2. Introduction
• Most of us are aware that we must look after
our environment or we maybe leaving a lot
of problems for future generation.
• For example we should not waste materials
or energy. We should also recycle things like
paper, drink cans and other materials
• However, there is much more we can do to
protect and preserve our environment.
3. What is Sustainability?
• Sustainability is about preserving the Earth's
natural resources.
• It is about using these resources carefully so
that they will be available for generations to
come. You can help to preserve the
• Earth's resources when designing products by
considering:
– materials usage
– production methods
– after-use disposal
4. Material Usage
• The source of most of the materials we use
today comes from nature. Some sources are:
– trees, which we can obtain wood from
– ores, which we can extract metals from
– oil , which we can use to make plastics
• Some sources have taken millions of years to
develop and cannot be renewed once they are
used up. Thus, you must be conscious of the
materials you choose and use to help in
preserving the Earth's resources.
5. Recycled Materials
• Making new products from used materials
is called recycling.
• Designers often choose recycled materials for
new products so that the Earth's resources are
preserved.
6. Renewable Sources
• Exotic wood , like rosewood and teak, may look
good but the trees that produce them are in
danger of becoming extinct. Thus, designers
nowadays avoid using rare and exotic woods.
• Some wood come from trees that are common
and grow quickly. These trees
are renewable source of wood.
This means that new wood is
“grown” at the same rate or
faster than it is being used.
7. Biodegradable Materials
• Some materials are designed to break down
safely into the raw materials of nature when
they are left out in the open. These are called
biodegradable materials.
• Products made from
these materials
eventually disintegrate
and pose less litter
problems.
8. Production Method
• During the manufacture of some materials like
metals and plastics, harmful substances can
sometimes be released into the environment.
• Many countries have legislation to minimise these
emissions. Therefore, designers should focus on
ideas and products that require less harmful
chemicals and processes in making them. They
should also design products with energy
conservation in mind.
9. Minimise Pollution
• Many factories use machines' powered by fossil fuels such as
coal , oil or gas. These fuels can produce harmful gases
and chemicals that pollute the environment.
• Scientists believe that the use of fossil fuels is partly to
blame for global warming. The gases produced trap the
sun's energy like a big greenhouse,
heating up the Earth .
• As the temperature of the Earth
increases, this alters the weather
patterns or climate. Some parts of
the world are getting much more
rain than ever before, while other
parts are becoming drier.
10. Use Clean Energy
• To help reduce global warming, we need to use alternatives to
fossil fuels. Natural energy is one alternative that does not produce
harmful gases or chemicals and is safe for the environment. It is
also known as clean energy.
• Some machines are powered by clean energy. In some countries,
windmills make use of wind power to grind flour and water wheels
make use of energy from running water to power machines in textile
mills.
• Vehicles powered by clean energy
are becoming popular. Instead of
using petroleum, these 'green' cars
are powered by clean energy source
such as hydrogen, thus producing
little or 110 harmful exhaust gases.
11. Use Renewable Energy
• Fossil fuels are not renewable; once they are used, they
will be gone forever. Some energy sources will always
be available; they are called renewable energy sources.
Examples of renewable energy are energy from the Sun
and wind.
• Energy from the Sun is called solar energy. Solar energy
is converted into electricity using a solar panel.
• Solar panels work in all kinds of conditions (from
cloudy skies to bright sunshine) as long
as there is sunlight. So, in order to have
electricity available at night, the energy
from the Sun must be stored during the
day. The usual storage device is a
rechargeable battery.
12. Energy from the Wind
• Energy from the wind is converted into electricity
by a wind turbine.
• The wind turbine is a tall tower with a large
propeller on the top .
• Large wind turbines can power
our homes and factories
13. Reducing Waste
• You can do your bit to preserve resources by
salvaging parts from
• old products, such as wood from furniture or
motors from old toys for
• your projects.
• Some products are now designed in reusable
packaging to cut down
• on waste. The refills use less material than the
original product.
14. Reducing Waste
• Another way to conserve the Earth's resources is by reducing
wastage during the manufacture of products. You can avoid
wastage by:
– setting out clear material specifications
– marking out materials carefully
– using off-cuts of materials or using reclaimed materials where
possible
• For example, at your school workshop, you should mark
out your materials carefully before cutting them. This
will reduce material wastage.
15. After-use Disposal
• You must be conscientious in the way you dispose
of materials as it will affect the environment.
• As mentioned in the previous section, products
made from biodegradable materials would not
cause litter problem. Also, products that are
reusable or refillable help minimise the problem
of litter.
16. Recycling
• When you no longer need a product, recycle
it instead of just throwing it away. In this
way, the materials can be used again to
make other products. There are recycling
bins in many places for different materials to
make it convenient for you to recycle things.
