Designing for Sustainability: Material Impacts and Life Cycle Strategies 

Material Impacts and Life Cycle Strategies 

  • Public
  • Virtual
  • Cascale Event

Sustainable design starts with materials.

Date & Time
April 14 2026 | 11:00 - 12:00 (EDT)
Location
Virtual

Sustainable design starts with materials. By understanding what materials are made of, where they come from, how they move and transform through the supply chain, and what happens at end‑of‑life, designers can make choices that dramatically reduce environmental and social impacts.

Educator Rico Ruffino will share practical strategies for launching sustainable design projects – whether you are working in interior design, furniture, or product design and development. Topics include:

  • Material selection and tracking are the foundation of sustainability
  • Ethical and stewardship considerations for any design
  • Application of the “80% rule” — recognizing that most environmental and end-of-life impacts are locked in during the design phase.
  • The full life cycle of a material and its effects on ecosystems and communities
  • How to strengthen ownership of material inputs and outcomes to influence suppliers and support circular end‑of‑life strategies

Strategies from this presentation come from Ruffino’s book Omni Design Ecosystem, which offers a flexible methodology for applying sustainable design principles to any product. His framework helps designers integrate environmental and social considerations from concept through end-of-life, regardless of scale or category.

Join us on April 14 at 11 AM ET — save your spot.

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