Design and Technology – Product analysis and evaluation | e-Consult
Product analysis and evaluation (1 questions)
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When designing a reusable water bottle, several environmental and ethical considerations are crucial. These should be addressed from material selection through to end-of-life disposal.
Environmental Considerations:
- Material Choice: The material should be sustainably sourced. Options include:
- Recycled Plastics: Using recycled PET or HDPE reduces reliance on virgin materials and lowers carbon footprint. However, the quality of recycled plastic can vary.
- Bio-plastics: Made from renewable resources like corn starch, bio-plastics are biodegradable under specific conditions. However, their biodegradability is often limited to industrial composting facilities.
- Stainless Steel: Durable and recyclable, stainless steel has a long lifespan, reducing the need for replacements. However, its production has a high initial energy demand.
- Manufacturing Processes: The manufacturing process should minimize waste and energy consumption.
- Lean Manufacturing: Employing lean principles to reduce material waste during production.
- Energy Efficiency: Using energy-efficient machinery and renewable energy sources in the factory.
- Water Usage: Minimizing water usage during manufacturing and treating wastewater appropriately.
- Transportation: Consider the environmental impact of transporting the bottle. Optimizing packaging and using efficient transportation methods can reduce carbon emissions.
- End-of-Life: Design for recyclability. Using a single material type simplifies the recycling process. Consider a take-back scheme to ensure bottles are properly recycled.
Ethical Considerations:
- Fair Labor Practices: Ensure that the manufacturing process takes place in factories with fair labor practices, including safe working conditions and fair wages. This might involve sourcing from factories with certifications like Fairtrade.
- Supply Chain Transparency: Traceability of materials to ensure they are sourced ethically and sustainably. This includes avoiding conflict minerals.
- Consumer Awareness: Provide clear information to consumers about the bottle's environmental impact and how to recycle it properly.
- Accessibility: Consider the price point to ensure the bottle is accessible to a wider range of consumers. A prohibitively expensive bottle could be seen as unethical.
By carefully considering these environmental and ethical factors, the student can design a water bottle that is both functional and responsible.