Whether it’s getting to grips with new legislation or finding ways to try out new ideas, there a many challenges associated with the creative use of materials
The environmental impact of consumerism in the form of products and packaging is forcing governments to produce new initiatives to deal with excessive waste. Increasing pressure is being placed on manufacturers and retailers by regulations for the disposal and recycling of products. One of the key requirements will be that a piece of packaging should be limited to a single substrate.
Using external materials and design consultants is an obvious consideration but there are many businesses that rely completely on in-house resources to bring products to market. There may better alternatives to the materials you are currently using. It might be worth considering using consultants who can help you to locate specific materials. Consultants can rationalise not just the product, but also the production process and the best materials for the project.
Do you have a policy within the company for materials and ecological issues? It is worth setting up guidelines for the use of materials which brings designers' and suppliers' attention to the issues concerning responsible use of materials. This could include fixing mechanisms, adhesives and electrical components, and stretch to assembly and labour costs or distribution. Several retailers already have a strategy for informing all parties involved in bringing a product to production. These are presented in the form of a document and briefings/meetings to discuss how existing products could have been produced more ecologically and economically.
How do you reinforce the importance and relevance for the appropriate consideration of materials within an organisation? How do you make sure that employees are thinking about materials on a level, which is integral to their work rather than an after-thought? Do you have a recycling scheme, which in a very simple way reinforces the importance of environmental issues?
How well do you practise what you preach by using materials within your environment? It is well-known that wood and other natural materials have the ability to create a calming, relaxing effect on people. How would it change your working environment to have a floor that was more like an outdoor decking than a scratchy grey carpet?
For instance, softwoods can be an amazingly resilient material. Think of the old Routemaster London buses with wooden flooring or the treads on steps of old railway stations with tiny squares of end grain wood. Traditional and new materials can underline the values of a company and also create a stimulating working environment.
If you are a manufacturer, supplier or retailer, how prepared are you to deal with new legislation for disposal of waste from packaging and redundant products? This new legislation is constantly being introduced and updated to place greater responsibility on manufacturers to manage a product from inception to disposal. Taking this into account equips companies with a far-sighted approach to product development and can provide added value for customers.