Eco product development combining eco design and life cycle assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Jamile Damasceno Barbosa ◽  
Vitor Hugo de Paiva Santos ◽  
Priscilla Cavalcante de Araújo ◽  
Felipe Lucas de Medeiros ◽  
Letícia Yasmin da Silva Otaviano

PurposeThe paper aims to propose the development of an eco product to replace the traditional cotton swab that meets the expected needs, besides having a bias based on sustainability and economic viability.Design/methodology/approachThe applied nature article opted for an exploratory and descriptive study, with the objective of seeking a solution to a real problem: to reduce the environmental impact in the disposal of cotton swabs. To test this hypothesis, the exploratory stage evaluated the literature on the principles of eco design and environmental marketing to understand market viability and environmental impacts. The descriptive phase presented a comparative analysis between the original product and the proposed one, in terms of production processes and impacts of the product life cycle. Thus, an alternative product was conceived and validated applying the life cycle analysis (LCA).FindingsThe paper provides a comparative analysis between the eco product and the traditional product in order to validate the hypothesis that the new proposal reduces the environmental impact. It was found that both productive processes have similar impacts; however, the raw material of the proposed eco product demonstrated a significant reduction in the impact caused on the environment, considering cradle to cradle analysis.Originality/valueThis paper conceives an eco product as an alternative to traditional cotton swab, presenting an innovative potential in line with worldwide sustainability trends.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7386
Author(s):  
Thomas Schaubroeck ◽  
Simon Schaubroeck ◽  
Reinout Heijungs ◽  
Alessandra Zamagni ◽  
Miguel Brandão ◽  
...  

To assess the potential environmental impact of human/industrial systems, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a very common method. There are two prominent types of LCA, namely attributional (ALCA) and consequential (CLCA). A lot of literature covers these approaches, but a general consensus on what they represent and an overview of all their differences seems lacking, nor has every prominent feature been fully explored. The two main objectives of this article are: (1) to argue for and select definitions for each concept and (2) specify all conceptual characteristics (including translation into modelling restrictions), re-evaluating and going beyond findings in the state of the art. For the first objective, mainly because the validity of interpretation of a term is also a matter of consensus, we argue the selection of definitions present in the 2011 UNEP-SETAC report. ALCA attributes a share of the potential environmental impact of the world to a product life cycle, while CLCA assesses the environmental consequences of a decision (e.g., increase of product demand). Regarding the second objective, the product system in ALCA constitutes all processes that are linked by physical, energy flows or services. Because of the requirement of additivity for ALCA, a double-counting check needs to be executed, modelling is restricted (e.g., guaranteed through linearity) and partitioning of multifunctional processes is systematically needed (for evaluation per single product). The latter matters also hold in a similar manner for the impact assessment, which is commonly overlooked. CLCA, is completely consequential and there is no limitation regarding what a modelling framework should entail, with the coverage of co-products through substitution being just one approach and not the only one (e.g., additional consumption is possible). Both ALCA and CLCA can be considered over any time span (past, present & future) and either using a reference environment or different scenarios. Furthermore, both ALCA and CLCA could be specific for average or marginal (small) products or decisions, and further datasets. These findings also hold for life cycle sustainability assessment.


Author(s):  
Beata Hricová ◽  
Ervin Lumnitzer

AbstractEnvironmental performance of each product is defined already at the stage of its design - in its pre-production stage. Environmental quality of the product is one of the most important factors of environmental performance of a product. Environmental quality includes a range of criteria that indicate the nature of the product and its environmental impact throughout its life cycle. The comparative analysis method is one of the ways to assess the environmental quality of the product. The article gives a specific example of the assessments carried out on the impact drills (of one specific brand) with different technical parameters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Rika Chairani ◽  
Aulia Risky Adinda ◽  
Dennis Fillipi ◽  
Muhamad Jatmoko ◽  
I Wayan Koko Suryawan

The cement industry is one type of industry that has implications for the emergence of environmental pollution problems and a decrease in environmental quality due to dust pollution. The cement industry can also increase air temperature and noise in operational activities by using machines. In addition, the impact of the cement industry is the decline in the quality of soil fertility due to clay mining. Thus, an analytical study is needed that can be used as one of the policy bases in the operational process of the cement industry. This study aims to conduct an analysis of environmental loads at each stage in the product life cycle, make decisions to identify environmental loads, and evaluate the environmental impact of a product that plays an important role in sustainable development. This method is known as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). In this study, the boundary system used is cradle to gate with a three-scenario approach. The first uses 100% coal fuel, the second uses 90% coal fuel, and the third uses 10% rice husk biomass. Then the analysis was carried out using the OpenLCA software. The results of the analysis showed that the most significant emission load was carbon dioxide of 1229.31 kg CO2eq. The third scenario produces the lowest carbon dioxide emission load compared to other methods of 849.1 kg.


Author(s):  
S. Boughrara ◽  
M. Chedri ◽  
K. Louhab

The aim of this study is the use of Life Cycle Assessment, to evaluate the impact generated by cement manufactory situated in Sour EL Ghozlane town in Algeria country, which use the dry process to produce cement Portland. The LCA method is used for compiling and examining the inputs and outputs of energy, raw material and environmental impacts directly attributable to the manufacture and functioning of a product throughout its life. It is also used to determine element and energy contributing to each impact evaluated. Potentials impacts are evaluated using the SimaProV.7.1 software and IMPACT2000+ method in this study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-407
Author(s):  
Shiyang Gong ◽  
Wanqin Wang ◽  
Qian Li

Purpose This study aims to explore the interdependent impacts of online word-of-mouth (WOM) and online ads on digital product adoptions, as well as their dynamic changes throughout the product life cycle. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted an empirical approach by using a unique data set of five mobile games launched between 2012 and 2014 provided by Renren Games Ltd. in China. Findings The results indicated that advertising generally has a positive impact on WOM. During the product life cycle, the influence on volume and variance gradually decreases, whereas the impact on valence increases over time. WOM (including WOM volume and WOM valence) and advertising both have positive impacts on game adoptions. They complement each other to shape adoptions throughout the product life cycle: advertising is more effective in encouraging adoptions in the early and later stages of the demand evolution process, whereas WOM has a greater impact on adoptions in the mid-stage. Practical implications This study provided detailed managerial recommendations on how to effectively integrate different types of marketing communication and optimize the investment strategy of online ads and online WOM in different stages of the product life cycle. Originality/value First, the study enriched the theory of digital marketing communication by studying the relationship between mass media (online ads), interpersonal media (online WOM) and product adoptions in the network context. Second, it provided an empirical basis for the inference of the dynamic development of media effect in the new product diffusion theory. Third, the results will be helpful to end the debate in current theoretical literature on whether there is a complementary or alternative relationship between the two effects. Last but not least, it enriched research on the antecedents and dynamic effects of online WOM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Kowalczyk ◽  
Dariusz Kwaśniewski

AbstractThe paper carries out a comparative analysis of the production technology of energy willow on plantations varied on account of the surface area in the aspect of the impact on the natural environment. The studies covered the cultivation of willow in the southern part of Poland. Technologies from soil preparation for cultivation to first harvesting and transport to a farm were analysed. A type of the applied technological treatments, used machines and transport means as well as the time of their operation, amount of the consumed fuel, pesticides, fertilizers, and water were taken into consideration. The research results were referred to the surface area of willow cultivation (1 ha). To determine the environmental impact SimaPro program version 8.1.0.60 was used. It was concluded, inter alia, that cultivation of willow on smaller plantations constitutes a bigger environmental footprint.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5322
Author(s):  
Gabriel Zsembinszki ◽  
Noelia Llantoy ◽  
Valeria Palomba ◽  
Andrea Frazzica ◽  
Mattia Dallapiccola ◽  
...  

The buildings sector is one of the least sustainable activities in the world, accounting for around 40% of the total global energy demand. With the aim to reduce the environmental impact of this sector, the use of renewable energy sources coupled with energy storage systems in buildings has been investigated in recent years. Innovative solutions for cooling, heating, and domestic hot water in buildings can contribute to the buildings’ decarbonization by achieving a reduction of building electrical consumption needed to keep comfortable conditions. However, the environmental impact of a new system is not only related to its electrical consumption from the grid, but also to the environmental load produced in the manufacturing and disposal stages of system components. This study investigates the environmental impact of an innovative system proposed for residential buildings in Mediterranean climate through a life cycle assessment. The results show that, due to the complexity of the system, the manufacturing and disposal stages have a high environmental impact, which is not compensated by the reduction of the impact during the operational stage. A parametric study was also performed to investigate the effect of the design of the storage system on the overall system impact.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10454
Author(s):  
Katarína Teplická ◽  
Martin Straka

This article summarizes the arguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of using mining machines and their life cycle. The main goal of the article is to investigate the impact of a combination of mobile and stationary mining machines and their optimal distribution in the mining process to increase the efficiency of mining and processing of raw materials. The following methods of research were focused on the use of technical indicators for the valuation efficiency of the mining process: a simulation method was used for the distribution of mining machines, comparison analysis was used for the real and past state of mining machines, and a decision tree was used as managerial instrument for optimal alternatives of mining machines. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that optimal distribution of mining machines and machine parks is very important for mining companies. The benefit of this research for the mining company was the new location of the machines and the combination of stationary production lines and mobile equipment. The optimal layout of the machines reduced the number of conveyor belts and improved the transfer of limestone processing to mobile devices, saving time, which was reflected in transport costs. The results can be useful for other mining companies seeking to create an optimal machine park.


2018 ◽  
Vol 174 ◽  
pp. 01006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Břetislav Teplý ◽  
Tomáš Vymazal ◽  
Pavla Rovnaníková

Efficient sustainability management requires the use of tools which allow material, technological and construction variants to be quantified, measured or compared. These tools can be used as a powerful marketing aid and as support for the transition to “circular economy”. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedures are also used, aside from other approaches. LCA is a method that evaluates the life cycle of a structure from the point of view of its impact on the environment. Consideration is given also to energy and raw material costs, as well as to environmental impact throughout the life cycle - e.g. due to emissions. The paper focuses on the quantification of sustainability connected with the use of various types of concrete with regard to their resistance to degradation. Sustainability coefficients are determined using information regarding service life and "eco-costs". The aim is to propose a suitable methodology which can simplify decision-making in the design and choice of concrete mixes from a wider perspective, i.e. not only with regard to load-bearing capacity or durability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Annan ◽  
Nathaniel Boso ◽  
Dominic Essuman

Following the growing concerns on the inconsistent findings in previous research and drawing on the social exchange and networking theories, this study re-examined the impact of supply chain integration (SCI) on business performance (i.e. value creation and financial performance). The study argues that the impact of SCI on financial performance is through value creation and is depended upon longevity of product life cycle. Using primary data from 79 firms in Ghana, the study finds that value creation is a short-run consequence of SCI while financial performance is a long-run outcome of SCI. Additionally, results show that the financial performance outcome of SCI is experienced more from integrative efforts than from the value creation outcome. Results further indicate that firms whose products stay relatively shorter on the market are more likely to experience lower positive impact of SCI on value creation, and thus firms’ ability to become proactive, monitor, and collect market information on product performance throughout its life cycle is key for coming out with strategies that will enable them maximize product’s life span so as to experience greater benefits that come with pursuing integration with other channel members.


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