You may have noticed an increase of popularity in sustainability, which is good news for all of us. There seems to be a global movement to be more conscious when it comes to the effect of our daily impact on earth. Major designers are becoming sustainable, forward thinking organizations are looking at sustainable practices as well.
But what is sustainability? And how are businesses to implement it in their daily routine? How can design introduce with sustainability? Let’s take a look.
Sustainability
Sustainability is “The quality of causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time”, affects the environment but also the creation of healthy and productive environments. Designers, architects, business owners, and Consumers are becoming conscious of the need of goods and services to be produced in ways that do not use resources that cannot be replaced. Luckily this movement seems to be growing and major organizations have already began taking an action.
Business are approaching sustainability is by providing access to daylight, using green materials, even designating quiet areas for employees to take brakes and recharge. Offices are using materials in their design that are meant to promote a calm environment. For example, allowing employees to have a designated area to complete their work outdoors promotes access to daylight which has known benefits of increase in cognitive function. By major organizations taking the route to sustainability, architects and designers are approaching designs that reduce negative impacts on the environment, and promote health and comfort of building occupants.
In architecture, an important goal is energy efficiency over the lifetime of a building. For example, a well-insulated building will require less heat generating. Also, using materials such as reclaimed lumber that helps to reduce the energy consumption that goes into manufacturing new materials. Pre fabricated materials that ship finished to site, reduce the volatile organic compounds and air quality concerns of traditional drywall.
Sustainability in design
In design, this year Milan Design Week incorporated sustainable design. This sets samples for future designers and promotes ways on how to incorporate sustainability to such prestigious and big events like this one . Designers used only sustainable materials, recycling and reusing plastic, banana plant fibers, biodegradable materials, recycled PET bottles and fiberglass designs that can be dismantled and repurposed once design week is over. Carlo Ratti, grew a series of arched structures from mycelium the fibrous root of mushrooms for his installation. The archways will be shredded after the installation viewing ends and be returned to earth as compost.
There is an increase in sustainable design practices, recycled materials are being used, vegan design is becoming more popular, designers are venturing in the use of innovative materials that are earth friendly. Ecological packaging is being considered for many brands.
And you may ask your self, how can I contribute to the sustainable movement? Well, there are many easy steps you can incorporate in your daily routine. Shopping local business reduces the demand on transportation, congestion and pollution. Using washable metal straws instead of disposable plastic. Refilling a glass bottle instead of buying bottled water, and by taking metal utensils for your lunch at work you are reducing the demand on plastic spoons and forks that go to waste on a regular basis.
Global Movement in Green New Deal
To cut consumption mindfully we gather some tips from a recent article published by Green New Deal / Home Edition, author: mikeymikey
Link: https://m.dailykos.com/stories/1880366
According to the article, when purchasing anything new, consider asking your self the following:
•Do I really need this?
•How much do I really need this?
•How soon will I tire of it?
•Do I already have something that can fulfill the same purpose?
•Is my purchase environmentally friendly?
•Before disposing something, consider if it can be repurposed
•Use cloth bags for shopping
•Turn off lights as you leave rooms
•Donate used clothes
•Before purchasing, consider how successful something can actually recycle
Recycling tips:
•Sort non-recyclables from recyclables and recycle according to type (plastic, glass, metal)
•Reduce size by crushing and folding to conserve room in the recycling bin (and truck)
And remember: The best recycling systems start small and build on sound foundations over time to become exemplary. As the saying goes – Rome wasn’t built in a day!
