Abstract
Today, in the context of product innovation, the environmental dimension takes a new dimension and cannot be separated from other product requirements which make it competitive. Tools are available but unfortunately proficiency levels required for their use are at the expert’s level. Those tools must also be able to clearly identify their benefits, strengths and weaknesses for a given multi-criteria environmental evaluation. In the present work we have adopted an approach using a qualitative evaluation matrix including parameters related to the ease of use of the product related to the organizational preparation for the appropriation of an eco-design approach, in addition to the standard factors of eco-efficiency. In order to help the designer to make a decision, an adapted TRIZ method is proposed (Teoria Rechenia Izobretatelskikh Zadatch or theory of inventive problem solving). The applicability of this method is justified by the many contradictions in the choices in a study of the life cycle and can help designers and companies to choose an approach to attain a satisfying level of eco-design for the resources invested in it. An application, based on inventive principles, will be adapted and completed. This matrix can help the designer to reduce the scope of his creative investigations. The results of our methodological approach have been tested on cases of creative projects and a certain number of recently patented projects.
Highlights
Many eco-design tools are available in the literature
Called LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), this assessment tool takes into account the evolution of the product, from the raw materials that were used in its manufacture, its use and end of life characterized by an important step of destruction and recycling, as well as all the intermediate steps, which all generate negative impacts on the environment [1]
Among the assessment tools we chose to work with are a qualitative matrix with a comprehensive and multi-criteria analysis. This is justified by the ease of ownership since the user does not require data based on a simple-to-use matrix, difficult acquisition and whose quality is often a source of uncertainty about the final outcome when it comes to using a quantitative tool, including no less important parameters related to factors of ease of product and of organizational preparation for the appropriation of the eco-design approach, in addition to the usual eco-efficiency factors
Summary
Many eco-design tools are available in the literature. Each search is specific and is based on the analysis of the product life cycle where the objective is to consider multiple criteria and assess their impacts on human health and environment. Called LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), this assessment tool takes into account the evolution of the product, from the raw materials that were used in its manufacture, its use and end of life characterized by an important step of destruction and recycling, as well as all the intermediate steps (transport, packaging, storage etc.), which all generate negative impacts on the environment [1]. Some studies on life cycle assessment focus on the stage having the most impact, while others accentuate the entire product life cycle characterized by an important step of destruction and recycling. It is recognized that the latter is tedious, time-consuming, expensive and difficult to carry out on the following grounds [2]: Studying a design process for an existing product in an attempt to improve or develop a new one requires that each step will be considered in order to integrate environmental parameters which will allow a focus on the most sensible approach to improve its environmental qualities.
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