Sustainable Consumption - Eco-design

Title

Sustainability of bio-based plastics: general comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 23, Issue 1, March 2012, Pages 47–56

Author(s)

Clara Rosalía Álvarez-Chávez, Sally Edwards, Rafael Moure-Eraso,
Kenneth Geiser

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

This study evaluated the sustainability of bio-based plastics including all the stages of their life cycles (cradle to grave) to assist in decision making about selection of these materials. Plastics are considered essential materials in today’s society, but throughout their life cycles they contribute to pollution and depletion of non-renewable natural resources. Bio-based plastics appear to be more environmentally friendly materials than their petroleum-based counterparts when their origin and biodegradability are compared. But which of the bio-based plastics currently on the market or soon to be on the market are preferable from an environmental, health, and safety perspective? Results of this qualitative study were displayed in two Bioplastics Spectrums that provide a visual summary of the data gathered on bio-based plastics according to sustainability criteria. This analysis found that none of bio-based plastics currently in commercial use or under development are fully sustainable. Each of the bio-based plastics reviewed utilizes: genetically modified organisms for feedstock manufacture and/or toxic chemicals in the production process or generates these as byproducts, and/or co-polymers from non-renewable resources. When deciding to substitute conventional petroleum-based plastics with bio-based plastics it is important to understand the flow of these materials and their adverse impacts in all parts of their life cycles in order to select a material that is more sustainable.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Ecodesign
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry

Keywords

Bio-based plastic; Bioplastic; Sustainability; Life cycle

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965261100374X
There is a fee to view this study in full    

Contact the study author at:

ralvarez@guayacan.uson.mx

Title

A taxonomy of ecodesign tools for integrating environmental requirements into the product design process

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 20, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 61-71

Author(s)

M.D. Bovea, V. Pérez-Belis

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Over the years a wide range of techniques have been developed to evaluate the environmental performance of products. However, they all consider the environmental aspect of a product in an isolated way, without taking into account the remaining requirements that a designer has to consider during the design process. Hence, the integration of environmental aspects into the early stages of the design process together with a multi-criteria approach that makes it possible to balance the environmental requirements against other traditional requirements are two of the key factors for successful sustainable design. This article reviews and classifies tools that have been developed to evaluate the environmental requirement of products and to facilitate its integration into the product design process. With the intention of providing designers with a brief guide to selecting the ecodesign tool that best fits a specific case study, a classification was made according to criteria such as: 1) the method applied for the environmental assessment, 2) the product requirements that need to be integrated in addition to the environmental one (multi-criteria approach), 3) whether the tool has a life cycle perspective (i.e. it considers all the stages of the life cycle of a product), 4) the nature of the results (qualitative or quantitative), 5) the stages of the conceptual design process where the tool can be applied, and 6) the methodology taken as a basis for such integration.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Ecodesign

Keywords

Environmental requirement; Ecodesign; Design methodologies; Review; Taxonomy

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611002538
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

bovea@emc.uji.es

Title

Emerging design strategies in sustainable production and consumption of textiles and clothing

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 19, Issue 16, November 2011, Pages 1876-1883

Author(s)

Kirsi Niinimäki, Lotta Hassi

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This study contributes to current knowledge of sustainability in textile and clothing production and consumption. When the textile and clothing industry aims to promote sustainability, the main change factors have been linked to eco-materials and ethical issues in production. At present, however, business models are mainly linked with a large volume of sales and production. Although industrial development has moved toward smaller environmental impact, production as well as consumption has increased to levels where the benefits of technological development are reduced. A change is thus needed to reach a systemic transformation, not only in production but also in consumption. The aim of this paper is to open up the discussion on opportunities for radical change in this industry. The paper presents ways to rethink and redesign business in the textile and clothing field by offering an overview on several design strategies that exist today in niche markets. Furthermore we evaluate how interested consumers are in these design strategies and discuss the opportunities these design approaches offer to sustainable development through new value creation.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Ecodesign
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Textile industry; Sustainable design strategies; Value creation; Strategic innovation

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611001569
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

kirsiniin@gmail.com

Title

Paving the way for the ISO 14006 ecodesign standard: an exploratory study in Spanish companies

Reference

Author(s)

German Arana-Landin and Inaki Heras-Saizarbitoria

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

A Spanish ecodesign standard (the UNE 150301) is being used as a basic reference point in paving the way for the future ISO 14006 ecodesign standard which may foreseeably be passed in 2011. This article aims to analyze the experience regarding adoption of the UNE 150301 in Spain.
Following an analysis of the standard's structure, its objectives and scope, its real implementation process is then analyzed based on an exploratory qualitative study carried out in four Spanish companies that have been pioneers in adopting this environmental standard. The conclusion is drawn in the article that in all the cases analyzed, the greatest source of impact occurs in the phase in which the product is used and is related to energy consumption. Companies appear to be satisfied with the adoption of this standard and, in particular, point out that they have managed to reduce the environmental impact of their products. However, they draw attention to the fact that, to deal with certain instances of impact that increases in cost entail, administrative bodies need to establish mandatory regulations, as environmentally-friendly companies would otherwise lose competitiveness.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Ecodesign
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >>Sustainable business and industry

Keywords

Ecodesign, ISO 14006, UNE 150301, Environmental impact, Life cycle

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611000394
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

g.arana@ehu.es