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What are common misconceptions about selecting sustainable materials with CAD?

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When it comes to sustainable design, choosing the right materials is crucial. But how do you know which materials are truly eco-friendly, and how do you use CAD tools to evaluate them? In this article, we'll debunk some common misconceptions about selecting sustainable materials with CAD, and give you some tips to make smarter choices.

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Tony Elkington

Helping Brands Design Products That Go Beyond Superficial Sustainability ?? Creative Director at Studio Elk
Gianluca Managò

Freelance Product Sustainability & LCA consultant | Empowering brands to create circular products through data-driven…
EMMANUEL A.

Creative Director | Interior Design

1 Misconception 1: All natural materials are sustainable

One of the most widespread myths is that natural materials are always better than synthetic ones. While it's true that some natural materials have lower environmental impacts than others, they are not necessarily sustainable. For example, wood can be renewable, but it can also contribute to deforestation, habitat loss, and carbon emissions if it's not sourced responsibly. Similarly, cotton can be biodegradable, but it can also consume a lot of water, pesticides, and land if it's not grown organically. To select sustainable natural materials with CAD, you need to consider the whole life cycle of the material, from extraction to disposal, and look for certifications, labels, or standards that verify its environmental performance.

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Gianluca Managò

Freelance Product Sustainability & LCA consultant | Empowering brands to create circular products through data-driven design decisions
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My favourite is "wood is sustainable because it is wood, duh!". Wood production can contribute to several impact categories, from land use to carbon emissions. Even renewable materials have their own impact, assuming they are "better" environmentally just because they are natural is a misconception.

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EMMANUEL A.

Creative Director | Interior Design
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Common misconceptions about selecting sustainable materials with CAD include assuming that all digital representations accurately reflect real-world material properties. Another misconception is that sustainable materials are always cost-prohibitive, disregarding long-term benefits. People may also think that CAD tools automatically consider sustainability, whereas it requires conscious choices. Additionally, some may believe that digital models alone determine a product's sustainability without considering factors like material sourcing and production processes. Addressing these misconceptions is crucial for informed and sustainable material selection in CAD.

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2 Misconception 2: All recycled materials are sustainable

Another common misconception is that recycled materials are always better than virgin ones. While recycling can reduce waste, energy, and emissions, it can also have some drawbacks. For instance, some recycled materials can lose quality, durability, or functionality over time, or require more processing, additives, or transportation than virgin ones. Also, some recycled materials can contain harmful substances, such as heavy metals, dyes, or plasticizers, that can affect human health or the environment. To select sustainable recycled materials with CAD, you need to check the quality, safety, and traceability of the material, and compare its environmental benefits and costs with other alternatives.

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Gianluca Managò

Freelance Product Sustainability & LCA consultant | Empowering brands to create circular products through data-driven design decisions
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Not all recycled materials are born equal. Here some tips to navigate recycled materials: - Quality assessment:b egin by thoroughly assessing the quality of the recycled material. Scrutinize its structural integrity, durability, and overall performance. CAD tools can assist in simulating the potential impact of recycled materials on your project; - Traceability matters: establishing the origin and journey of recycled materials is paramount. Traceability ensures transparency in the supply chain and aids in identifying potential environmental and ethical concerns. - Consider processing requirements: some recycled materials may require more energy-intensive processing or the addition of certain additives to meet performance standards.

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3 Misconception 3: All low-carbon materials are sustainable

A third common misconception is that low-carbon materials are always better than high-carbon ones. While reducing carbon emissions is an important goal of sustainable design, it's not the only one. Some low-carbon materials can have other negative impacts, such as water consumption, land use, toxicity, or biodiversity loss. For example, bio-based plastics can have lower carbon footprints than fossil-based ones, but they can also compete with food crops, degrade soil quality, or generate biodegradable waste that can emit methane. To select sustainable low-carbon materials with CAD, you need to look beyond the carbon footprint and consider the other environmental, social, and economic aspects of the material.

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Tony Elkington

Helping Brands Design Products That Go Beyond Superficial Sustainability ?? Creative Director at Studio Elk
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Embodied carbon is just one factor that needs to be considered when selecting materials. The additional impact categories mentioned should be considered, but there are additional functional, behavioural and systemic factors that determine whether a material is a "sustainable" option. For example: - is the material made from renewable resources? - where is the material sourced from in relation to the location of manufacture and consumption? - is the material fit for purpose? - is the material easy to maintain and repair? - what are the material's end of life options? - does infrastructure to ensure recycling exist in the regions where the product will be used? - can the material be separated for proper disposal?

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4 Misconception 4: All CAD tools are reliable

A fourth common misconception is that CAD tools are always accurate and objective. While CAD tools can help you compare and select sustainable materials based on various criteria, they are not infallible. Some CAD tools can have limitations, biases, or errors that can affect their results. For example, some CAD tools can use outdated, incomplete, or inconsistent data sources, or rely on assumptions, estimations, or simplifications that can skew the analysis. Also, some CAD tools can have different methods, scopes, or indicators that can make them incompatible or incomparable with each other. To select sustainable materials with CAD, you need to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the CAD tools you use, and validate, verify, or supplement their results with other sources of information.

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Gianluca Managò

Freelance Product Sustainability & LCA consultant | Empowering brands to create circular products through data-driven design decisions
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How to recognize a reliable tool: - Transparency: indicators, scope and methods are explaned and well communicated; - Adaptability and update: technology evolves, and a reliable CAD tool should reflect that. Look for tools that regularly update their databases, algorithms, and methodologies to stay current with the latest information and industry standards; - Alignment with industry standards: verify whether the CAD tool aligns with recognized industry standards and guidelines for sustainable material selection.

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5 Misconception 5: All sustainable materials are expensive

A fifth common misconception is that sustainable materials are always more expensive than conventional ones. While some sustainable materials can have higher upfront costs than others, they can also have lower long-term costs or higher value. For example, some sustainable materials can last longer, perform better, or require less maintenance than others, or offer benefits such as energy savings, health improvements, or customer satisfaction. To select sustainable materials with CAD, you need to consider the whole cost of the material, not just the initial price, and factor in the potential savings or returns that the material can generate over its life span.

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6 Misconception 6: All sustainable materials are available

A sixth common misconception is that sustainable materials are always available and accessible. While some sustainable materials can be widely used and distributed, others can be scarce, limited, or restricted. For example, some sustainable materials can have low supply, high demand, or long lead times that can affect their availability or delivery. Similarly, some sustainable materials can have legal, regulatory, or technical barriers that can prevent their use or adoption. To select sustainable materials with CAD, you need to check the availability and accessibility of the material, and plan ahead for any potential challenges or risks that the material can pose.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are common misconceptions about selecting sustainable materials with CAD?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Misconception 1: All natural materials are sustainable

2 Misconception 2: All recycled materials are sustainable

3 Misconception 3: All low-carbon materials are sustainable

4 Misconception 4: All CAD tools are reliable

5 Misconception 5: All sustainable materials are expensive

6 Misconception 6: All sustainable materials are available

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainable Design

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What are common misconceptions about selecting sustainable materials with CAD?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Misconception 1: All natural materials are sustainable

2 Misconception 2: All recycled materials are sustainable

3 Misconception 3: All low-carbon materials are sustainable

4 Misconception 4: All CAD tools are reliable

5 Misconception 5: All sustainable materials are expensive

6 Misconception 6: All sustainable materials are available

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainable Design

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