Design for Environment, Second Edition

A practical guide to designing products with the environment and sustainability in mind Now in paperback, Design for Environment, Second Edition sets forth the motivation and accepted methods for a business practice called Design for Environment (DFE), drawing upon the experiences of dozens of major U.S. corporations. Because of rising concerns about corporate environmental responsibility, DFE has become a key element of new product development. This book provides a unifying framework, based on sound management principles, whereby companies can simultaneously improve their financial performance and benefit the global environment. At the heart of this approach is the concept of "eco-efficiency," a measurable characteristic of products and processes that quantifies how companies generate more value with less adverse environmental impact. The purpose of the book is to provide both an informative introduction and a useful primary reference to those who wish to understand and practice DFE. It contains many concrete techniques, guidelines, and examples that will help to educate product development teams, both veterans and novices, about the practical aspects of DFE. It emphasizes a life-cycle approach, which considers the "cradle-to-cradle" costs and benefits associated with material acquisition, transportation, production, product use, and recovery for recycling or remanufacture. At the same time and for the benefit of senior managers, the book provides a sweeping overview of the cultural, political and economic changes that are transforming the role of environmental management in the business world. Design for Environment, Second Edition Includes anecdotal examples and graphical illustrations Presents industry-based implementation examples Shows how companies can redesign value delivery systems, including products and processes, to achieve both environmental excellence and economic prosperity Includes insights on how DFE methods can be seamlessly integrated into existing business practices, including innovation, product development, marketing, and life cycle management. Contains examples of leading companies that have put DFE into practice across a range of industries