Sustainable products and services

In the UK, overall CO2 emissions linked to the consumption of goods and services increased by 18% between 1992 and 2004.

To reverse this situation, designers and manufacturers need to take responsibility for their products’ production, consumption and disposal.

In a truly green economy consumers will not have to choose between sustainable and unsustainable products.

Our approach

We want all products to fulfil minimum environmental standards which are raised in line with best available technologies and cutting-edge know-how.
In our view, sustainable products should be designed to:

• reduce material input
• substitute virgin with recycled materials
• reduce waste during manufacture and at end-of-life
• reduce energy and water use during the lifecycle
• be durable and upgradable
• be easily disassembled and recycled.

We know that product designers face ever-changing consumer tastes, fashion trends, technological advances and costs constraints. But it is vital that designers, retailers, consumers, local authorities and the recycling industry, work together to eliminate waste at all stages of the product lifecycle.  

Our work

We have worked with several UK blue chip businesses to find recycling solutions for problematic waste streams such as aerosol cans and other waste packaging.

We have also engaged with companies’ consumers to encourage more sustainable consumption.

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