Question 1: Define the term 'sustainability' as it relates to industry and manufacturing.

Answer: Sustainability in industry refers to designing, producing, and operating products and processes in a way that minimizes environmental impact, conserves resources, and supports long-term ecological balance.

Question 2: Identify three common materials used in industry that can be recycled or reused to promote sustainability.

Answer: Examples include paper/cardboard, metals (such as aluminum and steel), and plastics (such as PET or HDPE).

Question 3: Describe one way that industries can reduce their energy consumption to become more sustainable.

Answer: Industries can reduce energy consumption by upgrading to energy-efficient machinery, implementing renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, or optimizing production processes to minimize waste.

Question 4: Explain the environmental benefits of using biodegradable materials in manufacturing.

Answer: Biodegradable materials decompose naturally, reducing landfill waste, decreasing pollution, and lessening the impact on ecosystems compared to traditional plastics or non-degradable materials.

Question 5: Design Brief: Your task is to create a sustainable packaging solution for a new product. Write a brief outline of the key features your packaging should have to be environmentally friendly.

Answer: The packaging should use recycled or biodegradable materials, be minimal in size to reduce waste, be reusable or recyclable, and designed to reduce energy used in production.

Question 6: Sketch a simple design for an eco-friendly product container. Include labels for any key features that make it sustainable.

Answer: A correct sketch would include a container made from recycled cardboard or biodegradable plastic, with labels indicating 'recyclable,' 'biodegradable,' or 'made from recycled materials.'

Question 7: Identify and explain two sustainable manufacturing practices that companies can adopt to reduce waste.

Answer: Practices include implementing lean manufacturing to eliminate excess, and recycling scrap materials within the production process to minimize waste sent to landfill.

Question 8: Outline a plan for how a factory could reduce water usage during production processes.

Answer: The plan could involve reusing greywater, installing water-efficient machinery, and optimizing processes to minimize water use, such as closed-loop systems.

Question 9: Sketch a concept for a product that uses renewable energy sources in its operation. Label the parts that harness renewable energy.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a product powered by solar panels or small wind turbines, with labels indicating the energy source and its connection to the main device.