Sustainability

Today, sustainability is a non-negligible part of the design process. In order to make a sustainable coffee machine it is important to have an overview of what is not sustainable first. For this analysis the housing of the coffee machine is used. (Take a look at the coffee pods more than the machine itself).

Look into espresso coffee making system :

1. Plastics with Poor End-of-Life Management: Plastics that are not easily recyclable, contribute to environmental issues. Typical examples include PVC.

2. Mixed materials: These composites can include a mix of materials, such as plastics and metals, making separation and recycling more difficult. Example materials include PVC and thermoplastics.

3. Non-Biodegradable Materials: Materials that do not naturally break down over time and persist in the environment can contribute to long-term waste issues. Example materials include materials such as PVC.

4. Materials with High Environmental Impact: Certain materials may have a high environmental impact during their extraction, production, or transportation phases. The production of some plastics is a very toxic and environmentally unfriendly process. An example of such a hazardous material is PVC, which utilizes large amounts of mercury and other toxic substances for its production.

Now what materials make a design process sustainable :

1. Recycled Plastics: By utilizing plastics that have already been in use, the lifespan of sai plastic can be increased. This is useful as it means that the harmful and toxic production process can be omitted and replaced by a more environmentally friendly process. PE and PET correspond to some of the more known commonly recycled materials.

2. Biodegradable and Compostable Materials: Materials that break down naturally over time and can be composted are more environmentally friendly than non-biodegradable alternatives. Examples include Polylactic acid. This material can also be injection molded.

3. Renewable Materials: Housings made from renewable resources, such as bio-based plastics or bamboo, are considered more sustainable.