"As an LCA professional, I can provide more guidance throughout the design process. Because it helps my clients learn about environmental performance while they're using it, it enables them to ask both themselves and me better questions. "
Consulting
We can help you operationalize greener product design in your organization It starts with bringing life cycle thinking and a whole product systems approach to the beginning of the design process.
The result is innovative, greener products, cost savings by reducing re-engineering and greater competitive advantage!
Using Sustainable Minds in the design process. We will work with you and your organization in any phase and service/activity.
Contact us today We'll take the time to learn more about you, your company and how we can help address your sustainable design challenges. Call 617 401-2269, or contact us.
| PHASE | WHAT Service or activity? |
HOW With what data? |
WHY To learn/assess what? |
WHO is involved? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 0 Learning & definitionDevelop maps for design development, identify new market opportunities > Set directions & verify brief |
Impact assessment for a reference product |
Reference product data from:
|
Identify opportunities for impact reduction Identify opportunities for innovation in product category |
|
| Impact assessment for a hypothetical product | Data chosen from reasonable estimates | Understand impacts of early stage design directions | ||
Phase 1 ConceptDevelop concept based on opportunities and directions from Phase 1 > Select concept and verify feasibility. |
Impact evaluation and reduction |
Reference product data from:
|
Identify opportunities for impact reduction Identify opportunities for innovation in product category |
|
| Comparative life cycle assessment |
Reference product SM LCA compared with various design directions |
Compare impacts associated with different design directions |
||
| Explore ecodesign strategies |
Copy reference product SM LCA and modify with various ecostrategy opportunities |
Understand impacts and possible improvements associated with durability, disassembly, recyclability, remanufacture Design for energy efficiency Address end-of-life issues Introduce extended producer responsibility System optimization |
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| Product life cycle strategy and planning; SM LCA paired with stakeholder research |
SM LCA paired with stakeholder research |
Identify opportunities that resonate with stakeholder goals, values, or motivators |
||
| Alternative materials investigation |
Copy reference product SM LCA and modify with various material options |
Understand implications of different material choices |
||
Phase 2 Development & refinementRefine, develop, and prototype prime concept > Approve Design |
Impact evaluation and reduction |
Input data from primary design direction to create SM LCA |
Identify ‘hot spots’ as areas for additional impact reduction |
|
| Product life cycle strategy and planning | SM LCA paired with stakeholder research | Identify opportunities that resonate with stakeholder goals or motivators | ||
| Alternative materials investigation | Copy primary design SM LCA and modify with various material options | Understand implications of different material choices | ||
| Comparative life cycle assessment | Reference product compared SM LCA with various design directions | Compare impacts associated with different design directions | ||
| Regulatory compliance | SM LCA with data from primary design direction | Understand whether product might meet regulatory or company-driven policy directives | ||
Phase 3 Pre-productionRefine the developed concept for production > Release production information |
Impact evaluation and reduction |
Actual part data and product life cycle data |
Evaluate impacts from designed parts |
|
| Alternative materials investigation | Actual part data and product life cycle data | Understand implications of different material choices | ||
| Comparative life cycle assessment | Actual part data and product life cycle data | Compare impacts of primary design direction to those associated with different design directions | ||
Phase 4 Production & RolloutConfirm manufacturability and support product launch |
Impact evaluation and reduction | Actual part data and product life cycle data |
Conduct full LCA* on manufactured product, compare SM results from design concept to actual. Update reference product. |
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