Momentum Behind Eco-Design Grows
The International Herald Tribune notes that there is a "newfound corporate enthusiasm for sustainability":
"BMW began the year by offering to take its old cars back for free, and to dispose of them responsibly. Marks & Spencer unveiled a £200 million, or $394 million, "eco-plan," followed days later by a similar announcement from its rival British retailer, Tesco. The French luxury group, PPR, has opened a sustainable laboratory near Paris to manufacture organic skin care products for the Stella McCartney brand. As sustainability climbs the corporate agenda, it is poised to become one of the most important issues in design."
But, as the article reveals, the design process is still largely driven by cost:
"Designers can make enlightened suggestions about using recyclable materials or facilitating disposal, but, if they want the job, they have to work within the brief and budget."
Thankfully, it appears that the concept of sustainable design is gaining a stronger foothold on the corporate agenda - with the help of consumer pressure, negative publicity, and legislative moves such as Europe’s WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directives.
""Ultimately sustainability’s shift from the margins to the mainstream will come from enlightened self-interest," David Kester, chief executive of Britain’s Design Council, predicted. "And as companies, like M&S, are adopting what we call the ‘triple bottom line’ of sustainable development by balancing social, environmental and economic factors, sustainability will become integral to good design.""
The article also includes some very interesting developments in product design:
"Sony is experimenting with "natural" plastics made from organic materials, like cornstarch, to use in cellphones. Apple has introduced compact packaging for the iPod Nano and Shuffle to reduce waste."
+ Source
+ Previously: Briefing session on Voluntary Packaging Agreement 2007
+ Also see: Life cycle analysis
+ Also see: Cradle-to-cradle case studies
