The following strategies can be used in the design and development of products to help improve their sustainability. They have been selected as strategies that can usually be relied upon to provide a beneficial effect, and can therefore help designers with little or no experience of sustainable design to design more sustainable products.

However, every product is different and has different requirements, so strategies should be considered and selected with care to ensure that they have the desired effect.

The table below lists the strategies with an indication of which aspects of sustainability they might help to address, and link through to more detailed explanations. The table can also be used as a checklist in the design process.

  Strategy Benefits Y/N?
1 Design the Business System First  
2

Clarify Core Functions

  
3 Select Responsible Suppliers  
4 Product Service Systems  
5 Multifunctionalism  
6 Modularisation  
7 Minimise Material Variety  
8 Weight Reduction  
9 Recyclable Materials  
10 Recycled Materials  
11 Biodegradable Materials  
12 Renewable Materials  
13 Minimise Composites  
14 Avoid Hazardous & Toxic Materials/Substances  
15 Low Embodied Energy Materials  
16 Minimise Material Contamination  
17 Identify/Label Materials  
18 Avoid Glass  
19 Look for Synergies  
20 Aim for Maximum Efficiency  
21 Design for Part Load Operation  
22 Efficient Processes  
23 Plan for Continual Improvement  
24 Minimise Leaks  
25 Minimise Cycling Losses  
26 Renewable Energy  
27 Rechargable Batteries  
28 Feedback Mechanisms  
29 Reduce Transportation  
30 Simplification  
31 Integrate Packaging Design  
32 Durability  
33 Re-Usability  
34 Remanufacture  
35 Design for Disassembly  
36 Maintenance  
37 Reduce Consumables  
38 Integrate Disposal Instructions  
39 Use Waste Products  
40 Closed Life Cycle Design  
41 Design Products to be Loveable