As consumers become increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment, environmentally-friendly product design is becoming a top priority for many companies.
From manufacturing to packaging, servers to storage, designers and engineers are looking for new and innovative ways to reduce the environmental footprint of every part of the production process.
In this blog post, we will examine some of the trends and technologies that are shaping the future of environmentally-friendly product design. Just last year, Design Reality won the STEM Sustainability Award for our environmentally friendly reusable respirator design – Clir.
Sustainable materials
One of the key areas of focus in environmentally-friendly product design is the use of sustainable materials. This includes materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, and/or made from recycled content.
All sorts of products, from toothbrushes to cars are being designed using more environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo, cork, or recycled plastic.
In the future, we can expect to see even more innovative materials and technologies emerge that will help to reduce the environmental impact of product design.
Circular design
Circular design is a philosophy that focuses on creating products that can be reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled at the end of their useful life. This means designing products with longevity in mind, so that they can be used for as long as possible and then recycled when they can no longer be used.
This approach helps to reduce waste, conserve resources, and helps to create a more sustainable future.
Smart packaging
Smart packaging refers to packaging that is designed to be environmentally friendly and to reduce waste. This could include biodegradable packaging materials, recyclable or compostable packets, or packaging that uses minimal materials to reduce waste.
Supermarkets particularly are spearheading the war on packaging – with the four largest chains each having set ambitious targets to reduce unnecessary waste.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important aspect of environmentally-friendly product design. This includes the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to power products and production processes.
In the future, we can expect to see even more products that are powered by purely by renewable energy, from small appliances to entire homes.
Environmentally-friendly product design is becoming an increasingly important consideration for everyone in the supply chain. From manufacturers to designers, engineers to consumers.
From the use of sustainable materials, to the implementation of circular design principles, and the adoption of renewable energy sources, the future of environmentally-friendly product design is looking bright. But there’s lots of hard work still to be done.
As an award-winning Product Design Agency, with an in-house team of specialists, designers and electrical engineers, get in touch today to see how we can help your next project be more green.
