What are some examples of sustainable product design that have been successful? (2024)

One of the biggest sources of waste and pollution is the packaging of products, especially plastic. Biodegradable packaging is a type of sustainable product design that uses natural or organic materials that can decompose or be composted after use. For example, Ecovative Design uses mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, to create packaging materials that are strong, lightweight, and biodegradable. Another example is Paptic, a Finnish company that makes paper-like packaging from wood fibers that can be recycled or biodegraded.

Another way to reduce waste and extend the life of products is to design them in a modular way, meaning that they can be easily assembled, disassembled, repaired, or customized. Modular furniture is a type of sustainable product design that allows users to adapt their furniture to their changing needs and preferences, without having to buy new pieces. For example, Modos is a system of connectors and boards that can be used to create various types of furniture, such as shelves, desks, or benches. Another example is OpenDesk, a platform that connects designers, makers, and users of open-source furniture that can be downloaded and fabricated locally.

One of the main challenges of sustainable product design is to reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of products, especially electronic devices. Solar-powered devices are a type of sustainable product design that use renewable energy from the sun to operate or charge. For example, WakaWaka is a social enterprise that makes solar-powered lamps and chargers that provide light and power to people in off-grid areas. Another example is Solight Design, a company that makes collapsible solar lanterns that are lightweight, durable, and water-resistant.

One of the most innovative and fun examples of sustainable product design is edible cutlery, which is exactly what it sounds like: cutlery that you can eat after using. Edible cutlery is a type of sustainable product design that aims to eliminate the use of disposable plastic cutlery, which is a major source of environmental pollution and health hazards. For example, Bakeys is an Indian company that makes edible spoons, forks, and chopsticks from sorghum, rice, and wheat flours, with different flavors and colors. Another example is Loliware, a US company that makes edible cups and straws from seaweed and organic sweeteners.

One of the most wasteful and polluting industries is the fashion industry, which produces large amounts of textile waste, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Circular fashion is a type of sustainable product design that aims to create a closed loop of production, consumption, and disposal of clothing and accessories, where nothing is wasted or discarded. For example, Eileen Fisher is a clothing brand that collects and resells its used garments, or transforms them into new designs through a process called Renew. Another example is Elvis & Kresse, a accessories brand that rescues and repurposes materials such as fire hoses, leather scraps, and parachute silk into bags, belts, and wallets.

One of the most inspiring and creative examples of sustainable product design is biomimetic design, which is the imitation of nature's forms, functions, and processes to solve human problems. Biomimetic design is a type of sustainable product design that can enhance the performance, efficiency, and sustainability of products, while also learning from and respecting nature. For example, Shinkansen is a high-speed train in Japan that mimics the shape of a kingfisher's beak to reduce noise and air resistance. Another example is Velcro, a fastening system that mimics the hooks and loops of burrs that stick to animal fur.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Sustainable Design

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