Integrating Sustainability into Material Selection Is an Ethical and Strategic Obligation

My personal journey into the world of sustainability in material selection began with my grandmother, Vho-Tshianeo Nyamande Marwala, a skilled potter. I vividly remember accompanying her on her quest for the perfect clay, a crucial part of the material selection process. This experience often makes me wonder if sustainability concepts ever crossed my grandmother’s mind as she carefully chose the clay for her pots.

Material selection has traditionally been guided by the dual imperatives of performance maximization and cost minimization in pursuing engineering excellence. Engineers, designers and manufacturers have long prioritized materials that provide maximum functionality at a low cost, motivated by the imperatives of efficiency and profitability.

However, as the environmental consequences of our material choices become more apparent, there is an urgent and immediate need to incorporate sustainability principles into our material selection processes.

This comprehensive approach, which considers environmental concerns, human behaviour, incentive mechanisms, policies and regulations, standards, laws and institutional frameworks, is not just a choice but a necessity for a sustainable future.

The sustainable imperative

Today, sustainability is not just an additional consideration, but a fundamental necessity in material selection. It’s about looking beyond the immediate performance and cost of materials and considering their long-term impact on the environment, society, and future generations.

The “sustainable imperative” in material selection is the recognition that by embracing a sustainable approach, we can alleviate the adverse effects of resource depletion, pollution, and waste. This path leads to a more resilient and sustainable world, where our material choices are not just efficient, but also socially and environmentally responsible.

Environmental footprint

The environmental footprint of a material includes the energy consumed and emissions produced during extraction, processing, use, and disposal. Materials with high embodied energy and significant emissions are disproportionately responsible for climate change and environmental degradation.

For example, producing traditional materials such as steel and aluminium requires considerable energy and emits greenhouse gases. Materials with lower environmental footprints, such as recycled metals, bioplastics, and sustainably sourced wood provide substantial energy and emissions savings.

Renewability and resource depletion

Many conventional materials are based on finite resources, which causes resource depletion and environmental harm. For example, extracting minerals for electronics frequently causes habitat destruction and pollution.

Renewable materials, on the other hand, can be harvested and replenished sustainably. Examples include bamboo, hemp, and agricultural residues. Using renewable materials helps to preserve natural resources and ensures their availability for future generations.

Furthermore, biobased materials can sequester carbon during their growth, resulting in additional environmental benefits.

Recycling and reuse potential

The end-of-life phase of a material is an essential factor in its sustainability. Materials that are easily recycled or repurposed help promote a circular economy and decrease waste. Designing for disassembly and using materials that retain their integrity over multiple life cycles can significantly reduce landfill waste and the need for new raw materials.

For example, modular design in construction and electronics makes recycling and replacing components easier, extending product life and reducing waste.

Performance reimagined

Incorporating sustainability into material selection does not mean sacrificing performance. On the contrary, sustainable materials frequently have unique properties that improve performance.

Advanced composites made from natural fibres can have high strength-to-weight ratios, whereas biodegradable polymers can provide novel packaging and medical solutions. By broadening our definition of performance to include environmental and social metrics, we can achieve more comprehensive and impactful results.

Cost considerations

While sustainability initiatives may incur higher upfront costs, they frequently result in long-term savings. In the long run, materials designed to be durable and recyclable can help reduce maintenance and replacement costs.

Furthermore, as regulatory pressures and consumer demand for environmentally friendly products grow, companies prioritizing sustainability will likely gain competitive advantages and market share. For example, using energy-efficient materials in construction can significantly save heating and cooling costs over the building’s lifetime.

Human behaviour and incentive mechanisms

Human behaviour significantly impacts the adoption of sustainable materials. Educating consumers and industry professionals on the advantages of sustainable materials can boost demand and adoption.

Tax breaks, subsidies and grants can all be used as incentives to promote sustainable materials. For example, government programmes that offer financial incentives for using recycled materials in manufacturing or construction can significantly increase their adoption.

Furthermore, corporate social responsibility initiatives can encourage businesses to prioritize sustainability in material selection processes.

Policies and regulations

Effective policies and regulations are essential to promote sustainable material selection. Governments can impose regulations requiring sustainable materials in specific applications or establish environmental performance standards.

For example, the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive restricts using certain dangerous materials in electronics, encouraging the adoption of safer alternatives. Similarly, building codes may require using energy-efficient materials and technologies, promoting sustainability in the construction industry.

Standards and laws                                                      

Creating and enforcing standards and laws is critical to ensuring the widespread adoption of sustainable materials. International standards, such as those developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), serve as guidelines for assessing materials’ environmental performance.

These standards can be enforced by national and regional laws which ensure compliance and promote best practices. For example, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system establishes standards for sustainable building practices while encouraging environmentally friendly materials and technologies.

Institutional structures

Institutional structures such as governmental agencies, industry associations, and research institutions are essential in implementing and promoting sustainable material selection. These organizations can foster collaboration, share knowledge, and provide resources for developing and implementing sustainable materials.

Government agencies, for example, can fund research and development projects aimed at sustainable materials, whereas industry associations can promote best practices and offer training and certification programmes. Collaboration among academia, industry and government can spur innovation and accelerate the adoption of sustainable materials.

Carbon credits and material selection

Carbon credits are important in promoting sustainable material selection because they provide a financial incentive to reduce carbon emissions. Carbon credits encourage manufacturers and developers to prioritize materials with lower environmental footprints by placing a monetary value on the carbon savings achieved using sustainable materials.

This mechanism not only helps offset the higher initial costs associated with sustainable materials, but also encourages innovation and investment in environmentally friendly alternatives.

Furthermore, carbon credits can spur a broader market shift toward sustainability by rewarding businesses that actively reduce their carbon footprint, fostering an environmental culture and quickening the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In conclusion, integrating sustainability into material selection is both an ethical and strategic obligation. By combining traditional performance maximization and cost minimization criteria with sustainability principles, we can develop materials and products that are efficient, cost-effective, environmentally responsible and socially beneficial.

Incorporating human behaviour, incentive mechanisms, policies and regulations, standards, laws and institutional structures into this holistic approach is critical to achieving a sustainable future.

As we move forward, let us see the sustainability challenge as an opportunity for innovation and growth. We can create a better world for ourselves and future generations by reimagining material selection through a sustainability lens and leveraging human, regulatory and institutional resources.

This comprehensive approach will ensure our materials contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable future.

This article was first published by Daily Maverick. Read the original article on the Daily Maverick website.