The term Design for the Environment refers to a series of techniques, principles, and methodologies used particularly in engineering, economics, technology, business, environment, and policy disciplines to incorporate environmental considerations into the design, process, and manufacturing of products and services.
Quite simply, Design for the Environment (DfE) attempts to reduce the impact of product design upon the environment of a product or service. It takes into account the whole life cycle — going beyond just the use of recycled materials or proper packaging or disposal.
Effective DfE practices, maintain or improve product quality and cost, while reducing environmental impacts.
3. Packaging + Distribution
Use
End of life, Design For Disassembly, and Design for Recycling
DfE expands the traditional manufacturer’s focus on the production and distribution of its products to a closed-loop life cycle, optimizes the relationship and interaction of the economic system and the environmental system, and strives to produce sustainable development.
The driving force behind DfE includes customers, international agencies, and governmental agencies, who are all stakeholders in environmental well-being.
There are many ways to minimize a product’s environmental impacts. Clearly, however, the greatest opportunity occurs during the product design phases.
Therefore, organizations that develop new products need to consider many factors related to the environmental impact of their products, including government regulations, consumer preferences, and corporate environmental objectives.
Although this requires more effort than treating emissions and hazardous waste, it not only protects the environment but also reduces life-cycle costs by decreasing energy use, reducing raw material requirements, and avoiding pollution control.
Design for Environment (DfE) tools, methods, and strategies have therefore become an important set of activities for product development organizations.
