Online sustainable design kit launched
Design Victoria has launched Sustainable by Design, a practical online
sustainability ‘how to’ kit for small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
Developed by industry experts, including Professor Lyndon Anderson,
deputy dean of Swinburne’s Faculty of Design, the user-friendly
resource shows Victorian SMEs and manufacturers how to approach
sustainability issues in a commercial setting.
According to Michele Azzopardi, Director, Design Victoria, sustainable
design can deliver significant benefits for business. “Design for
sustainability is about delivering the best results possible without
compromising quality or the environment or unnecessarily increasing
costs,” she said.
Victoria is home to a great number of businesses and manufacturers
where sustainable design initiatives can have a great impact on the
environment - and the business’ bottom line.”
Azzopardi believes it is important for businesses to recognise that
sustainable design does not dismiss the fundamental principles of
design-led innovation in favour of environmental gains. “Rather, it is
a valuable input that can blend positive environmental features into the
design process without compromising product quality, functionality,
reliability, aesthetics, costs or marketability,” she said.
Sustainability has become an integral part of the competitive landscape
that requires companies to seek continual improvement through smart,
effective and efficient strategies. Sustainable by Design covers:
Greening the supply chain - ways to make sustainable procurement a
reality
How to maximise water efficiency and consume less
Reduce, reuse and recycle - waste avoidance and materials efficiency
Transport and logistics - moving goods, services and people
Energy efficiency - minimising the business’ carbon footprint
Best-practice environmental marketing and communications.
Sustainable by Design also provides links to industry programs and
agencies for further information and support.
Sustainable by Design was developed in collaboration with industry
experts and organisations including Swinburne University of Technology,
Buzz Creative Product Agency, Viola Design, Sustainability Victoria, WSP
Environmental, VECCI and Centre for Design at RMIT University.
The online kit can be accessed at:
http://www.designvic.com/sustainabilitykit.aspx
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