1. AQA GCSE 4 The six Rs Design and Technology 8552 Unit 4
Common specialist technical principles 4

2. Objectives
Be aware of the role that consumers play in reducing waste and the demand on finite resources
Understand the hierarchy of options in responsible and sustainable design

3. What is sustainable design?
Sustainable design aims to reduce any negative impact on the environment, people and the planet
This can be applied across all fields of design such as architecture, product and even systems design
What do the products below have to do with sustainability?

4. Our responsibility
Consumers, manufacturers and designers have a responsibility to buy and create designs that are as sustainable as possible
What will happen if we don’t take our responsibility seriously?
Why do consumers and designers still make unsustainable decisions?

5. The six Rs
The six Rs are a set of strategies used to help make more sustainable decisions as a consumer and as a designer:
Refuse
Rethink
Reduce
Reuse
Repair
Recycle

6. Worksheet 4 Task 1 Match the six R words to the correct definitions
The six Rs will help you to design and analyse products

7. Recycling
Primary recycling is reusing without modification e.g. reusing a shopping bag
Secondary recycling is modifying a product for a different purpose e.g. making a bird feeder from a plastic bottle
Both of these involve re-use

8. Tertiary recycling
Tertiary recycling is reprocessing material from a product e.g. pulping paper and card to make new materials

9. Miniaturisation
Modern materials and composites are often lighter and stronger than traditional materials so less material is needed
Micro- and nano-technology means that electronic products are getting smaller and can be housed much more efficiently
Which R word does this relate to?

10. Upcycling There is a growing trend for upcycled products
These products are revamped to celebrate past fashions, industrial aesthetics and retro styling
Upcycled products are diverted from landfill and reduce the demand for new products

11. Planned obsolescence
Some designers and manufacturers make products that are only built to last a short amount of time
Why would designers do this?
Why is this particularly common in electronic products?

12. WEEE Directive
Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the UK
The Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive sets targets for the recycling of electrical items in the UK
Why is dealing with WEEE waste, such as batteries, important?
How does WEEE link to planned obsolescence?

13. The role of consumers
As consumers, we have little control over the design and manufacturing decisions made in industry
What actions can we take to reduce waste and the demand on finite resources?
Does it really make a difference?

14. Worksheet Task 2 Do I really make a difference?
A recent study shows that an individual’s actions can have a significant impact on climate change

15. Design decisions
To develop an idea into a final outcome, choices or design decisions need to be made
What aspects of a product do you consider when designing?
What if sustainability was your top priority?

16. Sustainable choices
Both of these products are designed to get you from A to B
Discuss which ‘R’ words are relevant to each?
Which do you think is the most sustainable solution? Why?

17. Worksheet Task 3
Both these products are designed to provide water to the user
Carry out a comparison of these two products using the six Rs
Which ‘R’ words are relevant here?
Which do you think is the most sustainable solution?
Why?

18. Case study: Nike
The Nike Better World ethos aims to create products with lower environmental impact
Nike jerseys are made from recycled polyester which reduces environmental impact and diverts waste from landfill
Nike Grind manufactures new products from old shoes and waste materials Nike Flyknit trainers have knitted uppers which reduces waste during manufacture

19. Hierarchy of sustainability
This system ranks the six Rs from worst to best in terms of their impact on the environment
Which of the six strategies would make the least environmental impact?

20. Hierarchy of sustainability
Working our way down this hierarchy we can make more sustainable design and buying choices
Why are Refuse and Rethink placed at the top?
What’s so bad about recycling?

21. Plenary Worksheet Task 4
Match up the different design choices and lifestyle choices to the hierarchy of sustainability
Add your own ideas for sustainability and match them to the hierarchy