Though ecodesign is increasingly being adopted, it is still not widespread. It is also a process that is not uniformly accepted, meaning that there is not one method that will make a product eco-friendly. Knoend has constructed this page as an educational resource page. We hope this will make the complexity of ecodesign easier to understand. If you know of an ecodesign strategy or resource that we have missed please let us know by sending us an email at: design@knoend.com

strategies for ecodesign
There are numerous different strategies for ecodesign that can be applied seperately or combined to make a product more ecologically sensible. Below you will find a very general glossary - though there is often overlap, the ecodesign strategies have seperate definitions and one application does not automatically equate another.

	Recyclable - A product is recyclable when it allows fo the reprocessing of old materials into new products, with the aims of preventing waste and reducing environmental impact compared to virgin production. Aluminum Cans are an example.			Biodegradable - A product that is biodegradable facilitates the process by which organic substances are broken down by the enzymes produced by living organisms. Bioplastics are a recent example.
	Recycled - A recycled product means that it incorporates product or material that has been reprocessed. Post Consumer Waste(PCW) content paper is an example.			Salvaged or Reuse- A salvaged or reuse product describes a process of repurposing or reapplying product or materials that are meant for disposal. Using bicycle inner tubes to make messenger bags is one example.
	Renewable - A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable or faster than its rate of consumption by humans or other users. Bamboo, as the fastest growing plant on earth qualifies as a renewable resource.			Sustainably Harvested - Sustainably harvested materials and products ensure that the process of renewal is reinforced. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood is an example.
	Powered by Renewable Energy - There are an increasing number of companies manufacturing products using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Webhosts that rely on solar panels for their energy is an example.			Organic - organic products and materials are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, They are processed without ionizing radiation or chemical additives. Organic cotton is an example.
	Resource saving - a product that utilizes less natural resources by design. A product that uses the minimal amount of packaging needed to ship is an example.			Energy-efficient - a product that uses technology in a way that requires less energy to perform the same function. A compact fluorescent light bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light is an example.
	Non-toxic - A non-toxic product utilizes no toxic substances in its manufacturing processes and is not causing or capable of causing harm. Non-toxic household cleaners and detergents are examples.			Designed for disassembly - A product will often be comprised of multiple components and design for disassembly ensures that distinct materials can be easily seperated for proper recylcing and disposal. An example is achair that parts can be seperated with minimal time and energy.
	Fair Trade - Fair Trade principles advocate the payment of a fair wage/price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods.			Crade-to-Cradle - This is a term coined by German Chemis Michael Braungart and U.S. architect William McDonough describing a strategy to transform human industry through ecologically intelligent design. In other words, designing products that are infinitely recylable or renewable.

ecodesign links
Because ecodesign is such a complex evolving concept, we are attempting to aggregate the most useful and relevant resources available on the web. Please let us know if you have a site that should be included - we will be adding to this list as we come across relevant links. This is not intended to be a promotional page for companies, we will list only pages that contain information tailored for public education.