Materials & processes

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?

By Louise St. Pierre on October 31, 2009

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.

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.
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.

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?

By Philip White on August 31, 2009

The life cycle assessment (LCA) process is a multi-step calculation that is challenging even for seasoned LCA professionals to recite with precision. Do not feel alone; it is a complex process. Let’s break it down into simpler bites by examining the components of the LCA calculations.

The LCA process follows four steps:
• Process inventory data collection
• Impact characterization
• Normalization
• Weighting

We consider each step, first individually; then combined, in a continuous calculation. Please keep in mind that each of these steps is included in every Okala Impact Factor. Designers and product teams need not take the time to understand them in depth. They are included here to show the rigor behind the single-score assessment process.

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?

By Steve Belletire on July 31, 2009

I’m glad to hear you’re getting such requests. More companies are now seeing the value of ecodesign strategies. Regarding your question being engaged with this site is a good indication you are serious about providing ecodesign options to your clients. And the Okala methodology and other resources available via Sustainable Minds can provide a solid foundation for delivering quality services.

However, what isn’t included is the practical knowledge to transfer this information into part of a consulting service mix. This response offers you and other consultants a simple framework for how to best integrate ecodesign services.

This information is available in detailed form in a new Greenleaf publication, Consulting for Business Sustainability. Chapter 12, A Guide to Sustainable Design Consulting, directly addresses your question and it is my contribution to the book. I’ll provide an outline of the key practice points within the chapter, but I recommend you obtain the publication. http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/consult

1: Do your homework First, a company must have a genuine appetite for developing more environmentally responsible products and/or processes. Be certain your client views this approach as strategic to their business future and not just a short-term marketing detail. Start by acquiring information regarding corporate mission statements on the environment, current supply chain practices, any ‘low hanging fruit’ processes underway – anything that helps you get a fix on how the company perceives and communicates its environmental role.

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?

By Louise St. Pierre on June 30, 2009

Good question – the functional unit is one of the first steps in doing an assessment. It can be very simple, but be aware that that simplicity can be deceiving. By choosing the functional unit carefully, you leave options open for a variety of approaches and solutions – much like good framing for a design problem.

A functional unit should contain three characteristics, or precepts:

It should be a quantity of service that a user readily consumes.
It should include a physically measurable unit.
If the product involves time a part of the service, then a unit of time should be included.

Here are a few examples:

If you were assessing showers, for example, there would be many options for selecting your functional unit. Each would delimit the study in some way:

If you chose to assess Okala millipoints per showerhead itself (without water or energy consumption to heat the water), then designs that affect water consumption are not factored into the assessment.
If you chose Okala millipoints for one 8-minute hot shower, then the quantity of water would be assessed as a variable, depending on the quantity of water per minute that the showerhead releases.
If you chose Okala millipoints per 10 gallons of 110 degree Fahrenheit shower, the quantity of water and energy would be set, not variable.

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?

By Philip White on May 31, 2009

First, let’s take a look at the values that Okala assigns to Polyvinyl chloride polymer (PVC), then I’ll comment on those results.

Material	Unit	Okala mPts.	CO₂ eq. lbs.
Polyvinl chloride (PVC)	lb	50.402	1.962
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)	lb	31.297	2.128
Polycarbonate (PC)	lb	106.55	7.617

PVC is potentially problematic on a number of levels, as is discussed in the Okala design guide.

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.

By Philip White on May 31, 2009

The Okala impact factor for thermoformed plastics includes the extrusion of the polymers into rigid (or semi-rigid) sheets and the subsequent thermoforming of the polymer sheet into the finished plastic part. Likewise, the Okala impact factor for blow molding of plastics includes the creation of the parision (usually through injection molding) and the subsequent blow molding of the parison into the finished plastic part. The preliminary steps required in these polymer forming processes is included in the overall Okala impact factor.

Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Materials & processes, Packaging, Products, Software & systems , Standards & regulations , Strategies, Supply chain

Are biologically-derived materials always best? i.e., are materials derived from plant sources more environmentally friendly than materials derived from (fossil fuel) petroleum?

By Philip White on February 28, 2009

Designers (in the various design professions) should not assume this generalization about biomaterials to be true. In many cases, plant-derived materials are more renewable and can be more ecologically responsible than petroleum-derived materials. In many other cases, however, plant-derived materials can be more resource intensive and/or more ecologically damaging than their petroleum-derived counterparts.

Let’s look at grocery bags as an example. We’ve compared six grocery bag alternatives, listed below. The bag materials are listed with a manufacturing method, the number of time it's used, the approximate weight of bags needed to carry 20 lbs of groceries, and the assumed waste distribution at the end of the life of the bag. The functional unit is Okala impacts (in millipoints) per delivery of one cycle of 20 lbs of groceries.

Certifications & labeling, Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Marketing, Materials & processes, Packaging, Products, Strategies, Supply chain, Sustainability paradox, Teamwork

I’m responsible for new product development in a small company in the housewares product industry. We design our products, but all are manufactured in Asia. We’re getting pressure from retailer partners to reduce packaging content and all potentially hazardous substances. We’re also considering developing new products that we can position as having environmental benefits. Can the Okala methodology help us integrate these various issues?

By Steve Belletire on September 30, 2008

The short answer is, “yes.” Here’s the longer version:

This question addresses supply chain and distribution issues impacting most companies in the US and around the world. As the Pacific Rim and China have come to dominate many sectors for manufactured goods, these countries have struggled to keep up with external and internal agency and material safety standards.

Recent headlines about pet food and toothpaste reveal only the tip of this iceberg. And we only need to look to Wal-Mart to understand the pressure their suppliers are under to comply with their packaging scorecard program, and now their electronic scorecard initiative.

Wal-Mart Packaging Scorecard Metrics
GHG/CO2 per ton of production	15%
Material value	15%
Product/package ratio	15%
Cube utilization	15%
Transportation	10%
Recycled content	10%
Recovery value	10%
Renewable energy	5%
Innovation	5%

Wal-mart and other major retailers are attempting to polish their ‘green credentials’ in an effort to offer their customers more environmentally responsible choices. So we’ll look at how Okala can help your company connect these 21^stcentury business dots.

Designers , Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Materials & processes, Packaging, Products, Strategies, Supply chain, Teamwork

Which system is better for measuring a product's environmental performance – ‘process flows’ or ‘environmental impacts’?

By Philip White on September 30, 2008

When modeling the life cycle environmental performance of products and services, some people account for process flows – energy use, water use and solid waste production. Others account for environmental impacts – such as global warming potential, human toxicity and ecotoxicity, water pollution, ozone layer depletion, and smog production. Differences between these measurable groups may seem subtle, but they have significant implications for our ability to protect natural ecology and human health.

Process flows
Non-scientists quickly comprehend the idea of process flows. Embodied energy, water use and solid waste production are relatively self-explanatory concepts. As a rough and simple metric – they indicate the quantity of resources associated with the production of a material or process, and they echo the common idea that material, energy and waste flows are proportional to environmental impacts. This generalization can, however, lead to erroneous conclusions. A closer look reveals some of the paradoxes inherent in measuring process flows in the pursuit of making ‘greener’ products.

Life cycle assessment, Manufacturing , Materials & processes, Standards & regulations , Strategies, Sustainability paradox

I am part of an internal design team with product form and feature responsibilities. I would like to introduce life cycle assessment (LCA) thinking and methods into our design process. Which team members should I include and how do we begin?

By Steve Belletire on September 30, 2008

This important question establishes the basic framework for any design team seeking to integrate LCA methods. Following are some basic steps that I’ve seen work effectively.

Step 1: Take the temperature of your organization
Conduct some due diligence to determine what degree of appetite, if any, your company (or clients) may have for this approach. Without some basic client or management support, this type of effort could lead to awkward encounters if you try to ‘push’ ecodesign up the management structure. At the same time, don’t be afraid to become an ‘ecodesign champion’ if you believe ecodesign has the potential to add business value.

Step 2: Get up to speed on Okala
Depending on your knowledge to date, studying the Okala LCA methodology and the impact factor category data will help you sound – and be – more knowledgeable. For this you’ll need the Okala Guide, which is currently available through the IDSA.

Consider a number of ways an Okala LCA might be used in your group’s design process to help establish a competitive advantage. Options might range from product material reduction to a product take-back program. You may want to have this discussion with another team member who shares your views on the importance of LCA thinking.

Step 3: Do some market homework
Conduct some market category and/or competitive research. You may be able to locate some case studies or recent examples of product launches with an ecodesign emphasis or position. Examples: In the housewares industry, Illinois-based Design Ideas recently launched a new line of bath organizational accessories named EcoGen™ that incorporate PHBV; a bio-degradable, injection moldable resin. While relatively new, they plan to expand this sub-brand to other home product categories. And of course the Toyota Prius technology platform has been expanded to other models. This ecodesign marketing example demonstrates how to leverage an environmentally friendly technology through the extension of the brand qualifier Hybrid Synergy Drive™.

Designers , Manufacturing , Marketing, Materials & processes, Products, Strategies, Teamwork