Sustainability

This evening we had our sustainability presentations that went reasonably well.. Some groups presented very very interesting things. Basically we had to (in groups of 4-5) choose a product, be it electrical or not, and analyse it, take it apart, bring it to its simplest form. Then ask questions about the extraction of raw materials used to produce your chosen product, do they use socially acceptable substances that pose no health hazards? are emissions avoided?, do they minimise energy input and material input? etc.. then we moved on to the production of the product, is pre consumer waste minimised? do they prefer regional suppliers along the whole supply chain.. etc.. then the use and services.. does it create user benefits? is it an appropriate design? and then finally is it designed for longevity or is it a short-lived product. Next we'll move on to creating and thinking of ways to improve the product and make it more eco-friendly. Or suggest alternative ways of recycling the products etc..and then finally we have to make this new product..