Environmental issues

Electronic product designers should seek to use technology in a responsible way, which means (among other things) taking into account the impact a product is likely to have on the environment. For this reason, designers should have an awareness of key environmental issues, and know about the main regulations on environmental protection, recycling etc.

Impact on the environment.

There are various ways that design can impact on the environment these include:-.

Use of natural resources

Use of natural resources

A renewable resource is one which can be renewed in a relatively short time. Timber from managed softwood forests is renewable, because these trees can be re-grown in a few years. Hardwood timber is non-renewable, as these trees take hundreds of years to be replaced and the forests where they grow are disappearing.

By-products

By-products: Office Waste

Most manufacturing processes produce various kinds of waste as a by-product. Sometimes these by-products contain toxic substances which are harmful to people or the environment.

Biodegradability

Biodegradability: Plastic cutlery

Biodegradable materials decompose relatively quickly into naturally-occuring substances - as opposed to non-biodegradable ones (eg most plastics) that take many years to decompose. This is an especially important factor when considering packaging materials, which are usually thrown way without any further use.

Recyclability

Recyclability

Recyclable materials are ones which can be easily and cheaply reprocessed to fulfill another use. Examples of recycled materials include card and paper, metals and thermoplastics. Manufactured boards should be made from reconstituted and recycled timber.

Technology used in a responsible way

• What impact will the product have on the environment?
• Can use be made of recycled resources?
• Can non-renewable resources be reduced?
• Can waste be re-used?
• Can bio-degradable products be used?
• Is the design energy efficient?
• Are there any toxic waste products?
• Are there any harmful components in the design?

Dangerous materials

Apart from thinking about any harmful by-products, designers should avoid using materials in their products which may be harmful to people and animals. Components in toys which are small enough to swallow, or a model finished with a paint containing lead are both examples. Such materials may seem innocent enough during the design stage - only becoming obvious as hazards when a child chokes on the component or is poisoned by the lead.