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Scientific Article details

Title Design Guidelines Developed from Environmental Assessments: A Design Tool for Resource-Efficient Products
ID_Doc 6009
Authors Willskytt, S; Brambila-Macias, SA
Title Design Guidelines Developed from Environmental Assessments: A Design Tool for Resource-Efficient Products
Year 2020
Published Sustainability, 12, 12
DOI 10.3390/su12124953
Abstract The circular economy provides a potential solution to the take-make-dispose model of resource use that currently characterizes the economy. Guidelines for the circular economy often consist of prioritized lists of measures to achieve resource efficiency. However, for the purpose of designing products, such general prioritizations of measures are less useful. Instead, the tool developed in this study is based on learnings from numerous life cycle assessments and provides design recommendations for the improved resource efficiency of products based on product characteristics. The tool includes measures over the whole lifecycle of different products that lead to improved resource efficiency. The tool also demonstrates how different product types, such as different varieties of durable and consumable products, can become more resource-efficient and when trade-offs occur over the lifecycle of a product. The tool was tested in a design case where its usefulness and usability were evaluated using a comparative life cycle assessment and a questionnaire. The evaluation shows the tool is informative and provides design suggestions that lead to improved resource efficiency. The tool is considered usable and could be implemented in design practice.
Author Keywords design guidelines; circular economy; resource efficiency; durable products; consumable products; design tool; life cycle assessment
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000550304900001
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Studies
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/12/4953/pdf
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