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iF trend exhibition 2020: Sustainability

Sustainability as a basic prerequisite for production: the manufacturing and recycling process is already taken into consideration when the idea for a product is born. As a natural building block, not as a decorative addition. All the design disciplines lay claim to this. In addition to packaging, which is obviously to be reduced, the fields of communication, architecture and service are also called upon to demonstrate sustainability and raise awareness of it. From local action to the 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations – responsibility for the fair use of our natural resources lies with each individual.

Five Design Highlights of Sustainability

2.8 billion. An inconceivable number. Especially since it quantifies the number of disposable cups used in Germany alone in 2019. Despite different deposit systems, even at major events. Recyclable cups made of bamboo, compostable CPLA or other innovative raw material compounds can conserve resources if they are already grown sustainably. Different plant materials are used for the Tumbler in the forest, additionally halving the consumption of petroleum-based resins.
Tumbler in the forest (Panasonic Corporation, Japan) | Eco-friendly beer tumblers for outdoor use

2.8 billion. An inconceivable number. Especially since it quantifies the number of disposable cups used in Germany alone in 2019. Despite different deposit systems, even at major events. Recyclable cups made of bamboo, compostable CPLA or other innovative raw material compounds can conserve resources if they are already grown sustainably. Different plant materials are used for the Tumbler in the forest, additionally halving the consumption of petroleum-based resins.

Acting sustainably also means optimizing things and adapting to the latest findings. This poses a particular challenge to companies, as entire production lines and supply chains are converted as a result of the decisions made. Flexible logistics structures are more important than ever before. The Retap ApS bottle made of environmentally friendly borosilicate glass now only gets four differently sized paper inserts for its collection for customer information. As a result, the product itself becomes the outer packaging – and this has saved tons of resources.
Retap ApS (Retap ApS, Denmark) | Non-packaging

Acting sustainably also means optimizing things and adapting to the latest findings. This poses a particular challenge to companies, as entire production lines and supply chains are converted as a result of the decisions made. Flexible logistics structures are more important than ever before. The Retap ApS bottle made of environmentally friendly borosilicate glass now only gets four differently sized paper inserts for its collection for customer information. As a result, the product itself becomes the outer packaging – and this has saved tons of resources.

The cargo bike is becoming increasingly popular as a climate-neutral means of transport. While difficulty in steering and pedal resistance spoke against the alternative to the car in the beginning, general acceptance has increased rapidly in big cities with the development of the bikes in an electric version. No need to search for a parking space, fresh air, cargo and children always in plain view up front. The BLACK IRON HORSE electric cargo bike is also convincing with the sustainability of its material: both the box and the seats are made of recycled materials, which also significantly reduces the CO2 footprint.
BLACK IRON HORSE (Black Iron Horse A/SCargo Bike, Denmark) | Electric cargo bike

The cargo bike is becoming increasingly popular as a climate-neutral means of transport. While difficulty in steering and pedal resistance spoke against the alternative to the car in the beginning, general acceptance has increased rapidly in big cities with the development of the bikes in an electric version. No need to search for a parking space, fresh air, cargo and children always in plain view up front. The BLACK IRON HORSE electric cargo bike is also convincing with the sustainability of its material: both the box and the seats are made of recycled materials, which also significantly reduces the CO2 footprint.

Some products require secure packaging for transport to protect such sensitive items as electronic components. Awareness of the need to minimize the use of plastics and the increased use of paper and cardboard, also as filling materials, are now widespread in the industry, whereby experimental folding structures with new statics play a very important role. With the One Paper Box, one paper or one piece of corrugated cardboard is used for the complete outer packaging. Without any further elements, this is packaging technology that displays responsibility!
One Paper Box (Xiaomi Corporation, China) | Packaging Structure

Some products require secure packaging for transport to protect such sensitive items as electronic components. Awareness of the need to minimize the use of plastics and the increased use of paper and cardboard, also as filling materials, are now widespread in the industry, whereby experimental folding structures with new statics play a very important role. With the One Paper Box, one paper or one piece of corrugated cardboard is used for the complete outer packaging. Without any further elements, this is packaging technology that displays responsibility!

“Getting all decked out” – that’s what people used to say when they bought new clothes for the season, usually in the spring and in the fall. In between, you just had to put patches on your pant legs and cuffs on your sleeves. Along with globalization, the relocation of production and the change in culture to buying new styles at any time came the textile flood. It is still difficult to feed used clothing into a recycling system. Too many different components, too much effort required to create a flawless new fiber. With the digital RFID for Circular Fashion: RFID from Tag to Yarn Innovation, not only can manufacturing processes be made transparent for customers, but the individual components can also be separated according to their material.
RFID for Circular Fashion: RFID from Tag to Yarn (Taiwan Textile Research Institute, Taiwan) | Tech Fiber / Smart Materials

“Getting all decked out” – that’s what people used to say when they bought new clothes for the season, usually in the spring and in the fall. In between, you just had to put patches on your pant legs and cuffs on your sleeves. Along with globalization, the relocation of production and the change in culture to buying new styles at any time came the textile flood. It is still difficult to feed used clothing into a recycling system. Too many different components, too much effort required to create a flawless new fiber. With the digital RFID for Circular Fashion: RFID from Tag to Yarn Innovation, not only can manufacturing processes be made transparent for customers, but the individual components can also be separated according to their material.

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See all curated entries in Sustainability

>> Find more interesting entries of seven further trends here:

Healthy Living  ·  Holistic Nature  ·  Information Intelligence  ·  Urban Mobility  ·  Smart Living  ·  User Experience  ·  Working Environments 

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