Revise Resource management and sustainable production for IB Design Technology (1.2)

The starting point for sustainable design is understanding the nature of the resources we use. Resources are broadly classified as renewable or non-renewable. Renewable resources, like timber or solar power, can be naturally replenished. Non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals, are finite and their extraction often causes significant environmental damage. A key concept is the difference between 'resources' (the total amount estimated to exist) and 'reserves' (the amount that is currently technically and economically feasible to extract).

For centuries, our economy has been predominantly linear: we take resources, make products, and then dispose of them as waste. This model is inherently unsustainable. The circular economy offers an alternative, aiming to eliminate waste and keep materials in continuous use. It is a systems-thinking approach that designs for durability, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, creating a closed-loop system.

To make informed decisions, designers need to quantify a product's environmental impact. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a systematic tool for doing this. It provides a 'cradle-to-grave' or 'cradle-to-cradle' assessment, evaluating inputs (energy, water, materials) and outputs (emissions, waste) at every stage of a product's life. The main stages are goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation.

Designers can employ several practical strategies to reduce resource consumption and waste. Dematerialisation involves achieving the same function with less material, for example, by creating lighter products or shifting to service-based models (like music streaming). Design for Disassembly (DfD) is crucial for the circular economy, involving the use of simple joints and modular parts so that products can be easily repaired, upgraded, or separated for recycling.