Abstract
Today, sustainability of products is often evaluated on the basis
of assessments of their environmental performance. Established
means for this purpose are formal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
methods. Designers have an essential influence on product design
and are therefore one target group for life cycle-based evaluation
methods. However, the application of LCA in the design process,
when for example different materials and manufacturing processes
have to be selected, is difficult. This is, among other things,
because only a few designers have a deeper background in this area
and even simplified LCAs involve calculations with a relatively
high accuracy. Most LCA methods do therefore not qualify as
hands-on tool for utilisation by typical designers.In this
context, the authors raise the question, whether a largely
simplified LCA-method which is exclusively based on energy
considerations can be used as a tool for quick overviews at the
conceptual level of product design. This is investigated by means
of three case studies where potential environmental impact is
estimated using the EDIP-method, the Eco-indicator 95 method, and
an energy-based "Oil Point method" proposed by the authors. It is
found that the results obtained using the Oil Point method are in
good conformity with the results obtained with more complex
methods. Two seminars with product developers, designers and
environmental specialists where the case studies were presented
indicated that the Oil Point method may well support designers in
evaluating environmental aspects during their work.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Life Cycle Design '98 |
Place of Publication | Stockholm |
Publisher | Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, Dep. of Machine Design |
Publication date | 1998 |
Pages | 25-34 |
Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Event | Life Cycle Design '98: The 5th International CIRP seminar
on life cycle engineering - Stockholm Duration: 1 Jan 1998 → … |
Conference
Conference | Life Cycle Design '98: The 5th International CIRP seminar on life cycle engineering |
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City | Stockholm |
Period | 01/01/1998 → … |