In order to achieve sustainability within the design industry, designers and educators working within changing value systems need to develop practical and contextualised solutions.

This paper examines ecological principles based on growing environmental awareness and the need to imbue responsibility towards our environment and relate appropriate technology.

Although the issues surrounding ‘green’ or ‘ecologically friendly’ designs are many and varied, the choice and use of suitable materials can play a major role in achieving sustainable design. In order to demonstrate how ecological principles can manifest themselves in the development of sustainable practices and products, I will discuss the process that I implemented for the design and manufacture of furniture items made from post-consumer waste.