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Creating a product uses resources that can have an impact on the environment, including raw materials and energy. Global warming and increased energy costs have led designers to consider the environmental impact of products and how they can be redesigned without affecting function.

When creating sustainable designs, designers should try to use:

• biodegradablematerials - this includes food scraps, cotton, wool, wood and biodegradable plastics. Carbon emissions are minimal in the production of biodegradable plastics, but there is a risk of contamination when they are recycled
• renewable energy - this includes solar, wind, water, tidal and biomass; these methods often produce energy that doesn’t pollute the environment, but initial installation costs can be high and the energy can be weather dependent, eg wind and solar
• less material or reduce waste - techniques such as nesting can help to reduce waste, but it may not be possible to reduce or substitute materials and create a similar standard product
• recyclable or reusable materials - many materials are not very sustainable, eg non-biodegradable plastics are made from oil, but alternatives are available and will mean less disposal