It does what it says on the cover – a guide to sustainable materials, processes and production techniques. Manufacturing and production methods are changing (more of that later), and in a bid to better understand how design can be produced efficiently and in an environmentally sensitive way, I set myself some homework. The book, by Rob Thompson, describes the environmental impact of materials, manufacturing processes and product life cycles. From injection molding bioplastic to water-based printing, 15 materials, 14 processes and six production lifecycles are illustrated with case studies.
After my course on the circular economy with the Ellen McArthur Foundation, I want to see where the theory can meet with best practice!
The book is published by Thames and Hudson and retails for £16.95.