The authors of Okala provide you with insights and practical solutions to the latest sustainability issues facing product development organizations and individuals today.

I understand that a Sustainable Minds LCA is intended to help designers make decisions, not make environmental claims. How do I clarify that point for clients and managers?

With any developing science, it is extremely important to take care during the early years to build a foundation of credibility. A single-score LCA is just like any other tool in that it can be used well or poorly. Here are a few best-practice suggestions for how to use, discuss and present a single-figure (or scoping) LCA.

  1. In presentations, discussions, and slides, always emphasize terminology that clarifies that this is a single figure LCA, not a multi-score LCA. For instance, the term “scoping LCA,” accurately describes what this LCA is intended to do, and implies some limitations.

  2. You can use graphs judiciously. While bar graphs and charts are the best possible way to make an impact with your information, you should try to avoid any potential exaggeration. If your design only improves the environmental bottom line by a small amount, so be it. You can resist the temptation to use your presentation skills to make it look more dramatic.

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Categories: Certifications & labeling, Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Marketing, Materials & processes, Packaging, Products, Standards & regulations , Strategies, Supply chain, Sustainable Europe , Teamwork
I find the calculation process behind LCA to be confusing. Can someone explain it in simple calculation steps for a commonly-understood material?
Categories: Certifications & labeling, Designers , Life cycle assessment, Materials & processes, Products, Software & systems , Standards & regulations , Strategies, Sustainable Europe
As an independent product design consultant I've been getting more requests from clients for sustainable design solutions. I can see how Okala and SM can help me navigate these waters, but how do I integrate this approach into my business practice?
Categories: Certifications & labeling, Designers , Electronics, Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Marketing, Materials & processes, Packaging, Product service systems, Products, Software & systems , Standards & regulations , Strategies, Supply chain, Sustainability paradox, Sustainable Europe , Teamwork
Can you give me some guidelines for determining the functional unit when doing an Okala assessment?
Categories: Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Materials & processes, Product service systems, Products, Strategies
PVC is a plastic everyone is trying to replace now due to toxicity of chlorine in the product. We were surprised to see the Okala mPts values were so low. Just wondering if you have any feedback on this?
Categories: Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Materials & processes, Packaging, Products, Software & systems , Standards & regulations , Strategies, Supply chain
I am trying to do a life cycle assessment (using Okala) of a thermoformed product. Since thermoformed parts are extruded into sheet before they are thermoformed, should I include Extrusion in my analysis, or is that factored in to the Thermoforming score? Similar questions arise with the injection-molded parison used in blow-molding, etc.
Categories: Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Materials & processes, Packaging, Products, Software & systems , Standards & regulations , Strategies, Supply chain
The current fiscal crisis has spawned recent articles about the de-globalization of the world economy and the need to create new mass consumption business models. How might this affect sustainable design?
Categories: Certifications & labeling, Designers , Electronics, Marketing, Packaging, Products, Standards & regulations , Strategies, Sustainable Europe
Where can I go to learn about sustainable design?
Categories: Designers , Strategies, Teamwork
Are biologically-derived materials always best? i.e., are materials derived from plant sources more environmentally friendly than materials are derived from (fossil fuel) petroleum?
Categories: Certifications & labeling, Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Marketing, Materials & processes, Packaging, Products, Strategies, Supply chain, Sustainability paradox, Teamwork
As our business contracts, it is now harder to find a receptive ear for our yet-to-be- implemented green product development initiatives. Can you offer some suggestions for how I should engage my management team during these tough times so we can still keep our sustainable product development plans on track?
Categories: Designers , Electronics, Life cycle assessment, Marketing, Products, Strategies
I am an industrial design student and I am learning about the problems with consumerism and the environment. It makes me wonder if I am in the wrong profession. Can you give me some advice?
Categories: Designers , Packaging, Products, Strategies, Supply chain, Teamwork
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