USETHINGS
SUSTAINABILITY
2009
Our way of life has many environmental impacts. All environments and life forms are interrelated and interdependent, human production and consumption included. In the density of energy we use, the resources we consume, and the wastes we emit, we are borrowing from the future, and from the past.
usethings ethic in design, production, and life is:
Local, ethical, sustainable, well designed, well made, fit for propose, and durable.
We source, produce and supply primarily within our local environment, community and economy; at usethings we aim to work and live sustainably.
In sourcing production and waste management in third world economies have we just externalised slavery? Localising production ensures fair working conditions, reduces transport impacts and creates a relationship between the producer and consumer that is rich in information, honesty and community connectedness.
usethings in selecting processes, materials, and suppliers, considers environmental and social impacts. We employ our skills and knowledge to help others live sustainably, in a way that is comfortable, and intelligently designed.
We aim to produce only things of use, that’s how our traditional skills mesh with thoughtful design to produce products that meet living needs with less environmental impact.
usethings designs with environment in mind - Design for Environment (DfE) and life cycle thinking. Design considerations include: material minimisation, durability, resource depletion / sustainable resources, recycled materials, minimising production waste, avoiding hazardous substances, low VOC’s - indoor air quality, end of life disposal or recycling, energy efficiency, reducing transport impacts, embodied energy, embodied water, and designing out unsustainable use habits.
One of our products, a suspended clothes drying rack, is dedicated to environmental efficiency. A simple and proven method of drying clothes using the heat in the home – one that is convenient and low impact in the full product life cycle. It is simply made and can be disassembled should it ever require repair. It is sold in kit form Australia wide and packs very efficiently in recycled card held with jute string. Our drying racks are made with plantation Sugar Gum from SMARTimbers. http://www.smartimbers.com.au a Central Victorian landholder co-operative.
Recycled or salvaged timbers are used in commissioned works; this suits the material supply - designing with what is available at any given time. We often work in solid timber, and utilise traditional methods and skills which are relatively low tec but also low impact. These designs with traditional joinery, for example, make things easy to repair, extending their useful life, and extending the life of traditional skills.
We will also use high tec methods like computerised (CNC) machining, if it offers efficiency of material use. We like to work with ply in this way because of its efficient conversion of the log into a strong, board material. Preferring plantation hoop pine with ‘A bond’ glue that has very low formaldehyde emissions (E0).
Timber finishes are either natural oils and waxes or low VOC water based acrylics. Solid timber off-cuts are kept for further use in children’s furniture and toys. As each design is developed for minimal waste, unavoidable waste becomes the source for new design. Sawdust is composted, unusable dry solid timber is burnt as a source of heating in winter in an efficient triple burn combustion heater.
Water captured from the workshop roof is used in gluing, finishing processes and cleanup.
Our business is powered by Green Power. All electricity for administration and production is Origin 100% wind (new capacity) - a certified and high ranking green power provider http://www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au Green power and in particular wind was chosen for, among other things, its lower embodied water per Kw/h - coal fired power requires 2.5 litres per Kw/h.
Recycled paper is used in all paperwork, publications, brochures, packaging, business cards and envelopes. Our business cards are printed with soy based inks.
We are involved in the Castlemaine Land Care, giving time to planting and maintaining trees, shrubs and grasses in degraded land. We see this as a way to help balance our use of timber and creating a potential carbon sink.
We are members of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) and have given much time to supporting promotional events, sustainable building, local food, and children’s events.
In an energy depleted future usethings will be able to call on traditional skills and ingenuity to continue meeting essential material needs, with design integrity, resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.