To redesign a product for sustainability while maintaining its functionality, I’d begin with a thorough analysis of the product's current materials, manufacturing processes, and lifecycle. I’d focus on replacing materials with sustainable alternatives that retain performance, enhancing energy efficiency in production, and exploring modular or repairable design options that extend the product’s life. Rigorous testing throughout the design process ensures that the new sustainable features don’t compromise usability or quality, allowing us to meet both environmental and functional goals.

1. Material Selection: Choose biodegradable, recycled, or sustainable materials that maintain the product's strength and durability. 2. Design for Disassembly: Design the product so it can be easily taken apart for repair, recycling, or upgrading components, thus extending its life cycle. 3. Energy Efficiency: Integrate energy-saving technologies or mechanisms to ensure the product consumes less power without compromising performance.

Balancing sustainability and functionality in product design requires a careful approach to both environmental and performance goals. I start by conducting a lifecycle analysis to assess the product’s environmental impact from production to disposal, identifying areas where improvements can be made. I prioritize sustainable materials that offer both durability and minimal environmental harm while ensuring the product performs at its best. Incorporating modular design is another key strategy—this allows products to be easily repaired or upgraded, reducing waste and extending their lifespan. Additionally, collaborating with suppliers to explore innovative, eco-friendly alternatives and maintaining a focus on long-term value helps.

To redesign sustainably while maintaining functionality, start by focusing on material innovation, like bio-based or recycled materials that meet performance standards. Use a modular approach, enabling components to be replaced or upgraded without discarding the entire product. Incorporate user feedback to ensure the redesign improves usability and meets expectations. Test prototypes rigorously to balance durability, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. Example: Adidas’s Made to Be Remade shoes are designed entirely from recyclable materials, ensuring performance while promoting a circular lifecycle.