2.
Stakeholders are various groups who are all affected by and involved in the life cycle of a product. Sustainability is important to the manufactures because if the abundance of a material is reduced, the production of the product will be limited and therefore the profits will be affected. During the process of manufacturing waste products may be produced. Disposal of waste products must be carried out under strict government guidelines, which costs money, manufacturers would want as little waste products produced as possible to maintain their profits. Anything that would affect the sustainability for the manufacturer would consequently affect the designer because if the product is unsustainable he would not be able to sell his idea to the manufacturer. Consumers these days are becoming more aware of the environmental issues surrounding the production of goods, but also products that are readily available and can be easily replaced are in higher demand by consumers, sustainability of goods are therefore important to the consumer.
3.
As a designer sustainability, to me, is vitally important. If a product I design is unsustainable then any manufacturer will be unwilling to produce the product for it will not be cost affective. Environmentally friendly designs are also important to me as any product that is made from non renewable sources will affect the life of manufacture and also its popularity with the consumer will be increased. My designs need to make money, if I am unable to sell a design I will not be able to afford to carry on designing. Any unsustainable products being produced from my designed could cause environmental damage, such as deforestation, that may take years to replenish.
4.
If the product I was to produce was a bar stool, some of the sustainability issues relating to its production would be –
Are the raw materials used in the production of the stool readily available and renewable such as wood from Forestry Commission managed land?
Will the production of my product cause pollution while being made or whilst any waste products are being disposed of, such as pollution from the use of electricity used in sawing the wood?
Will the production of packaging for my product cause more pollution and how can this be reduced?
Is the packaging material made from recyclable or replenish able material?
Will advertising through the TV cause pollution buy the use of electricity, or if advertised in newspapers will the ink used cause pollution when disposed of.
Will the product be recyclable, biodegradable or if it is un recyclable how will the product be disposed of in the most environmentally sound way.