How Does Eco-Design Impact a Product’s Life Cycle?

Like human activity, products influence and leave traces of their passage on the environment. Indeed, products consume “energy, water, processed materials, and raw materials. They also emit noise, vibrations, volatile substances, and electromagnetic waves. All of this can harm the environment. Today,” eco-design is spreading to more and more companies and could even become an essential part of production!

So, what is “eco-design? How does it impact the product life cycle? Is it beneficial for companies to engage in” eco-design? Trustt gives you more explanations.

Definition of the Eco-Design Concept

The objective of eco-design, also called eco-design, is to reduce the environmental impacts of products throughout their life cycle.

A Global Approach

The useful life cycle of a product, from its birth to its death, is divided into 6 stages:

• Design,
• Raw material extraction,
• Manufacturing,
• Transport,
• Usage,
• And end of life.

In an “eco-design approach, all stages of the product life cycle are analyzed: from the extraction of raw materials, to” the end of life of the product, including manufacturing, use, transport, and end-of-life product management.

Brands can adopt an eco-design approach at each stage of the product life cycle while preserving its intrinsic qualities. They complement each other.

Eco-design is considered at all levels of production, involving engineers, designers, buyers, and logistics managers.

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A Multi-Stage, Multi-Criteria, and Multi-Actor Approach

The “multi-stage approach of” eco-design requires a very detailed analysis that allows no environmental impact to be overlooked.

Eco-design is also a multi-criteria approach as it takes into account all environmental impacts: eutrophication, acidification, ecotoxicity, greenhouse effect, non-renewable energy, rare resources, tropospheric ozone, toxicity.

Finally, eco-design is multi-actor, as it involves a large number of stakeholders throughout the product life cycle, including consumers and recyclers.

An Analysis Tool: LCA (Life Cycle Analysis)

There are several analysis tools available to companies for evaluating a product. For example, the LCA or Life Cycle Analysis, which is a scientifically recognized and standardized method (ISO 14040 / ISO 14044). It allows:

• To evaluate the input and output flows of materials and energy in the life cycle of a product;
• To carry out an Input / Output assessment of a product system;
• To convert them into several environmental impacts.

The LCA is a very effective tool, however, it has some limitations. Indeed, it does not take into account criteria such as noise, odors, the impact of waves, etc.

The Benefits of Eco-Design for Companies

Eco-design “is an approach that aims to develop and design products while respecting the principles of sustainable development and the environment. The first benefit of this approach is obviously environmental!” Eco-design of products allows for better preservation of resources from biodiversity, prevention of pollution and nuisances.

But that’s not all! Eco-design is a forward-looking approach that also has many advantages for companies that decide to embark on it:

Optimized Products of Better Quality

Eco-designing a product means analyzing it in detail throughout its lifecycle. The eco-design approach pushes both engineers and designers to go further in innovation to positively respond to the challenge of sustainable development. By functioning this way, brands are able to identify areas for improvement regarding quality, functionalities, materials, and technologies used to design these products. Thanks to this continuous approach, they can launch more refined, optimized products, created from more durable materials, and thus offer products that last longer to consumers.

Anticipation of trends

Brands can engage in eco-design at several levels. This can range from simple product optimization to creating a completely innovative new system. Eco-design requires a significant investment from companies. This approach, which involves deepening reflections and projecting into the future, gives them the opportunity to detect upcoming trends and thus offer more innovative products. Companies that adopt an eco-design approach often have a head start on competing brands.

Better control of production costs

During an eco-design approach, which consists of analyzing all stages of a product’s lifecycle to limit its environmental impact, other data is evaluated. Indeed, at each stage of the product’s lifecycle, the associated costs are measured. This approach provides a better understanding and therefore better control of the cost structure.

An increase in turnover

Offering products with minimized environmental impact allows companies to boost their brand image! Indeed, more than just a product or service that suits them, consumers expect brands to be involved and committed to creating a better world. The environmental issue is at the heart of their concerns. According to a study conducted by Accenture: 56% of French people expect companies to take a clear position on these issues and adopt ethical practices. Adopting an eco-design approach is a real asset in terms of image as it meets the new needs of consumers. By developing eco-designed products, brands can attract new customers sensitive to this approach, access new markets, and thus positively impact their turnover.

Strengthening team engagement

Integrating “eco-design at the heart of the company’s professions allows for mobilizing the” entire team around “an inspiring project that carries meaning and value. Proposing a clear action plan to” all members of the “company allows for stimulating, motivating, and uniting them around” a common goal, which will inevitably positively impact the “company’s productivity.”