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ECODESIGN
WHAT IS ECODESIGN ?
It is a method of design that reduces the impacts related to the environment, health, and non-renewable resources. It is called sustainable design when it is also socially equitable. This approach takes into consideration the entire product lifecycle from cradle-to-cradle, that is, from the extraction of the raw materials to the end of life landfill or recycling.
LIFECYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LCA)
It is an important tool in Ecodesign. LCA is an internationally accepted method to perform assessments of the environmental impacts of materials, processes, or products. Impacts are quantified for each phase of a product lifecycle. An impact factor is determined for the type and quantity of materials used, fabrication processes, lifetime energy use, transportation, and landfill or recycling methods. These Eco-indicators rate each item for impacts to the environment, health, and resources.
Once the impacts are quantified and added up, it is possible to compare different concepts and to pick the most sustainable design. In addition to this tool, many strategies exist to reduce the environmental and social impacts of a product by considering the manufacturing sites, processes, and recycling or reuse possibilities.
ENVIRONMENT IS A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
The green product market is expanding rapidly, and environment is a trendy subject. The number of eco-friendly consumers is constantly growing, and they are willing to pay a little bit more to buy sustainable and eco-friendly products. Ropers ASW's Green Gauge Report indicates that they now represent 30% of the North American population, compared to 7% in 2002.
The main problem for these green consumers is to find eco-friendly products. Many leading companies rapidly identified this opportunity and already benefit from it. Some example are the Nike Considered footwear line, the Nokia 3110 Evolve cell phone, the SMART car, Cascades Cascades's Enviro paper product line, and fair trade or organic foods. These products sell at high-end prices while competing products must fight on price to stick out of the crowd. Even Walmart is looking for green products, they created a specific website for eco-friendly products.
Moreover, Eco-responsible consumers prefer to buy locally produced goods as it lowers the energy necessary for transportation, thus creating a market segment protected from the emerging countries competition. This new market segment makes it possible again to sell locally produced goods with good profit margins, and contributes to the local economy.
It seems logical that using less resource to manufacture products means cost savings. According to Xerox Canada's CEO Paul Allaire "Xerox's environmental initiatives have already saved hundreds of millions of dollars, helping support the notion that what is good for the environment is also good for business."
BE A LEADER
As this is an emerging market segment, it may be still time for your company to be the first in your industry to become eco-responsible and offer sustainable products. You could immediately profit from the positive results on the environment, your profit margin, and your corporate image.
START TODAY
Contact us to start an Ecodesign project, or to learn more on sustainable design.
It is a method of design that reduces the impacts related to the environment, health, and non-renewable resources. It is called sustainable design when it is also socially equitable. This approach takes into consideration the entire product lifecycle from cradle-to-cradle, that is, from the extraction of the raw materials to the end of life landfill or recycling.
LIFECYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LCA)
It is an important tool in Ecodesign. LCA is an internationally accepted method to perform assessments of the environmental impacts of materials, processes, or products. Impacts are quantified for each phase of a product lifecycle. An impact factor is determined for the type and quantity of materials used, fabrication processes, lifetime energy use, transportation, and landfill or recycling methods. These Eco-indicators rate each item for impacts to the environment, health, and resources.
Once the impacts are quantified and added up, it is possible to compare different concepts and to pick the most sustainable design. In addition to this tool, many strategies exist to reduce the environmental and social impacts of a product by considering the manufacturing sites, processes, and recycling or reuse possibilities.
ENVIRONMENT IS A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
The green product market is expanding rapidly, and environment is a trendy subject. The number of eco-friendly consumers is constantly growing, and they are willing to pay a little bit more to buy sustainable and eco-friendly products. Ropers ASW's Green Gauge Report indicates that they now represent 30% of the North American population, compared to 7% in 2002.
The main problem for these green consumers is to find eco-friendly products. Many leading companies rapidly identified this opportunity and already benefit from it. Some example are the Nike Considered footwear line, the Nokia 3110 Evolve cell phone, the SMART car, Cascades Cascades's Enviro paper product line, and fair trade or organic foods. These products sell at high-end prices while competing products must fight on price to stick out of the crowd. Even Walmart is looking for green products, they created a specific website for eco-friendly products.
Moreover, Eco-responsible consumers prefer to buy locally produced goods as it lowers the energy necessary for transportation, thus creating a market segment protected from the emerging countries competition. This new market segment makes it possible again to sell locally produced goods with good profit margins, and contributes to the local economy.
It seems logical that using less resource to manufacture products means cost savings. According to Xerox Canada's CEO Paul Allaire "Xerox's environmental initiatives have already saved hundreds of millions of dollars, helping support the notion that what is good for the environment is also good for business."
BE A LEADER
As this is an emerging market segment, it may be still time for your company to be the first in your industry to become eco-responsible and offer sustainable products. You could immediately profit from the positive results on the environment, your profit margin, and your corporate image.
START TODAY
Contact us to start an Ecodesign project, or to learn more on sustainable design.