A few years ago I was working at a design school in Cincinnati when I encountered a list that I immediately loved: 11 Questions to Ask Before We Design, Buy, or Specify Anything. I immediately copied it down onto a sticky on my desktop so I could see it all the time.

For your viewing pleasure:

  1. Do we need it? Can we live without it?

  2. Is the project designed to minimize waste?

  3. Can it be smaller, lighter or made from fewer materials?

  4. Is it designed to be durable or multi-functional?

  5. Does it use renewable resources?

  6. Is reuse practical and encouraged?

  7. Are the product and packaging refillable, recyclable, or repairable?
  8. Is it made with post-consumer recycled or reclaimed materials and how much?
  9. Are the materials available in a less toxic form? Can it be made with less toxic materials?
  10. Is it available from a socially and environmentally responsible company?
  11. Is it made locally?

[courtesy of Chris Hacker, via Core77]

Any thoughts? Do you guys have any qualifications or a rundown that you go through before you purchase something?

Related posts:

  1. Throwback Thursday: Eleven Questions to Ask Before We Design, Buy, or Specify Anything
  2. Cincinnati [and beyond!] Design, Fashion, and All Sorts of Win
  3. Things to Ask Before You Buy a Piece of Clothing, Part 1: Economic
  4. How to answer the “When are you going to get MARRIED?!” questions [in ways that are less abrasive than "None of your @#&*ing business."]