After our last class on labelling, our team decided to check out Energy Trumps Labelling Cards. It was an interesting idea to say the least, essentially these cards are a deck of 45 cards that visualize the environmental properties of select materials. The nice thing about this tactic, is the cards are visually appealing, and have a very clean, simple, and modern look to them. It is a good way of informing companies on the environmental impacts of certain materials and help guide them into choosing more green friendly products, or in turn create their products with more sustainable materials.

Despite the novelty idea of these “cool cards,” I do see several inconsistencies with their message, as they are delivering the cards used to inform in a very inefficient and environmentally UNFRIENDLY way, compared to alternative ways of delivering that message.

They additionally have a web-app that works with the cards, to bring those materials to a 3D form on consumers screen and shows the different amounts of material you can get for 1 megajoule of energy.

The only thing that does not make any sense in my mind– is how these cards cost 12.50 UK euros, not including shipping– and they are a physical material which will probably end up in the trash after the card knowledge is absorbed by the consumer. For trying to encourage consumers to make “sustainable” choices in regards to materials or inputs for their products, they are doing a terrible job of being consistent with this message as they have a very wasteful product themselves.

I do understand that Energy Trumps is a business, thus the physical cards lead as a source of revenue for the consumer. But there could be alternate ways to inform and educate consumers whilst saving waste from the physical cards, or shipping.

 

A better way to do a business model out of informing and educating your audience whilst ensuring the cards use is still relevant? Make the cards have a DUAL purpose. So have the deck of cards that inform AND entertain (while being an actual deck of cards or sustainability game!) So consumers can continually use them after they achieve the intended purpose of acquiring the knowledge from the cards.

I understand their company mission is in the right place, but how they deliver that message to consumers through an unsustainable way is what stumps me. What are you  guys’ thoughts on this subject?

Source:

http://www.agencyofdesign.co.uk/energytrumps/