Green Products by Design

Book excerpt: Product design is an important environmental focal point, with design decisions directly and indirectly determining levels of resource use and the composition of waste streams. This report, addresses the importance of product design as a tool for reducing wastes and managing materials. It provides a conceptual overview of how designers might integrate environmental concerns with traditional design objectives, and how policymakers can best take advantage of such opportunities. Although the concept of "green" design is gathering momentum, technical, behavioral, and economic barriers need to be addressed. Illustrated.