DISQUS

Bob · 1 year ago

In general I've found guilt an unsustainable motivator of behavior. Rather, it's more interesting to me to design products that can be used freely without harm, and not restrict how they can be disposed. The burden should be on the producers, not the consumers.

I'd recommend the book Cradle to Cradle if you're interested in how product design can change things for the better...

Matthew Jaunich · 1 year ago

interesting thought - thanks for the tip. Hopefully, producers will ultimately find a way to produce and distribute harmlessly, while still making a profit! I bet though that even those biodegradable plastic cups in the Google cafeteria have negative externalities in their production and distribution!

Peter Martin · 1 year ago

I have to say I rather stumbled on the, er, 'negative ex-thingies'. But a nice share, ta.

For any, like Bob, interested in mitigating efforts via design, may I point you at http://www.junkk.com, which tries to matchmake those with ideas for second uses with those keen not to throw stuff away if not necessary.

But I have to agree that the more potent notion is building this in from the off. If any are in the UK in March there is a show at the NEC called Innovative Packaging, with a sub-section called EcoPack, at which I am exhibiting (a bottle/jar cap re:evolutionary design called RE:tie) and also speaking on the joys of re:use!