FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

SUSTAINABILITY
- It is the goal of maintaining a human society over time in ways that are fair and just
for all people, and do not damage the environment and its biodiversity.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
- It is a plan for the development of communities that balances the importance of a
vibrant economy and sustainability.
- The 3 elements of sustainable development the environment, society, and the
economy are competing interests.
- The point where they come together represents sustainable development.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
- These are the places where people lead lines of quality and dignity without
damaging the ecological system.

Human being is central to its effort to promote sustainable development.

- United Nations Environment and Development Program (UNEP)

WEAK SUSTAINABILITY
- This model accepts that many aspects of development serve the economy, society,
or the environment alone.
- It suggests that technology can be a substitute for a damaged environment.

STRONG SUSTAINABILITY
- The environmental element of sustainable development is viewed as the
common ground where the society and the economy interact and develop.
- Development cannot damage the environment.
- A healthy environment is fundamental to a just and fair society and a vibrant
economy now and in the future.

OUR PART AS ENGINEERS

Engineers play a very crucial role in improving living standards throughout the world. As a
result, engineers can have a significant impact on progress towards sustainable
development.
- World Federation of Engineering Organizations, 2002

We cant solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created
them.
- Albert Einstein

ABALA | DULCE | GRAZA | MAGNO | KOLLIN | VILLAMAR 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

ONE PLANET LIVING

- There are ten principles for one planet living that designers can use to plan
places and products that promote sustainable development.

1. ZERO CARBON
- The activity must produce net zero carbon dioxide emissions.
- Net zero means that the activity produces no carbon dioxide, or takes measure to
remove carbon dioxide it produces.

2. ZERO WASTE
- All materials must be used cleanly and recycled cleanly in a continuous cycle; or
they must be composted to re-enter ecological cycles.

3. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
- The movement of materials and products must be done in ways that are good for
the people and the environment.

4. LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

- Meet consumer demands by using materials that are locally sourced, and use
locally available technologies for recycling and reuse.

5. LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD

- Promotes and consumes food that support regional agriculture and food
industries, and minimize their use of non-renewable natural resources in the form of fossil
fuels used for transport and fertilizers.

6. SUSTAINABLE WATER
- Water use that promote human health and prevents water pollution, depletion of
fresh water, and harm to aquatic and marine ecosystems.

7. NATURAL HABITATS AND WILDLIFE

- The harvesting or mining of natural resources, and the construction of transport
routes, factories, warehouses, and retails centers, should not damage or degrade natural
habitats, or harm wildlife.

8. CULTURE AND HERITAGE

- Economic activities should honor and protect the culture and heritage of the
communities they affect, and local knowledge should be used to make decisions.

9. EQUITY AND FAIR TRADE

- Everyone involved in the development, distribution, sales, and recycling of
products, must be treated and paid fairly, and must have opportunities for a dignifide life.

10. HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

- Beyond the consumption of goods and services to meet basic human needs, there is
no correlation between consumption of wealth, and happiness.
ABALA | DULCE | GRAZA | MAGNO | KOLLIN | VILLAMAR 2
FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

DESIGNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY

DESIGNING FOR WEAK SUSTAINABILITY
- Consider the economic, social, and environmental strengths and weaknesses of their
design, but compromise to minimize potential environmental harm.

DESIGNING FOR STRONG SUSTAINABLITY

- Consider the economic, social, and environmental strengths and weaknesses of their
design, but do not compromise, and achieve environmental protection, as a design
priority.

CYCLIC SOLAR-SAFE DESIGN CRITERIA

- Practical design criteria for judging the strengths and weaknesses of a designs
sustainability were developed by Edwin Datschefski in 1998.

1. CYCLIC
- The product must be made from organic materials that can be recycled or
composted repeatedly.

2. SOLAR
- The product must use solar or other renewable energy throughout its
development, distribution, use, and recycling.

3. SAFE
- The product must be nontoxic to humans and other organisms, and no toxic
chemicals can be used in manufacturing or recycling.

4. EFFICIENT
- The production and use of the product should require 90% less material, energy,
and water, compared to similar products manufactured before 1990.

5. SOCIAL
- The product and its development and manufacture must not jeopardize the rights,
health, or livelihood, of individuals or communities.

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING
- Sustainable packaging is packaging that is functional, cost effective, and meets
sustainability principles or design criteria.

PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE
- This is an obligation for designers to prove that a product, through its
manufacture, use or disposal, poses no negative consequences for people or the
environment.

ABALA | DULCE | GRAZA | MAGNO | KOLLIN | VILLAMAR 3