Design to save the planet

Here we've collected case studies, how to guides and articles about how design can help reduce the environmental impact of the products and services we use every day.

 

Case study: Innocent drinks

Innocent claimed a world first by putting four of its fruit smoothie ranges in bottles made from 100% recycled PET

Nike Pegasus

Case study: Nike

Turning a classic trainer into a sustainable star for the future.

Remarkable pencils

Case study: Remarkable

Remarkable Pencils is an award-winning UK-based company which turns millions of polystyrene vending machine cups into pencils and other stationery products.

Unpackaged shop window

Case study: Unpackaged

We use packaging like it’s a never ending resource. Unpackaged, a North London social enterprise helps people use less unnecessary packaging. It worked with designers to create a local organic grocery store which helps local customers shop in a new packaging free way.

Vitsoe shelves in hallway

Case study: Vitsoe

How do you keep a company at the top of its game when product throughput is deliberately slow? Capitalise on your design strengths says Vitsoe.

Design Council policy statement

The Design Council believes that if government wants to develop a sustainable, low-carbon economy it should focus its efforts on raising awareness about the opportunities offered by low carbon careers, enable consumers and businesses to change their behaviour and help develop new business models and supply chains

Oxfam thrifty fashion

Fashion design: the sustainable future?

The future of fashion is set to be more sustainable, ethical, inclusive and all about the internet

Sainsbury's Organic packaging

Packaging design and sustainability

The packaging industry has been vilified over the years, not least on the subject of plastic bags. Yet, brands have always been looking for ways to reduce materials and maximise packaging for both environmental and financial reasons.

Craig Sams

Talk: Green & Blacks

Craig Sams, President of Green & Black's explains how design helped shoppers discover organic chocolate.

Jeff Denby

Talk: PACT

How design helped an ethical underwear brand identify their customers, define their values and create their products.

Steve Evans

Talk: Professor Steve Evans

How climate change is forcing companies to redesign their business models in order to stay competitive.

Hugo Spowers

Talk: Riversimple

How Riversimple designed a completely new car, and a completely new kind of business to go with it. 

Your comments

Interesting article, I remember being told that the triple bottom line was now the quadruple bottom line though? (Now including culture.) Vicky Teinaki, Designer, 15 May 2010
 
Thanks Vicky...We have a case of bottom-line inflation! My assumption is that the idea of social progress encompasses cultural, spiritual and ethical matters (it seems there are a few ideas aiming for the fourth spot). I have to say I think we should stick with three for the moment. Better to put all our effort into hitting three bottom lines than expend time and energy debating the fourth fifth and sixth. Mat Hunter, Chief Design Officer, Design Council, 19 May 2010

"Keep it simple" easier to understand and accept. I'm a simple man producing simple designs but it works. Best Design is "why didn't I think of that" always makes you smile................. Jeff Sacreé, CEO, 19 May 2010
 
I love the way that designers call into play the people and resources that they need to get things done - often through naive enquiry and by seeing things differently. We often don't seem to fully value what we have - just look at the emerging enterprise debate in Higher Education... we do seem to be ahead of the game! Professor Andy Penaluna, 12 June 2010