Meaning of Sustainable Design

Sustainable design is an approach that seeks to minimize negative environmental, social, and economic impacts to create products, services, or systems with minimal negative impacts. It addresses key environmental risks, including resource use, climate change, water management, toxicity, eutrophication, waste management, circularity, and various socio-economic issues such as animal welfare, wages, and workplace practices.

A sustainable design, regardless of the application, will seek to incorporate preferable outcomes such as:

• Reduce energy and water consumption throughout the lifecycle, from production to disposal.
• Minimize climate impact by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and adopting carbon-neutral practices.
• Use renewable and recycled materials, avoiding virgin fossil-based resources and promoting waste-free manufacturing.
• Limit waste through reduction, reuse, and recycling strategies.
• Protect and restore local ecosystems, incorporating biomimicry and preventing deforestation.
• Select non-toxic, human-friendly materials that support health and well-being.
• Ensure ethical practices, including animal welfare, fair wages, and transparent supply chains.
• Emphasize quality and durability over price.