If you have already heard about Ecodesign you will know how this concept is linked to the circular economy and the fundamental role played by recycling and recovery of materials.
The use of biodegradable and reusable materials, renewable energy sources, the selection of raw materials in the production cycles, are just some of the principles on which Ecodesign is based.
For some time now, this philosophy has revolutionised markets and has been increasingly successful among customers, who are increasingly attentive to environmental and climate issues.
Several designers and manufacturers, inspired by the new need to contribute to a cleaner environment, are working to share this value.
In this article we will talk about the benefits of Ecodesign, how it works. We will also discover which materials represent the future of the sustainable economy.
What is Ecodesign and how it works
Ecodesign means an ethical choice expressed through the creation of responsible objects or services, that take into account the well-being of the environment and society.
The main purpose of ecological design is to consider the environmental impact that a product has throughout its life cycle, from its conception to its disposal.
To achieve this goal, it uses materials:
Non-toxic
Reusable
Recyclable
Durable
Biodegradable
In this sense, Ecodesing and the Circular Economy represent two fundamental building blocks for a sustainable economy.
The aim is to reconcile technical, practical and economic aspects in the design phase, but with the aim of minimizing environmental and social impact.
This takes into account the entire life cycle of the product and its components.
A job that would be impossible without taking into account the ecological issues of our time. Products, economic models, cities, linear systems are redesigned and rethought based on real and important issues, such as:
Depletion of natural resources
Impact of extraction
Pollution of the production process
Increase in waste
From the beginning of the entire production process, design and design must ensure that all these points are respected. The variables related to the product, such as its functionality, technical characteristics and the materials of which it is composed must comply with sustainability criteria, from birth to disposal.
Ecodesign: 3 eco-friendly materials to focus on
In recent years there has been a progressive use of eco-friendly materials in products marketed, in furnishings and also in buildings.
Wood and aluminum have become symbols of a link between nature and progress that must be found at all costs. Often combined in ecodesign, they opened the doors to the use of other materials.
Taking into account the principles of non-toxicity, recyclability, reusability, durability and biodegradability, we chose those that stood out for simplicity.
1. Hemp
Among all the materials hemp is the most amazing, it is natural and can be used in many different.
Widely used for the production of plant tissues, having a fibrous composition, a quality that makes it very versatile even in nutrition and cosmetics.
It can also be worked in the form of resin, so much so that Henry Ford came to use it for the design of a bodywork.
It is used in construction, as insulation, or in the preparation of mortar. Its fiber can be an alternative to wood cellulose for the production of paper or plastic for packaging.
2. The Bamboo
Bamboo is a material that is not really a novelty for Eastern populations, whose economies for millennia are based on this fantastic plant.
Also known as "green steel", it is a valid alternative to wood. Moreover, its eco-sustainability is strengthened by its very rapid development. It has a short maturation time, about 3-4 years, drastically reducing the risk of deforestation. It also does not need pesticides or fertilizers, but only rainwater.
This resistant and flexible material is sometimes used as a substitute for concrete. In addition, it hardly scratches, which is not a small quality, which makes it a perfect material for parquet, being also waterproof.
5. The Glass
Glass is a natural and 100% recyclable material, without compromising quality. Glass embodies the idea of a sustainable container and is always the first choice for health and environmental conscious consumers.
Glass, in fact, is considered the reference model for the circular economy, the purpose of which is the collection of raw materials from the environment, the minimization of waste production and the enhancement of product life. Glass packaging is not destroyed and can be reused.
It is no coincidence that the production of glass jars, which meets the needs of food safety and the demand for environmental sustainability of consumers, also increases, even if not in step with that of bottles.
Of those that go under our hands 9 out of 10 are recycled. A more eco-friendly material is really hard to find.
The use of materials in sustainable design H-2
Calculating the environmental impact of a material, when designing a product, means keeping in contrast several specifications that concern it.
In this context comes into play the sustainable design, also known as conscious design, which can be summarized in 3 basic concepts:
Cyclical nature of production
Use of renewable energy
production safety in environmental protection.
This type of design implies a conscious choice of materials, giving value to certifications, reuse and recycling. Sex mode imposes as an objective to limit harmful emissions and ensure safe production.
What sustainable design can guarantee to the company that decides to adopt it are lower costs in terms of environmental impact and waste production.
The products that are mostly used in sustainable design are natural, although we also find plastics and chemical derivatives in some proposals. They are often materials that come from recycling processes, which are part of the eco-sustainability criteria as they reduce the amount of waste in circulation.
Thank you for reading this article, we hope it has been helpful. If you are looking for more facts about the Green world visit our blog. If instead you want to buy recycled glass products and support a 100% eco-friendly company, try to take a look at the products in our store.
Article edited by Renato Sarlo
