What is Ecodesign?
Ecodesign is a strategic design management process that is concerned with minimising the impact of the life cycle of products and services (e.g. energy, materials, distribution, packaging and end-of-life treatment). This involves assessing, prioritising and then designing out problems, or designing new solutions. Ecodesign can also help communicate the environmental benefits of products and services to consumers.
Ecodesign = good design = good business practice
Ecodesign also takes into account social impacts in the production and consumption of products and services, making a significant contribution to sustainable development. Communicating and building ecodesign thinking into future product development is crucial.
Ecodesign Approaches
Life Cycle Thinking means considering the full life cycle impacts of a product, packaging or service. This includes material extraction, manufacture, distribution, retail, use and end-of-life. Completing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can make a comparison between different design options allowing the least damaging option to be selected.
Design for Disassembly considers the easy separation of different types of material from a product once its useful life has come to an end, to allow for effective recycling.
Reduce the negative impact of a product on the environment, for example by removing hazardous chemicals or materials, without compromising the design.
Re-Design the product or product system, for example by re-designing the product to take advantage of more sustainable materials and cleaner production methods
Re-Define a product or service into a solution that makes commercial sense whilst being sustainable, for example considering whether a car is the best solution to move from A to B.
Ecodesign can deliver direct competitive benefits to business through reducing costs, increasing innovation, improving brand positioning and enhancing business communications.
As a strategic design management process, ecodesign can also help companies comply proactively with environmental legislation.
The following product and service related legislation is relevant to Welsh industry:
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS)
- Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
- Energy Using Products Directive (EuP)
- End-of-Life Vehicle Directive (ELV)
- Landfill Directive
|
