Informing design decisions

Designers find out about the latest technologies and materials and are evaluated against this criteria:

• cost
• reliability
• longevity
• sustainibility
• recyclability

• ensuring a product only performs its task for a certain length of time
• some products are planned with deliberately short life spans
• appropriately engineered quality - the best material for a product that lasts a short period of time
• upgrading and function - product continuously upgraded, chance of new sales reduced, may not be value for money and sales may be lost
• technology push - manufacturers avoid producing goods that last for a long time as fashion and trends are constantly changing
• to keep market share - new products to keep ahead of competitors and customers feel they have to have the latest version

• most products designed to be disposed of at end of life
• manufacturers make more money when people have to buy a new one
• some products are manufactured to be too complex to be repaired at home - often require specialist tools
• companies want customers to buy a new product as soon as possible
• if a product breaks after guarantee has expired they may offer a discount on a new version
• keeps customers' business

• companies are increasingly aware of the need for social responsibility
• LCA conducted to see if a product effects the environment in a bad way
• includes sustainably sourcing components and materials
• ethical production

Reponsible end of life design should include:

• as few materials as possible
• recycled and recyclable materials where possible
• built-in reusability where possible
• easy-to-separate materials avoiding permenant bonding methods