Eco-evolution

At S+A we are prepared to make mistakes in our efforts to get it right. Many of us hesitate to take responsibility for the impact of our work on the environment because we don't have all "the answers".
S+A's view is that accumulated small steps can lead to major breakthroughs. As in nature, that's eco
evolution in action.

S+A's eco-design projects have so far concentrated on two main areas:

• using the recycled resin Recopol™ as part of a "closed loop" system of material utilisation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce resource wastage, and reduce landfill use.
• the use of timber classified by Greenpeace as eco preferable.

S+A are also:

• working towards independent certification of our eco claims.
• continuing to design for product longevity, producing super-strong furniture which has been tested by AFRDI in accordance with Australian Standards 4688:2000 for strength, safety and ergonomics.
• minimising use of known eco contaminants (e.g. chrome plating replaced by stainless steel wherever feasible).
• considering the health and well-being of workers associated with the manufacture of our products
  (e.g. Stretch resin stool has been discontinued due to adverse health affects on makers).
• reducing packaging (furniture is delivered using recyclable and recycled packaging).
• manufacturing in Australia to minimise energy used in transport freight.

Recopol™

• Recopol™ recycled resin mouldings comprise post-consumer and post-industrial engineering grade resins redeemed from the automotive, home and office appliance and electronic and industrial waste streams. Globally this is a fast growing waste stream and the majority of these disposed products presently go to landfill.
• Recopol™ conserves valuable resources, minimise waste to landfill, reduce greenhouse emissions through eco-efficient production and reduce the demand for timber from our precious forests.
• 50% less greenhouse emissions and 80% less energy are used in the production of Recopolª recycled resin compared to virgin resin.

schamburg+alvisse Recopol™ products:

025 conference chair 050 conference chair 050 tub chair stretch stool

Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)

S+A support the FSC eco timber certification system as the most powerful weapon against illegal logging and its accompanying destruction of forest habitats and contribution to global warming. As members of the World Wide Fund's ( WWF ) Timber Buyers Group, S+A is committed to increasing the use of FSC timber and actively promoting its eco benefits, while acknowledging that we are still in the process of moving towards FSC certification. S+A sees the FSC system of eco timber certification system as the most credible international system available based on the following facts:

• FSC is the only international forestry standard that prohibits clear felling of high conservation value forests.
• FSC is the only standard that transparently engages with a representative cross-section of local community stakeholders to ensure that forestry practises are satisfying their concerns.
• FSC standards and certificates are guided by a group of stakeholders with a rigorously enforced triple bottom line agenda: ie: environmental sustainability, social sustainability AND long-term economic sustainability.
• FSC forestry standards are recognised internationally by ISO standards.
• FSC regularly withdraws certification from timber owners and suppliers when these have contravened clearly specified FSC eco guidelines.

While FSC timber is common in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK, there are currently obstacles to sourcing reliable supplies of premium furniture grade FSC timber in Australia. To date, there is only one FSC forest in Australia, and this is harvested primarily for woodchipping. Even so, S+A are determined to overcome these barriers, and in the interim give strong preference to using eco timbers that comply with Greenpeace's "Good Wood" guidelines. Currently S+A purchase timbers with claims to be from eco forests. Without the FSC's Chain of Custody system of supply chain management however, we are unable to warrant the reliability of such claims. In 2007, S+A plan to achieve significant progress towards FSC certification.

Useful environmental + eco-design links:

• Eco-design Foundation
• Powerhouse Museum: Ecologic - creating a sustainable future
• RMIT Centre for Design
• WWF's Forests for Life Programme
• FSC - Forestry Stewardship Council
• International Society for Industrial Ecology
• United Nations Environment Programme Production and Consumption Unit
• Ecodesign: a promising approach to sustainable production and consumption
• University of London Demi Design for Sustainability
  

Excellent bedtime reading:

• Time in Design– product value sustenance
  Ed van Hinte, 2004
• Design + Environment. A global Guide to Designing Greener Goods
  Helen Lewis & John Gertakis, 2001
• A New Design Philosophy: an introduction to defuturing
  Tony Fry, 1999
• Lightness:the inevitable renaissance of minimum energy structures
  Beukers, Adriaan and Ed van Hinte, 1998
• User-Centred Graphic Design: Mass Communications and Social Change
  Frascara, Jorge, 1997
• Ecological Politics in an Age of Risk
  Beck, Ulrich, 1995
• The Idea of Design
  Buchanan, Richard and Victor Margolin, 1995
• Discovering Design: Explorations in Design Studies
  Buchanan, Richard and Victor Margolin, 1995
• Industrial Ecology
  T.E. Graedel and B.R Allenby, 1995
• The 1994 New Economics report Beyond Recycling (PDF 2.5MB)
  by Tim Cooper
• Remakings: Ecology, Design, Philosophy
  Tony Fry, 1994
• The Material of Invention: Materials and Design
  Ezio Manzini, 1989