1. Sustainable Product Design
New Zealand Society of Sustainability Engineering and Science Conference, Auckland
Alice Wilson
Senior Operator, Sustainable Industry Group,
Ministry for the Environment
22 February 2007

2. Presentation Overview
Sustainable Product Design
Ministry for the Environment
Approaches
Future Direction
Top 3 ideas

3. Sustainable Product Design?

4. What?

5. Why?
“Why shouldn’t New Zealand aim to be the first country which is truly sustainable – not by sacrificing our living standards, but by being smart and determined?
We can now move to develop more renewable energy, biofuels, public transport alternatives, and minimise, if not eliminate, waste to landfills.
I believe that sustainability will be a core value in 21st century social democracy.”
Helen Clark, October 2006

6. …But Why?

7. Consumer Awareness

8. So what are we doing? Networks and workshops Tools and resources
Showcasing good practice
Building capacity
Mainstreaming
Exploring path-breaking innovation

9. Progress?
Design content on Simply Sustainable (
Partnership with Designers’ Institute (DINZ), including Best Design Awards.
Articles for ProDesign – Focus on Sustainability
Virtual network of interested practitioners

10. More Progress? Building links with Better By Design
Linking with Govt3 and sustainable procurement
‘Telling the story’ of sustainable product design

11. Formway Case Study “At Formway we continually look for
ways we fulfil our mission to be a leading company in environmental performance. Formway is a design-led company and we firmly believe that excellent design and making sustainable decisions go hand in hand.”
ALAN BUCKNER – CEO, FORMWAY

12. Looking Forward

13. Questions?
Alice Wilson