Sustainable Design - The Way of the Green Future

Everyone loves design- sustainable in theory. However, many sustainable design products never off the ground due to a misperception popular belief: the mistaken belief that sustainable design increases project costs.

True sustainable design always reduces costs over the life of the product and the community in general. That is always, as in always.

So why does sustainable design get a bad rap?

There was a time when the initial costs discouraged homeowners who did not consider operating costs. This myopic view is very expensive, especially if we consider future energy costs. There was a time in some house materials or processes energy saving cost more than their counterpart’s energy inefficient. But these specialized materials keep energy costs over the life of the building.

The good news is that the cost of materials and energy-saving processes are falling, even though their energy-saving efficiencies are increasing. They saved money when they were more expensive, it will save even more now that are less expensive and more effective.

Responsible companies aren't foolish; they will recognize genuine value when it is presented to them. Why then, don't more owners take advantage of the savings sustainable design products offer? The simple truth is, genuine sustainable design projects are seldom products.

There are four hallmarks to true sustainable design:

1. The Community
2. The Local Economy
3. Energy Costs, and
4. The Environment

Ignore any of these considerations of a company that has no real sustainable design products.

So while everyone supports sustainability, the fact is that community initiatives, strategies, plans and assessments often fail to include all four components of sustainable design products.

Often one or even two of these considerations lead product - the economy, or energy costs and the environment or the community. The overlap of common interests between the economy, the community, the environment, and energy is where there is the sustainability of the product. Shelve any of those four components and you miss the opportunity to incorporate the savings that would result if they were included.

Many communities take the laudable task of filling and working to strengthen the community and support economic development. But how many of our communities to design these products with the design standards of low-impact development? How many strive for:

• Use clean energy to build and operate them?
• Use pervious pavement in order to minimize stormwater runoff?
• Construct green buildings and sites?
• Create jobs for local residents during construction and upon completion?
• Require low maintenance materials, particularly for those items the community will maintain?
• Explore what can be done to ensure the product is not a financial drain on the public or private owner?

It's not complicated. We must condition ourselves to think sustainability evaluating the effect of the proposed product to the community, the economy, the environment and energy use. A holistic approach to sustainability strengthens communities by ensuring the four criteria for a sustainable product are satisfied.

If it's not sustainable, should it be built?

At bambu we are committed to offer eco-friendly bamboo kitchenware, cutlery and tableware. As a company we bring our experience to creating natural, beautiful and functional products.