New
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Lesson 5 of 8
  • Year 9

Distribution

I can explain how decisions for the distribution stage can reduce the environmental impact of a product.

Lesson 5 of 8
New
New
  • Year 9

Distribution

I can explain how decisions for the distribution stage can reduce the environmental impact of a product.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Decisions for the distribution stage have the potential to reduce environmental impact.
  2. Material options for packaging are evolving to be more sustainable.

Keywords

  • Distribution - process of getting a product from the manufacturer to the stakeholders

  • Circular economy - products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste

  • Carbon emissions - volume of carbon produced contributing to global warming

Common misconception

The only way to reduce environmental impact at the distribution stage is through using electric vehicles.

There are many ways such as designing flat pack, stackable and lightweight products, packaging materials options and choosing where to locate manufacture.


To help you plan your year 9 design and technology lesson on: Distribution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Choose a cardboard box and find a product it can fit e.g. a classroom chair. Predict how many disassembled chairs would fit in the same box. Use this to discuss how assembly affects transport volume and the sustainability impact of flatpack design.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Identify the methods to reduce the environmental impact at the manufacture and materials processing stage of the circular economy.

Correct answer: eliminating use of toxic chemicals
Correct answer: using renewable sources of energy
using crude oil
using non renewable sources of energy

Q2.
What is the living income?

the amount of money needed for a household to have a high standard of living
Correct answer: the amount of money needed for a household to have a decent standard of living
the amount of money needed for a household to have a poor standard of living

Q3.
The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to work, to be paid for that work, and to an adequate ...

roof over their head.
Correct answer: standard of living.
education.

Q4.
Clothing production accounts for around of global carbon emissions.

5%
8%
Correct answer: 10%
12%

Q5.
What percentage of the cotton industry uses organic practices?

Correct answer: 1%
11%
21%
51%

Q6.
Match the term to the definition.

Correct Answer:Fairtrade premium,investment to help build stronger, healthier communities

investment to help build stronger, healthier communities

Correct Answer:Fairtrade price,minimum price that must be paid to producers for their goods

minimum price that must be paid to producers for their goods

Correct Answer:Living income,the money needed for a household to have a decent standard of living

the money needed for a household to have a decent standard of living

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
LCA assesses the environmental impact at of the product’s life cycle with the aim to reduce impact.

Correct answer: every single stage
the distribution stage
the product in use stage
the design stage

Q2.
Match the green fuel to its source.

Correct Answer:Bioethanol,Corn, sugarcane, or plant waste

Corn, sugarcane, or plant waste

Correct Answer:Biodiesel,Vegetable oils or animal fats

Vegetable oils or animal fats

Correct Answer:Biogas,Food waste, sewage, manure

Food waste, sewage, manure

Correct Answer:Hydrogen Fuel,Water via electrolysis

Water via electrolysis

Correct Answer:Algae Fuel,Fast-growing algae

Fast-growing algae

Q3.
Why is wool a good eco-friendly alternative packaging material?

Correct answer: It is biodegradable.
Correct answer: It is lightweight.
It is sourced from fossil fuel.
Correct answer: It is an insulator.
It is sourced from plants.

Q4.
Why are many companies choosing to use eco-friendly materials for packaging and distribution?

Correct answer: Reduces environmental impact
Reduces costs
Correct answer: Improves brand image
Speeds up distribution