What is ecological design?
Ecological design consists of integrating environmental concerns into the process of designing a product, aiming to reduce environmental impacts throughout its entire life cycle.
This cycle includes the stages of raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, and end of life.
The approach is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which allows analyzing the environmental impact of each phase.
It is essential to consider all stages of the cycle to avoid pollution transfers from one phase to another.
Ecological design is directly linked to the concept of circular economy, an economic model that seeks to break with the traditional linear logic (“extract, manufacture, consume, and discard”).
The circular economy aims to reduce the use of non-renewable resources, favoring responsible and regenerative consumption.
The seven pillars of circular economy are:
- Sustainable supply
- Eco-design
- Industrial and territorial ecology
- Functionality economy
- Responsible consumption (shared, collaborative, conscious)
- Extension of product lifespan (reuse, repair, recycling)
- Efficient waste management
In the construction sector, a European circular economy assessment tool is being developed under the BAMB – Building As Material Banks project, in which Portugal is a participant.
The goal is to assess and compare the flows of materials and products throughout the entire life cycle of buildings.