Implementation of design for sustainability in developing trophy plaque using green kenaf polymer composites

The reliance on nonrenewable resources in developing new product toward sustaining the ecological balance can be reduced by utilizing natural fiber reinforced composites. In this chapter, the design for sustainability approach is implemented to design and fabricate a prototype of an environmentally friendly trophy plaque (used as an award and gift) using kenaf fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester polymer composites. The kenaf composites trophy plaque development processes involved in this project are market investigation, creating the product design specification, developing the plaque conceptual design, detail design including plaque mold, manufacturing of the plaque mold and plaque component, and finally product assembly. In addition to its environmentally friendly properties, the final kenaf composites trophy plaque product development in this project also successfully achieved other design intents including lightweight, easy to fabricate, low cost, and having an acceptable balance between aesthetics and functionality.