Improvement objectives and strategies for basic type A
(raw material intensive product)
Use alternative materials
Different materials show a varying impact on the environment in their extraction. The requirement for resources and energy also varies depending on the material selected.
Is it thinkable, in principle, to replace those materials of a product that have been identified as particularly resource-consuming (such as virgin aluminum, copper, carbon fiber...) by other materials?
Target: Reduction of environmental impact by using environmentally sound materials, recycled materials, renewable materials, ...
Use less of a given type of material
An improvement of the environmental impact can also be realized by generally reducing the material input.
Is it possible to minimize the amount of resource-consuming material used in the product?
Target: Reduction of amount of material by design aiming at optimum strength, integration of functions, ...
Make intensive use of resources
Optimum use of the product results in an efficient use of the various materials contained in the product. This is an important approach to an economical use of resources. Products that are easy to handle and that require only little maintenance provide for an efficient use.
Is it possible to further improve handling, functionality and thus the usability of the product?
Is it possible to prolong the life cycle of the product by means of regular tests of the functionality and operational safety?
Target: Improved usability of products through adaptability, ergonomics, ...
Target: Improved functionality by means of upgrading, multi functionality, ...
Target: Improving maintenance through wear detection, ...
Use resources as long as possible
A long product life ensures optimum utilization of the materials used in the production process. Ease of repair avoids premature disposal of the product.
Is it possible to further prolong the life time of the product?
Target: Durability through dimensioning, surface design, ...
Target: Improving access to, disassembling, and exchange, ... of parts
Reuse materials contained in the product
Careful utilization of resources also means to use renewable raw materials and/or secondary materials (recycled materials).
Is it possible to reuse resource-consuming materials from the product after its end of life and to integrate them in well-functioning closed material cycles?
Is it necessary, for this purpose, to disassemble components or to separate different materials after the service life of the product?
Target: Make possible product take back and ease of disassembling (fastness, ...)
Target: Make possible reuse of parts (access, remanufacturing, ...)
Target: Make possible recycling of materials (separation, labeling, ...)
Improvement objectives and strategies for basic type B
(manufacture intensive product)
Use less energy and material in the production process
Different methods of manufacture vary as to their environmental impact. They require different amounts of resources and energy to produce a given product. Environmental damage often results from the application of inadequate production processes.
Is it possible to reduce the amount of energy and material necessary for production?
Is it possible to use alternative types of energy?
Is it possible to avoid or reduce the consumption of auxiliary and process materials in the production process?
Target: Reduction of energy consumption throughout production by means of optimized processes, renewable energy, ...
Target: Reduction of environmental impact caused by consumption of process materials in production process (closed cycles, ...)
More efficient use of materials used in the production process
Optimum use of materials in the production process also helps to reduce costs for the procurement of materials as well as for waste disposal.
Is it possible to further reduce waste and/or emissions generated in the production process?
Target: Reduction of waste in production through material efficiency, recycling, ...
Purchase of external materials/components
The environmental quality of a product also depends on the quality of the parts and components purchased from other manufacturers.
Is it possible to procure materials, parts, and components in a way as to ensure environmentally sound manufacture?
Is it possible to further reduce the requirement for transportation in the procurement of external parts?
Target: Environmentally sound procurement of product parts
Use the product as intensively as possible
Optimum utilization of the product ensures an efficient use of the valuable resources contained in the product. This is an important approach to an economical use of resources.
Is it possible to further improve handling, functionality, and thus the overall functional quality of the product (and its components)?
Is it possible to extend the service life by means of regular tests of the functionality and operational safety of the product?
Target: Improved usability of products through adaptability, ergonomics, ...
Target: Improved functionality by means of upgrading, multi functionality, ...
Target: Improving maintenance through wear detection, ...
Use the product for a longer period of time
A long service life of the product also ensures efficient use of the individual parts and components. Ease of repair prevents premature disposal of the product.
Is it possible to further prolong the service life of the product?
Target: Durability through dimensioning, surface design, ...
Target: Improving access to, disassembling, and exchange, ... of parts
Reuse components and/or the product
Refurbishing the product at the end of life and reusing components that require a high input in the production process avoids cost-intensive manufacture of new components.
Is it possible to take back the product (or parts and components) and to disassemble them if necessary?
Is it possible to refurbish high-input parts and components and to reuse them in a new product?
Target: Make possible product take back and ease of disassembling (fastness, ...)
Target: Make possible reuse of parts (access, remanufacturing, ...)
Improvement objectives and strategies for basic type C
(transportation intensive product)
Change packaging
As packaging material is useful only for a limited period of time (unless it is returnable) the type and quantity of material used for packaging have to be optimized. Especially with products that have to be transported over long distances, the weight of the packaging material, too, has a great influence on the overall consumption of resources.
Is it possible to reduce the weight of the packaging material?
Is it possible to use returnable packaging or renewable or recycled materials for packaging?
Target: Optimization of packaging by taking into account material characteristics, renewability, closed cycles, ...
Change transportation
The various systems of transportation differ as to their environmental impact. Long distance transportation of products should be realized as efficiently as possible.
Is it possible to reduce the overall input required for the transportation of the product?
Target: Reduction of the overall requirement for transportation
Improvement objectives and strategies for basic type D
(use intensive product)
Realize a high degree of functionality
Reliable and functionally sound products ensure maximum benefit from the resources used and also guarantee customer satisfaction.
Is it possible to further improve the functional quality of the product (and its components)?
Is it possible to prolong the useful life of the product by means of regular tests of its functionality and operational safety?
Target: Improved functionality by means of upgrading, multi functionality, ...
Target: Improving maintenance through wear detection, ...
Ensure safe use of the product
With products that are used intensively, operational safety is particularly important.
Does the product hold a potential risk to the environment, is it possible to take measures that minimize this risk?
Target: Risk minimization
Reduce energy and material input at use stage
The more often a product is used the greater the proportion of resources used up and of waste and emissions generated at the use stage in relation to the overall environmental impact caused by the product during its life cycle.
Is it possible to reduce the consumption of energy and material at the use stage?
Is it possible to reduce the amount of waste and emissions generated during the use of the product?
Target: Reducing the consumption of energy and process materials during product use
Target: Avoiding waste during product use
Improvement objectives and strategies for basic type E
(disposal intensive product)
Use alternative materials
The selection of materials has a great influence on the input required for recycling or disposal at the end of life of a product
Is it possible to reduce the input for disposal by choosing alternative materials?
Target: Reduction of environmental impact by using environmentally sound materials, recycled materials, renewable materials, ...
Prolonged Use of the Product
The end of life of a product may be delayed by a design aiming at a long service life of the product (and/or its components). This is particularly important with components containing hazardous materials, which are difficult to recycle or which require a high input for disposal.
Is it possible and does it make sense to prolong the useful life of the product?
Is it possible to avoid premature disposal of the product by repairing it?
Target: Durability through dimensioning, surface design, ...
Target: Improving access to, disassembling, and exchange, ... of parts
Disassembly and Recycling
The more parts and components of the product can be reused and the easier materials can be recycled the less material has to be disposed of; the input necessary for disposal will be limited and resources contained in the product may be reused or recycled. In this context design should aim at reusing parts and components as this approach avoids the destruction of the structure of components and thus preserves the value of individual parts.
Is it possible to recycle materials?
Is it necessary for this purpose to disassemble components or to separate different materials?
Target: Make possible product take back and ease of disassembling (fastness, ...)
Target: Make possible reuse of parts (access, remanufacturing, ...)
Target: Make possible recycling of materials (separation, labeling, ...)
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Institute for Engineering Design - ECODESIGN
Selecting the right materials