Incorporating environmental principles into the design process

Abstract The effects of our everyday actions on the environment are coming under increasing scrutiny. Every product we produce, use and dispose of has a profound effect on the balance of the ecological systems around us. This problem is increasing at a considerable pace and something must be done soon. The practice of engineering is one of the largest contributors to the environmental problem and if something is to be done product design practices will have to adapt. This paper looks at the problems faced by designers in attempting to integrate environmental concerns into the design process. Existing design practices along with documented principles and frameworks are observed, the environmental considerations which need to be taken into account are outlined and mechanisms for attributing environmental cost to product life-cycles are defined. By showing how traditionally independent disciplines may be integrated into concurrent engineering practices this paper attempts to demonstrate the principles of Design for the Environment.