LIFE CYCLE PROJECT
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
This is the life-cycle project. This project is meant for us to choose a recyclable material and discover the ways that we can use these materials in other ways instead of throwing them away and polluting the environment. The material that I have chosen to investigate is an aluminum can. This is a common material that is used a lot for storing food. Therefore it is thrown away a lot. By either recycling or reusing an aluminum can, you can really help the environment.
TIMELINE
RAISE AND EXTRACT- This is where you need to find the materials needed to make the product. With an aluminum can, you need aluminum and tin. The aluminum is for the body and the tin is for the top of the can (the lid)
PROCESS- This is where you use energy and ingredients to make the final output product. To make an aluminum can you need the correct substances from the earth (oil from the ground)
MANUFACTURING- This is where you actually manufacture the product. To do this you need to take the aluminum and make it into a cup shape, and then thread it so that the lid can fit on and still be able to store food at the same time.
USE- You then transport the product so that it can be put into stores. These cans can now be sold to the consumers as food and drinks. some foods and drinks have expiration dates and must be sold. Otherwise they must be restocked and therefore increasing the use of aluminum cans.
DISPOSAL- This is where the product cannot be used anymore and has to be recycled. After you eat the food that was stored inside of the can, they can be recycled or reused in creative ways. It is much better than burning them or sending them to landfills.
PROCESS- This is where you use energy and ingredients to make the final output product. To make an aluminum can you need the correct substances from the earth (oil from the ground)
MANUFACTURING- This is where you actually manufacture the product. To do this you need to take the aluminum and make it into a cup shape, and then thread it so that the lid can fit on and still be able to store food at the same time.
USE- You then transport the product so that it can be put into stores. These cans can now be sold to the consumers as food and drinks. some foods and drinks have expiration dates and must be sold. Otherwise they must be restocked and therefore increasing the use of aluminum cans.
DISPOSAL- This is where the product cannot be used anymore and has to be recycled. After you eat the food that was stored inside of the can, they can be recycled or reused in creative ways. It is much better than burning them or sending them to landfills.
CREATIVE RECYCLING OR REUSE
CONCLUSION QUESTIONS
a. What is meant by product life-cycle?
The period that the product is made in and under development
b. Why is it important for companies who make products to research and determine a products potential life-cycle?
It is important because you need to make sure that you have an eco friendly product and that you can still get good use out of it
c. What would you change about your product? Why?
I wouldn't change much about my product considering that an aluminum can is already a good recyclable material.
d. Do you think that your product will ever become obsolete over time? Why?
I think that aluminum cans wont become obsolete because it is a perfect can for foods and liquids, it is also recyclable.
e. What is a trade off?
A trade off is when you choose one product over another
f. Do you think that trade offs were made during the design phase of your product?
yes, I do believe that aluminum cans were chosen over other materials because aluminum is recyclable
g. Why is it important to recycle?
recycling is important because it helps the environment a lot. If we threw away the materials that were recyclable, then we would have less energy, materials and time. And on top of that we would be filling landfills faster making the environment more polluted.
h. how to product designers play a role in recycling?
product designers have spread the word through out other companies, therefore increasing the use of recycling.
i. What role does society play in the recycling effort?
society as a role has started trying to save the planet and the environment, if the society was not like this, then in the future, we would not have as much recyclable materials and products then we would of had if we did not start recycling
j. What can you do to help?
us being the consumers, we can start buying recyclable materials and start supporting companies that are trying to recycle
The period that the product is made in and under development
b. Why is it important for companies who make products to research and determine a products potential life-cycle?
It is important because you need to make sure that you have an eco friendly product and that you can still get good use out of it
c. What would you change about your product? Why?
I wouldn't change much about my product considering that an aluminum can is already a good recyclable material.
d. Do you think that your product will ever become obsolete over time? Why?
I think that aluminum cans wont become obsolete because it is a perfect can for foods and liquids, it is also recyclable.
e. What is a trade off?
A trade off is when you choose one product over another
f. Do you think that trade offs were made during the design phase of your product?
yes, I do believe that aluminum cans were chosen over other materials because aluminum is recyclable
g. Why is it important to recycle?
recycling is important because it helps the environment a lot. If we threw away the materials that were recyclable, then we would have less energy, materials and time. And on top of that we would be filling landfills faster making the environment more polluted.
h. how to product designers play a role in recycling?
product designers have spread the word through out other companies, therefore increasing the use of recycling.
i. What role does society play in the recycling effort?
society as a role has started trying to save the planet and the environment, if the society was not like this, then in the future, we would not have as much recyclable materials and products then we would of had if we did not start recycling
j. What can you do to help?
us being the consumers, we can start buying recyclable materials and start supporting companies that are trying to recycle