137 To be regarded as sustainable, products must meet a number of criteria, including considering the environmental and social impacts during production, being sourced from suppliers who meet and preferably exceed environmental and social regulations, being designed and built to last, and being able to be repurposed at the end of their working life. The definition of sustainability is always up for redefinition to meet new challenges and encourage development of new technologies that enable better ways of solving problems. In the past, discussions about how to achieve sustainable interiors focused largely on the designers’ point of view, but owners are more active in the conversation now, frequently with clear green strategies of their own. When it comes to which options make it onto the ship, the cost of the best choices for the planet has long been a factor that keeps many good products from making it to the shortlist – but this is changing as momentum builds for greener interiors. Best-practice sourcing Ideally, sourcing materials for interior projects involves end-to-end thinking that takes into account the full life cycle of the design and considers how materials will be recycled or reused eventually. Best practices include looking at each product’s supply chain and opting for suppliers that comply with international labour legislation, minimise waste in their production facilities, use renewable resources and take steps to lower their GHG emissions. Information should be provided regarding the energy used in production, which raw materials can be regenerated, and the recycling possibilities. In addition, the environmental impact criteria should be included in the purchase specification, such as water usage and the level of CO2 emissions from fabrication and transport. Other factors to look out for when sourcing for interiors projects include the lifespan of materials and the environmental footprints of extraction, manufacturing, delivery, use and disposal. Availability of life-cycle analysis (from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling) assists with comparisons. Aspects such as the rarity of raw materials used and the amount of recycled content in products, along with the ease of deconstruction and redeployment of components or materials, are also important. In a maritime setting, IMO certification and SOLAS requirements for onboard use shape what is permissible regarding weight, fire and safety approval. For products containing chemicals, use of REACH-ready materials (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is important. Technological solutions such as galley energy management (GEM) systems, which measure, control and reduce energy consumption in galleys, are also increasingly used to determine the kinds of products that are suitable for a space. Specifying sustainable products
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