Examples Of Sustainable Practices In Product Design

What if redesigning something as simple as an electric kettle could make a difference for our planet? The global electric kettle market was valued at ~ USD 20 billion in 2023. In a case study on the standard electric kettle, massive improvements were made using the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodologies to help increase energy efficiency that could be applied to this massive global market. What is DFSS? In short: these are a set of methodologies used in product/process design to achieve the highest quality and customer satisfaction. And yet, it is harmonious with sustainable design. Here's how this common appliance was redesigned for energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability: ☕️ Sleek stainless steel construction instead of plastic ⛽️ Innovative flat heating element that cuts electricity usage 💧 Inner water chamber that prevents the outer surface from heating up ♻️ Fully recyclable materials 💡 Intuitive temperature to control boiling water precisely Using DFSS principles, the redesigned kettle: ✅Nearly halved its carbon footprint ✅Reduced total energy consumed from 960 MJ to 340 MJ ✅Reduced air acidification 💥While still significantly reducing the cost per product and assembly time! Smart design practices make a difference, to both our commercial needs and the environment. More everyday products can balance user needs, business viability, and environmental responsibility. What other sustainable design methodologies do you follow? Which products do you think can be improved? Share below!

What if we could design a future where waste doesn’t exist? 🌍 Let me tell you a story. Every year, 2.2 billion tons of waste are dumped globally. That’s like filling 800,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools with trash. And it’s only getting worse. With population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes, waste could double in the next 15–20 years. At the same time, raw material prices have skyrocketed by 150% since 2000. This isn’t just an environmental issue it’s an economic and social one. The way we produce, consume, and dispose of things is simply unsustainable. But what if there was a better way? Enter the circular economy. Instead of the “take-make-waste” model, we design products and systems that keep materials in use, regenerate natural systems, and create value without depleting resources. Here’s how we can start moving toward it: 🔹 Design for recovery: Products need to be made from materials that can be easily recovered, reused, and remanufactured. Think modular designs that allow components to be upgraded or replaced like Apple’s refurbished devices, which are repaired, upgraded, and resold with a warranty. 🔹 Rethink ownership: What if we leased products instead of buying them? Car-sharing services and carpet-tile leasing are already showing how this can work. It’s about accessing the service a product provides, not owning the product itself. 🔹 Invest in smarter recycling: Technologies like infrared lasers are already being used to sort plastics by type, creating pure resin streams that can be reprocessed into new materials. This is the kind of innovation we need to scale. 🔹 Restore, don’t deplete: We need to rebuild soil fertility, restore ecosystems, and create a restorative economy. This isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about leaving the planet better than we found it. 🔹 Price in the true cost: Right now, the environmental and social costs of production like pollution and resource depletion aren’t reflected in prices. If they were, consumers and businesses could make better, more informed choices. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has a fantastic resource called Towards a Circular Economy that dives deeper into this. It’s a 20-page read, but it’s worth every minute if you’re serious about understanding the business case for this transition. How can my company design products with end-of-life in mind? How can we use recycled materials in our supply chain? #CircularEconomy #Sustainability

A Mexican company named Biofase has gained global attention for its innovative and eco-friendly approach to reducing plastic waste. Founded by chemical engineer Scott Munguia, Biofase has developed a groundbreaking technology that turns discarded avocado seeds into biodegradable plastic. This plastic is then used to manufacture everyday items such as cutlery, straws, and other single-use products. What makes Biofase's solution truly remarkable is the sustainability of its process. Mexico is one of the largest producers of avocados in the world, and avocado seeds are typically discarded as waste. By repurposing these seeds, Biofase not only reduces agricultural waste but also offers an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The resulting bioplastic products decompose completely within 240 days, even in natural environments like soil or landfills. This is in sharp contrast to traditional plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down and often pollutes oceans and landscapes. Biofase’s products are already being exported to several countries, including the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and Peru. With the growing global demand for sustainable materials, the company is expanding its production to meet both domestic and international needs. The success of Biofase demonstrates the potential for green innovation in developing countries and highlights how natural resources can be used responsibly. Their mission is not only to combat plastic pollution but also to create a circular economy where waste is transformed into valuable, eco-friendly products. Biofase is a perfect example of how science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship can come together to make a positive impact on the planet. #Biofase #AvocadoPlastic #EcoInnovation #SustainableCutlery #BiodegradableStraws #PlasticAlternative #GreenTechnology #ZeroWasteSolution #MexicanInnovation #SaveThePlanet

We’re focused on making our products efficient and long-lasting. As designers we prioritize creating solutions with infinite possibilities. From the materials we choose, to the way we ship, to the longevity of our products, it's really about making a complete solution for our customers. Let's look at each stage in a product’s lifecycle: 1. Material Innovation: 100% of our PCs, workstations, displays and original HP toner cartridges use recycled materials that are widely recyclable at end of life, helping create a circular economy from the start. 2. Smarter Shipping: We’re improving logistics to reduce our carbon footprint, by redesigning the products to make packages smaller and lighter. 3. Eco-Friendly Packaging: By the end of 2025, 100% of all PC notebook packaging will be 100% compostable. 4. Customer engagement: We strive to create seamless product experiences by incorporating customer feedback and delivering solutions that meet their needs. 5. Reparability: We’re empowering customers to extend product lifespans with features such as replaceable batteries, keyboards, and upgradable cooling systems, designed for easy servicing. This not only simplifies maintenance but also aligns with the growing Right to Repair movement in Europe and beyond. 6. Second life: We prioritize creating durable products that can be returned, refreshed, and reintroduced into the world. Since 2019, we’ve used over 4 billion pounds of recycled and renewable materials in our products, waste, but we’re not done yet. We’re committed to designing technology that helps the planet, not just our customers, unlocking infinite possibilities for a sustainable future.