Green Engineering Explained

11 Apr 2025

8 Min Read

Ir Ts Dr Low Jiun Hor (Academic Contributor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

Contributed by Ir Ts Dr Low Jiun Hor, whose research focus on functional polymers, MOF-polymer composites, and adhesives & coatings. He can be reached at jiunhor.low@taylors.edu.my.

When you hear the word green, what comes to mind? Solar panels? Wind farms? Maybe even electric cars silently gliding down the road. While these are powerful symbols of sustainability, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

The Bigger Picture of Green Engineering

At its core, green engineering is all about creating products, processes, and systems that are environmentally responsible throughout their entire life. It focuses on doing things smarter, cleaner, and more efficiently—not just during use, but right from how things are made to how they’re eventually disposed of.

Here are four key principles of green engineering:

Efficiency: Using less energy, water, and raw materials to achieve the same—or even better—results.
Minimal waste: Designing systems where waste is reduced or repurposed instead of discarded.
Life-cycle thinking: Looking at the full journey of a product—from raw material to manufacturing, usage, and eventual recycling.
Sustainable materials: Choosing materials that are renewable, biodegradable, or recycled.

Let’s look at an unexpected example from the world of fashion: your trainers.

Adidas, in collaboration with environmental group Parley for the Oceans, has designed shoes made from recycled ocean plastic. Every pair includes plastic waste collected from coastal areas, repurposed into performance footwear.

_{These aren't just prototypes—they're worn by athletes and sold globally, proving that sustainability and style can go hand in hand. Source: Parley.TV}

This is green engineering at work: turning a global pollution problem into a solution that’s practical, marketable, and eco-friendly. It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t confined to wind turbines or solar panels—it can be laced up and worn on your feet.

Real-World Green Engineering

Green engineering is already transforming major industries—and you can see its impact in everyday life.

In Manufacturing

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a global materials company, has partnered with Heng Hiap Industries (HHI) to transform ocean-bound plastic waste into high-quality circular polymers. These are plastics collected near coastlines before they reach the ocean. Instead of ending up as pollution, the waste is cleaned, processed, and reused in manufacturing products like electronics, automotive parts, and packaging.

Ocean-bound plastic (noun)

Discarded plastics found within 50 km of coastlines that are at high risk of ending up in the sea. By collecting and reprocessing them, engineers can prevent marine pollution and turn waste into new, valuable products.

In Transportation

In early 2024, Proton launched its first locally assembled EV, eMAS, in partnership with Geely. This stylish electric SUV is built with zero tailpipe emissions, advanced aerodynamic design, and intelligent systems, making it ideal for cleaner urban transport. As Malaysia’s own contribution to the EV movement, it marks a major shift towards sustainable mobility in the region.

_{The Emas was designed as a hybrid vehicle, featuring a 1.2-liter three-cylinder flex-fuel capable gasoline engine coupled with a 16.5 kWh electric battery. This setup allowed the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 14 seconds and achieve a top speed of 105 mph, with a total range of 350 miles and emissions of 60 g/km.}

But the green journey doesn’t stop on the ground.

In aviation, both AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) are making strides in sustainability through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)—a lower-carbon alternative to traditional jet fuel, made from waste oils and other renewable materials.

These efforts are part of a broader shift in the aviation industry towards cleaner skies, with engineers playing a central role in fuel innovation, aircraft efficiency, and sustainable airport infrastructure.

In Construction

In Malaysia, the iconic Diamond Building, home to the country’s Energy Commission, stands as a leading example. Its unique diamond-shaped design isn’t just for looks—it’s built to reduce solar heat gain, maximise natural lighting, and harvest rainwater, all while using energy-efficient systems.

_{The building has earned a Platinum rating under Malaysia’s Green Building Index, showcasing how smart design can reduce energy bills and environmental impact. Image Source: IEN Consultants}

The Circular Economy

What happens to your food wrappers, takeaway containers, or drink cups after you're done with them? In most cases, they end up in landfills—or worse, in the ocean. But green engineering offers a smarter solution through the circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible and waste is designed out of the system entirely.

Instead of the traditional ‘take-make-waste’ model, the circular economy follows a loop: reduce, reuse, recycle, and sometimes—regrow.

A great example is Singapore-based startup TRIA, which is changing how food packaging is designed and disposed of.

_{TRIA produces plant-based, fully compostable packaging for restaurants and cafes. But what makes their solution truly circular is the closed-loop system they offer: used packaging is collected and processed at their facilities, turning it into compost within just 24 hours. Image Source: MToday}

Other ways green engineering supports the circular economy include:

Designing long-lasting products that are easy to repair or upgrade.
Creating biodegradable alternatives to plastics used in packaging and cutlery.
Using factory waste—like excess heat or by-products—to generate power or new materials.

By rethinking waste, green engineers are showing that sustainability isn’t just about cutting back—it’s about creating smarter cycles that benefit people and the planet.

Green engineering works best when we mix global ideas with local needs—creating solutions that not only help the planet, but also make sense for our own communities.

— Ir Ts Dr Low Jiun Hor

Your Role in a Greener Future

So, what kind of mindset do you need to become a green engineer?

It’s not just about being good at maths or science (though that helps!). It’s about being curious, creative, and determined to make things better. Green engineers aren’t just solving technical problems—they’re reshaping the world around us, from how we design products to how we power cities.

Key skills for the next generation of green engineers:

Problem-solving & creativity
How do you create a building that cools itself without air conditioning? How can you turn banana peels into biodegradable plastic? These are the types of challenges green engineers tackle every day.
Knowledge of materials science
Understanding what makes a material sustainable, biodegradable, or energy-intensive is crucial. It's not just about what works—it's about what works better for the planet.
Life-cycle analysis
This means looking at the environmental impact of a product from start to finish—from raw materials to disposal. A seemingly harmless product could have a huge footprint if it's made using toxic chemicals or non-recyclable parts.

Where can this path take you?

Green engineers work in exciting and diverse fields:

Urban planning – Designing cities that are walkable, liveable, and climate-resilient.
Sustainable product design – Creating gadgets, wearables, or even fashion with minimal waste.
Renewable energy – Developing systems that harness solar, wind, or bioenergy efficiently.
Environmental consultancy – Helping companies meet eco goals and reduce emissions.

The world needs more engineers who think differently—who don’t just build things, but build better things. If you're passionate about protecting the planet and solving real problems, green engineering might just be your calling.

From designing eco-friendly buildings to engineering cleaner ways to move and live, the world needs bold thinkers who care about the planet. Begin your journey with a Foundation in Engineering—your first step toward a future in sustainable innovation, green technology, and impactful design.

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