Circular Economy
If sustainability has an enemy, it's throwaway culture. Disposable soft drinks cups, single-use plastic straws, packaged fruit... These are just a few very simple examples. However, they are examples that we have been living with – and in some cases continue to do so – for a long time. Over the years, this consumerist mentality has gradually been left behind. Although the truth is that many decades have gone by and now we are suffering the environmental consequences of this mentality. At this point, ecodesign begins to gain importance.
Despite having become known relatively recently, ecodesign is a concept that dates back to the 90s. It first came about as a result of the need to minimise the environmental impacts of a product before they occurred. This represented a paradigm shift for companies, which used to try to repair environmental damage once it had already been caused. It could be said that ecodesign began to implement the culture of prevention versus correction.
What is ecodesign?
According to the German Federal Environment Agency, up to 80% of the environmental impact of a product is defined during the design phase. Both sustainable design and ecodesign are concepts conceived so as not to harm the environment, although they are not synonymous.
A design is sustainable if its sustainability is economic, social and environmental. Generally, this implies providing a social benefit, causing minimal environmental impact, being economically viable, taking into account human rights, promoting energy savings and being respectful in the choice of raw materials.
“Up to 80% of the environmental impact of a product is defined during the design phase”.
Ecodesign focusses exclusively on environmental sustainability. Therefore, it is characterised by the minimum environmental impact during the life cycle of the product, the use of reusable, recyclable and local materials, saving resources and ecological traceability. Therefore, it is considered a model based on the circular economy, which already has its own regulations. The certifications that accredit this are: Cradle to Cradle (C2C), ISO 14062 and ISO 14001.
Products with an ecodesign offer multiple advantages. Firstly, using a more efficient form of production, energy is also saved and there are less CO2 emissions. This leads to better air quality and therefore improves everybody's quality of life. Another benefit is that these products usually have a longer useful life and offer better quality. Furthermore, ecodesign reinforces companies' commitment to sustainability, while meeting market demands with products adapted to the needs of an increasingly demanding and committed public.
Ventajas del ecodiseño.
Advantages of ecodesign
- Energy saving and emissions reduction.
- Improvement in quality of life.
- More committed companies.
- Happier consumers.
- Better quality products with a longer useful life.
Examples of ecodesign: more on trend than ever
The fashion industry is the most polluting industry after the oil industry, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The production of clothing and footwear is responsible for the emission of 8.1% of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. These emissions are higher than those caused by all aircraft flights and sea shipments combined. And the funny thing is that the most alarming pollution does not occur in the country where it is sold, but where it is produced. This demonstrates the importance of promoting ecodesign.
“The fashion industry is the most polluting after the oil industry, and is responsible for the emission of 8.1% of CO2 emissions”.
More and more clothing brands are turning to sustainability as a fundamental value in their products, just as large firms are increasingly trying to promote sustainable innovation. So, without a doubt, the sector is changing. So much so that ecodesign is becoming one of the main trends in sustainable fashion. This involves conceiving a design while bearing in mind the life cycle of the product: production of raw material, manufacturing, use and disposal. For example, this can be applied by choosing sustainable materials such as wool or cotton instead of synthetic fibres, or by selecting processes that do not affect the environment.
However, this is not the only sector that is committing to ecodesign in its products. In Spain, during the National Environment Conference, each year the Conama Ecodesign contest is held. In 2022, the 4th edition was held and ecodesigns received awards as they paid testament to what this concept means.
- Reolivar by NAIFactory: organisers made in Spain, shaped like a diamond and made from olive pits.
- Tip-Easy by Calvo: designed to prevent product loss, with an aluminium lid and steel body, making them easier to recycle.
- Baku Barrikupel S Microcoop lamps from Navarre: by reusing discarded oak from wine barrels, after a decade of being used at wineries, they have created a catalogue of sustainable lamps with 85% reused material.
- New cardboard packaging for Ariel soap by P&G Spain: more sustainable (more than 70% recycled fibres, cardboard), safer (for children) and more inclusive (blind and people with mobility problems).
Although these are very specific examples of ecodesign, in our daily lives, there are also some very practical examples, such as, for example, Italian coffee makers that do not use paper filters, reusable makeup remover discs, furniture that is sold without assembly to reduce its size and optimise its transport, etc.
However, ecodesign is not constrained to everyday objects. As we have mentioned, it is being incorporated into many sectors, including construction. In this case, experts aim to find innovative solutions so that buildings increasingly respect their surroundings and achieve what is known as a zero impact. To achieve this, they work on the development of building materials that take into account environmental criteria in all phases of the life cycle.
At Endesa, we also promote circularity in each of our projects. In this case, not only do we promote eco-design in the construction of our renewable energy plants. We are also committed to the decarbonisation of electricity generation, through the closure of thermal power plants with circular decommissioning to continue maintaining the value of assets and materials in the production cycle; and making distribution networks smart.
