Another often-used method that designers use to spread environmental awareness is through the usage of environmentally-friendly processes and materials in the production of their designed product. Some of the most common processes used are the use of pulp from renewable forests, recycled paper, as well as printing using organic soy-based inks (Ng, 2010). Waste created by these products are often easily biodegradable or recycled once they are disposed of. The production processes involved also often creates a lesser carbon footprint than normal processes (Faud-Luke, 2009). In order for consumers to be aware of the product’s eco-friendly origins, the processes and materials used should be stated as part of the visual design itself.
The mere act of choosing to use such products itself would be an immediate behavior that is targeted towards conservation. However, this would require consumers to have prior knowledge and favorable attitudes towards sustainability. Unless buyers are educated about the environmental issues in the first place, the sales of such products would most likely only comprise of consumers who already have such attitudes and “in-the-know” designers. This pool of consumers can be expanded by prior education, as well as indicating the product’s eco-friendly origins on the packaging and design itself.
Another barrier to the purchase of such products is its price. Environmentally-friendly production methods tend to incur higher costs than normal processes. This is because most environmentally-friendly production processes are new and not widely adopted. This causes the price of products made from eco-friendly processes to be higher, which may deter consumers from buying such products if there is a cheaper, but less eco-friendly, alternative. Designers and producers could work with governments or relevant authorities to provide incentives, such as rebates, to encourage more people to purchase these eco-friendly products.
Fortunately, there is an encouraging trend that more producers and designers are taking steps to incorportate eco-friendly processes. Economies-of-scale take place and lower the prices of such products. It is hoped that the adoption of such processes will one day be widespread enough to replace its non eco-friendly counterparts.