New
New
Lesson 6 of 8
  • Year 9

Product in use

I can explain how to reduce the environmental impact of a product during use.

Lesson 6 of 8
New
New
  • Year 9

Product in use

I can explain how to reduce the environmental impact of a product during use.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Designers consider the environmental impact of a product in use.
  2. Adjustable and modular products have a positive environmental impact.

Keywords

  • Design decisions - a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem

  • Durability - ability of a product or material to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over time

  • Modular design - a design approach where a product is made up of separate, interchangeable parts or modules

  • Design opportunity - a gap, or a need where a new or improved product would be beneficial

Common misconception

Considering a product's energy use is the only way to design a sustainable product.

There are many other ways to design a product to be sustainable when in use, including designing products to grow with users, be adjusted, modularity, reused etc.


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

Have a look around the school/home for products that 'grow' with the user as examples of sustainable products, such as adjustable chairs/products.
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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
In what ways can distribution lorries be modified to reduce carbon emissions?

An image in a quiz
more than one driver so greater distances can be covered
Correct answer: tapered rear end to reduce rear end drag
higher top speed so the destination is reach quicker
Correct answer: curved roof fairing to to reduce air resistance

Q2.
Match the fuel to the description.

Correct Answer:Biodiesel,Produced from used cooking oil

Produced from used cooking oil

Correct Answer:Hydrogen,Made from water using electricity

Made from water using electricity

Correct Answer:Biogas,Comes from organic waste

Comes from organic waste

Correct Answer:Algae Fuel,Uses fast growing aquatic organisms

Uses fast growing aquatic organisms

Correct Answer:Bioethanol,Made from crops like corn

Made from crops like corn

Q3.
What comes after the distribution stage in the circular economy?

manufacture and materials processing
Correct answer: product in use
design / redesign
repair and maintenance

Q4.
How have polymer bag manufacturers reduce the environmental impact of their products?

An image in a quiz
used cheaper materials
Correct answer: use biodegradable materials
sourced materials from closer to where the bags are manufactured
added a tax on all bags purchased

Q5.
What energy source does this product use?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: solar, the sun

Q6.
Identify the adjustable products.

Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
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Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
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Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
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Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
design is a design approach where a product is made up of separate, interchangeable parts

Correct Answer: Modular

Q2.
How did the UK government reduce the use of single use polymer bags?

by making polymer bags illegal
Correct answer: by introducing a tax on polymer bags
shoppers had to provide their own bags
only carboard boxes could be used

Q3.
What can be used as eco friendly alternatives to cling film?

Correct answer: beeswax wraps
aluminium foil
Correct answer: reusable polymer boxes
polymer sandwich bags

Q4.
What design decision was made to help reduce this product's environmental impact during use?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: wind up mechanism
rechargeable batteries
bridgeable materials
solar powered