But what is eco-design?
Eco-design involves integrating environmental protection before, during, and after the manufacturing of a product or service . From the initial sourcing of raw materials, through its transformation, assembly, transport, use, and end-of-life, everything is analyzed and quantified. This allows for the implementation of actions to reduce its environmental impact throughout its entire lifespan.
Why switch to eco-design?
predominantly linear economy ; after a product's use and end of life, it is not designed or considered for a future "recyclable" or second-hand market. The problem lies with products that have a minimal lifespan or are single-use.
A product designed without resource conservation has an increasingly limited place in the transition to a green economy . Indeed, the functional economy is now much more prevalent; it involves replacing the concept of selling the product itself with selling the use of that product, thereby decoupling added value from energy and raw material consumption. It is part of this circular economy.
The goal is also to understand the impact and define initial actions to mitigate it.
For example, the life cycle of a cotton textile
And for that, it all starts with LCA, Life Cycle Assessment of a product. To define this concept, LCA is the principle of grouping and evaluating the inputs (raw material extraction), outputs (gas emissions, waste, etc.), and potential environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle. Ultimately, LCA allows us to measure the quantifiable effects of products or services on the environment.
LCA is a tool to help with the transition to eco-design, with a 3-part approach!
A preventive approach
– All human activities, whether economic or not, have an impact on the environment.
– Eco-design: Integrating environmental protection into the design of goods or services.
A comprehensive approach
– Multi-stage: raw material extraction, production, distribution, use and end of life.
– Multi-criteria: material and energy consumption, emissions into the environment, impact on climate and biodiversity, etc.
– Multi-stakeholder: involvement of all stakeholders.
A comprehensive approach
– Find design options to reduce the severity of major environmental problems.
– Evaluate improvements to ensure their effectiveness and that they do not exacerbate other impacts.
LCA has its limitations;
9 concepts that cannot be evaluated:
- Plastic Pollution
- Toxicity (microplastics)
- Problems related to GMOs
- Sustainable resource management
- Impact on biodiversity
- Pressure on food crops
- Social impacts
- The combined effects of several substances emitted simultaneously
Looking for eco-friendly and useful promotional items? Continue your visit in our dedicated category!