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This paper presents a critical review of a representative pool of 169 scientific papers and 175 patents, from the last twenty years, proposing new eco-assessment software, in order to draw an overview about their main features and functionalities. Each document was analysed in relation to its source (academia or industry), the application field of the assessed product, the type of use, the application phase, the data entry modality, the assessed product life cycle phases and items, the exploited methods and tools for the eco-assessment, the implemented eco-improvement strategies. Then, based on these collected data, all the documents were classified on multiple levels in accordance with the rigorous ontology of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. While the detailed analysis of the results allowed us to identify their distributions at to date and their time trends. The obtained results highlighted the trend towards the increase in the specificity of the software with respect to the application field, the focus on the quantification of the environmental impacts deriving from the use of the product and the proposed eco-improvement strategies mainly pointing in this direction. The provided outcomes may be used by researchers and professionals for classifying the many available software and identifying the most suitable ones in relation to their specific exigences. • Literature survey of 169 papers and 175 patents about eco-assessment software. • Double investigation perspective about academic and industrial developments. • Tendency to increase the specificity of software according to the application field. • Main and increasing focus on measuring the environmental impacts of product use. • Most eco-improvement strategies are aimed at reducing product's energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability and circular economy cover the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Due to global trends (eg. increasing e‐waste and material consumption) and global sustainability goals also electronics industry has to consider how to increase sustainability in its products, operations and service models. VTT has demonstrated sustainable electronic solutions by developing bio‐based and renewable material processing, by utilizing high‐speed printing and hybrid integration manufacturing processes, and by evaluating environmental impact of electronic systems and devices. This paper covers the different aspects of sustainability and highlights solutions demonstrated at VTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability in power electronics is a recent research topic. It takes place among current actions to grasp design choices that enable eco-design and circular economy in the domain. This paper shows the results and analysis of a literature review at the intersection of power electronics and sustainability without considering the reliability study of the power electronics systems. The first part explains the scope of the study. The second part shows a bibliometric analysis of the collected publications that underlines a pioneering position at the European level. The third part details the state-of-the-art and its analysis over four investigation topics which are: tools and methods, indicators, circularity and materials. This paper and the work behind are the results of collaboration at the French national level, as part of the workgroup CEPPS (Convertisseurs Electronique de Puissance Plus Soutenables—More Sustainable Power Electronics Converters) supported by the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique—French National Centre for Scientific Research) research group SEEDS (Systèmes d'énergie électrique dans leurs dimensions sociétales—Societal dimensions of electrical energy systems). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Eco-friendly e-paper derived entirely from recycled newspaper. • e-paper made conductive with polyaniline (PANi) functionalization. • Devices showcase impressive energy production capabilities on touch interactive. • e-paper explored as a flexible, wide-range pressure sensor with high sensitivity. • Tech integration allows IoT-ready sensors with wireless modules. This study focuses on developing multifunctional electronic paper (e-paper) using a low-cost recycling method to minimize the usage of critical raw materials. The e-paper is designed for various smart applications, such as mechano-responsive energy harvesters and pressure sensors. The emphasis is on adopting an eco-friendly approach by utilizing cellulose extracted from used newspapers, which would otherwise have been discarded. The formulated e-paper contains 100 % recycled cellulose fibers, unlike the more commonly used recycled paper, which contains around 70 % of recycled cellulose and 30 % of new pulp. The recycled paper (RP) was functionalized using polyaniline (PANi), resulting in a conductive e-paper, capable of generating electric current through a charge transfer mechanism at the PANi-Cellulose/electrode interface layer. The resulting devices demonstrate satisfactory energy production, with output voltage ranging from 16.8 to 20.25 V, output current ranging from 0.9 µA to 1.75 µA, and power density ranging from 0.18 to 0.35 Wm−2. The mechanical impulses generated by the device can successfully light up several LEDs in series. Additionally, the e-paper was investigated as a flexible, paper-based pressure sensor. The fabricated device exhibited excellent sensitivity, fast response time, and a wide detection range from 25 Pa to 12.25 kPa. The sensitivity of the pressure sensors achieved 4.21 kPa−1 within a low range of 0–1 kPa and approximately 0.008 kPa-1for a broader pressure range (2 – 12.25 kPa). Additionally, the durability of the pressure sensing devices has undergone rigorous testing, surpassing 2000 cyclic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Stackelberg game theory, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of four subsidy schemes on the product eco-design and recycling rate in a manufacturing–recycling system that comprises a government, a manufacturer and a recycler. The principal results are: 1) For the cost-based subsidies, a fixed-cost subsidy to recyclers always yields higher recycling rate and social welfare. For the performance-based subsidies, the effects are closely related to market demand and the fixed cost coefficients of eco-design and recycling. Governments should select subsidy schemes according to the specific goals and market conditions. 2) Four subsidy schemes are the effective forces to promote product eco-design and recycling. Higher subsidy intensity brings better supply chain profits and better environment performance, but it does not always bring better social welfare. 3) Eco-design can increase waste recycling rates effectively, and recycling rates are more sensitive to eco-design when the government subsidizes the fixed costs of recyclers. [Display omitted] • Two cost-based subsidies and two performance-based subsidies are considered. • Government subsidy is useful to promote product eco-design and recycling. • For cost-based subsidy, government can prioritize recycler fixed cost subsidy. • For performance-based subsidy, government can adjust scheme with varied conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the emerging circular economy trends in universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The circular economy is a model that aims to reduce waste and maximize the use of resources, promoting sustainable development. The study analyses UAE universities' various initiatives to adopt circular economy practices, including using renewable energy, sustainable building design, and waste reduction strategies. The paper also discusses the challenges and opportunities for implementing circular economy practices in universities in the UAE and highlights examples of circular economy initiatives in various universities. The paper concludes by providing recommendations for universities in the UAE to promote sustainable practices further and contribute to the circular economy movement. The findings of this study provide insights into the emerging circular economy trends in universities in the UAE and offer directions for future research in this area. The ADKAR change management can be adapted to inspire the CE initiatives of the UAE Education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the authors focused on determining the increase in consumers' preferences for sustainable products, including that of OEMs, who are responsible for the drop in new product sales. We also assessed the effects of remanufacturing by outsourcing to third-party remanufacturers. However, the outsourcing of remanufacturing not only enables the producer to offer a remanufactured product at the same time as manufacturing new units; it also provides OEMs with the flexibility required to peruse eco-design in manufacturing and/or remanufacturing. For instance, Gree and Midea have heavily invested in eco-design to reduce energy costs in manufacturing, while Xerox has adopted a modular design approach to divert materials away from landfills and towards remanufacturing. Following observations of real-world applications, the authors developed two theoretical models in which remanufacturing can be outsourced to an independent remanufacturer, endowing the OEM with the flexibility required to enact eco-design in manufacturing or remanufacturing. This analysis reveals that OEMs tend to put more effort into eco-design in manufacturing than in remanufacturing. Furthermore, such efforts in the name of eco-design may be beneficial for both the OEM and the third-party remanufacturer. As such, this paper encourages governments to provide more incentives that will encourage OEMs to invest in eco-design in manufacturing and establish a possible "win–win" scenario in terms of both environmental and economic performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper addresses the escalating global issue of electronic waste (e-waste), a consequence of the burgeoning demand for electronic products coupled with their transient lifespan. The rapid accumulation of e-waste is a significant concern, especially in the context of climate change, necessitating a detailed analysis of current management strategies and the development of sustainable management practices. The intricate relationship between e-waste and climate change is emphasized, illustrating how improper disposal and recycling practices substantially contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. A meticulous analysis is conducted to critique the prevailing e-waste management strategies, identifying their shortcomings and the urgent need for enhancement and globalization of these protocols. The paper argues for a fortified, universal approach to e-waste management to address the deficiencies in current methodologies. A set of strategic, sustainable solutions for e-waste management is proposed, encompassing comprehensive regulatory frameworks, advanced recycling technologies, the incorporation of eco-design principles, and the enhancement of consumer awareness. These solutions pivot around the circular economy concept, viewing waste as a valuable resource rather than a disposal predicament, thereby promoting sustainability. Short conclusion: The paper concludes that a consolidated, global approach to e-waste management is imperative for addressing the proliferation of discarded electronics and is pivotal in the wider context of mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable development. It underscores the transformative potential of sustainable e-waste management, transforming a formidable challenge into an opportunity for environmental conservation, economic growth, and societal progress, emphasizing the importance of viewing e-waste management as a vehicle for sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction sector has a high environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of buildings. One way to reduce the impact is to use building materials with the lowest possible environmental impact - such as wood. The use of wood-based building materials can improve the overall environmental balance of buildings. Compared to other materials, wood probably has the best environmental performance. These findings are particularly significant in the context of the environmental and legislative situation in Europe and the Czech Republic and may be one of the reasons for the increasing number of new wood-based buildings. The main reason for the research is to highlight the potential of wood as an ecological renewable material with multiple applications in all sectors of the national economy, especially in the construction industry. This paper aims to deepen the knowledge of the environmental specifications of building materials, especially wood, highlight its benefits and verify that building with natural and eco-friendly materials is less costly with lower environmental impacts. To illustrate the environmental impact of the construction industry, a case study comparing house variants was conducted to find the most suitable combinations of materials in terms of economic, environmental, and social aspects. It was found that from a sustainable development perspective, building with green materials generally means lower environmental impacts measured e.g. by global warming potential and embodied energy. This is particularly evident in the case of wood, which is not only a renewable material with advantageous thermo-technical and construction properties despite its low weight, but also stores carbon as it grows. The findings show that wood in the structure can reduce the cumulative environmental impact of the whole structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experience and evaluation research on sustainable products' design is increasingly supported by eye-tracking tools. In particular, many studies have investigated the effect of gazing at or fixating on Areas of Interest on products' evaluations, and in a number of cases, they have inferred the critical graphical elements leading to the preference of sustainable products. This paper is motivated by the lack of generalizability of the results of these studies, which have predominantly targeted specific products and Areas of Interest. In addition, it has also been overlooked that the observation of some Areas of Interest, despite not specifically targeting sustainable aspects, can lead consumers to prefer or appreciate sustainable products in any case. Furthermore, it has to be noted that sustainable products can be recognized based on their design (shape, material, lack of waste generated) and/or, more diffusedly, information clearly delivered on packaging and in advertising. With reference to the latter, this paper collected and classified Areas of Interest dealt with in past studies, markedly in eco-design and green consumption, and characterized by their potential generalizability. Specifically, the identified classes of Areas of Interest are not peculiar to specific products or economic sectors. These classes were further distinguished into "Content", i.e., the quality aspect they intend to highlight, and "Form", i.e., the graphical element used as a form of communication. This framework of Areas of Interest is the major contribution of the paper. Such a framework is needed to study regularities across multiple product categories in terms of how the observation of Areas of Interest leads to product appreciation and value perception. In addition, the potential significant differences between sustainable and commonplace products can be better investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to conduct a comparative life cycle environmental analysis of alternative versions of a product that was manufactured with the use of additive technologies. The aim of the paper was to compare the environmental assessment of an additive-manufactured product using two approaches: a traditional one, based on the use of SimaPro software, and the authors’ own concept of a newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) based approach. The structure of the product was identical and the research experiments consisted in changing the materials used in additive manufacturing (from polylactic acid (PLA) to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)). The effects of these changes on the environmental factors were observed and a direct comparison of the effects in the different factors was made. SimaPro software with implemented databases was used for the analysis. Missing information on the environmental impact of additive manufacturing of PLA and ABS parts was taken from the literature for the purpose of the study. The novelty of the work lies in the results of a developing concurrent approach based on AI. The results showed that the artificial intelligence approach can be an effective way to analyze life cycle assessment (LCA) even in such complex cases as a 3D printed medical exoskeleton. This approach, which is becoming increasingly useful as the complexity of manufactured products increases, will be developed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street furniture are installed in different locations of a city, are daily used by a large public, and have the closest contact and most dynamic interaction with people and the environment. Hence, they have a great responsibility to benefit the society and urban development. In this paper, we focus on street furniture for adopting the concept of sustainability through the local cities. This paper presents an experiment which is conducted at Art University of Isfahan (AUI) in order to explore the promises and challenges of designing for deep sustainability within different contexts of the city (Isfahan). The main objective of the experiment is to develop design interventions which affect and guide the community toward sustainability. Specifically students are asked to design street furniture or define an urban intervention which is not neutral but improves sustainability within the context. Finally, the proposed design interventions are evaluated based on their level of success for establishing sustainability. Final results indicate that although a common approach was applied for all the projects in in this experiment, the developed design interventions are not equally contributed to sustainability. While some of the projects only focused on eco-design strategies, some projects succeeded to provide a higher level of sustainability within their context and developed more influential and longer-term sustainable design interventions. It is achieved by the projects that conducted behavioral, social and contextual analysis in order to enhance environmental responsible behavior among the public (e.g. raise public awareness of sustainability, sensate or educate people, or support sustainable behavior). This paper is the extended version of the paper that has been published in the proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2018 (Allameh and Heidari, 2018). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide textile sector is one of the most polluting and consuming natural resource value chains. In recent years, trends have demonstrated a linear model driven by fast fashion, increasing the sustainability problems of this sector. The European market and industry are changing the paradigm and promoting some actions towards a sustainable value chain. This paper applies a systematic approach to reviewing scientific research, where Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is implemented as a tool to understand the impacts considering a holistic life cycle framework, from raw materials to the end-of-life of textile products. The methodology and criteria applied resulted in 73 articles used for qualitative analysis, of which 39 met the criteria for quantitative analysis. The quantitative results reported in the studies were organized and presented by phase of the garment production life cycle (production of fiber, yarn, fabric, manufacturing, and recovery/end of life). From a cradle-to-gate perspective, wool yarn production, by worsted processing, was the material with the highest values (95.70 kg CO2 eq/kg) for climate change/global warming potential, closely followed by silk fabric (80.90 kg CO2 eq/kg). Extending to a cradle-to-grave boundary, polyester had the highest values for the previously mentioned category, reaching a potential release of 40.28 kg CO2 eq per kilogram of polyester textile. When data was available, the user phase predominantly contributed to climate change/global warming potential. Additionally, there were significant differences in maximum and minimum values for some of the materials, which were related to methodological considerations, database inventory, and frequency of use and care considered by the different authors. The study also addresses the considerations and limitations of diverse LCA impact assessment tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“Ecology is the science of the struggle for existence,” says Greg Cooper in his paper titled “The Science of the Struggle for Existence.” Indeed, the 21st century will be the century of the “science of the struggle for existence.” The paper presents some exhortations to engineers, who must find solutions “before nature dies.” Eco–friendly product design is one of the solutions to this global problem. Several basic concepts of eco–design, several eco–design strategies, traditional design strategies versus eco– design, are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising concerns about environmental harm and pollution create a setting for the search for better materials to produce more sustainable products. Plastic plays a crucial role in modern life and most of the commonly used are of fossil origin. Polylactic Acid (PLA) has been appointed as a more sustainable alternative, due to its origins in biodegradable raw materials. This paper aims to review scientific research, where Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is performed on this material, in order to further understand the environmental impacts and to assess whether it is a more viable option when compared to the most commonly used plastics. A systematic literature review of 81 LCA studies focused on the LCA of PLA products was conducted. An assessment of key aspects, including the system boundaries, raw materials origin, and quantitative analysis of five environmental impact categories was performed. In this comparative analysis, in addition to presenting the results for PLA products, they are also compared with other fossil-based plastics. This leads to the conclusion that PLA has higher environmental impacts on Marine Eutrophication, Freshwater Eutrophication, and Human Toxicity, which are mainly related to the agricultural phase of growing the raw materials for PLA production. For Climate Change, Polystyrene (PS) presents the higher Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, and for the Ozone Layer Depletion category, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) presents the higher impact. PLA is a solution to replace fossil plastics. However, the use of alternative biomass sources without competition with the feed and food sector could be a key option for biobased materials production, with lower environmental and socioeconomic impacts. This will be a pathway to reduce environmental impacts in categories such as climate change, marine eutrophication, and freshwater eutrophication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It can be hard for enterprises to make the first move towards circular business models; technologies, information and design need to be linked and dynamic. The present paper proposes a methodology that guides enterprises in integrating environmental and economic aspects during the optimization of products' end-of-life. It overcomes the current literature limits because it focuses on multiple lifecycle stages and is not limited to end-of-life strategies; secondly, it encompasses both the economic and environmental sustainability perspectives. It expects its implementation to be supported by commercial solutions that enable the quantification of environmental and economic indices, such as degradation index, target price and target cost. The methodology was applied to an industrial case study (an electrospindle) enabling its validation and a deep reflection on the potential consequences of the analyzed scenario throughout the value chain and business departments. The results of the case study show that not all the scenarios are convenient; only the cases that expect components of the pneumatic cylinder group and shaft kit to be re-manufactured are environmentally and economically convenient. The first scenario, which is about disassembling the product to optimize the recycling flow, is currently not feasible from the economic perspective; however, the acquisition of a higher number of used electrospindles could increase its economic convenience, as the disassembly phase may be optimized. De-manufacturing strategies could extend the useful lifecycle of products and introduce additional revenue streams, with intangible effects: information about the use phase, marketing leverage, end-of-life treatment, policies forecasting and strengthened customer relationships. However, it may bring high risks as well, such as cannibalization and investments. For a more aware prioritization of to-be scenarios, future works may exploit more in detail the disassembly time quantification; additionally, the analysis of the main failure modes and events may stand aside from the economic and environmental as-is analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile health (mHealth) innovations are considered by governments as game changers toward more sustainable health systems. The existing literature focuses on the clinical aspects of mHealth but lacks an integrated framework on its sustainability. The foundational idea for this paper is to include disciplinary complementarities into a multi-dimensional vision to evaluate the non-clinical aspects of mHealth innovations. We performed a targeted literature review to find how the sustainability of mHealth innovations was appraised in each discipline. We found that each discipline considers a different outcome of interest and adopts different time horizons and perspectives for the evaluation. This article reflects on how the sustainability of mHealth innovation can be assessed at both the level of the device itself as well as the level of the health system. We identify some of the challenges ahead of researchers working on mobile health innovations in contributing to shaping a more sustainable health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to present the environmental effects of changes in material composition in selected internal combustion engines used in passenger cars using LCA analysis. The levels of energy consumption and emissions of pollutants related to material inputs occurring at the stage of engine production have been determined. The simplified LCA model presented in the paper shows the energy consumption and total CO2 and SO2 emissions on the basis of the mass of materials from which the engine is made. The research results presented in the paper give a picture of a modern passenger car engine on the basis of wear and the degree of recovery of materials used for its construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaboration in green product innovation (GPI) is becoming increasingly important, and research on such innovation has grown in recent years. This study reviews literature on external collaborations in GPI to investigate drivers, inter-organizational factors and intra-organizational factors for such collaborations. The review includes a total of 67 papers. Survey studies and case studies are the methodologies applied most in the reviewed papers. The most common collaborators are suppliers and customers. Drivers include economic factors, regulations, customer demand, competitiveness and firm performance. Numerous inter-organizational collaboration factors are presented and summarized in terms of partner selection, relationship management, knowledge access and agreements. Intra-organizational factors mainly concern cross-functional collaboration, capabilities and internal practices. Implications for policy and practitioners are presented. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, circular economy (CE) is receiving increasing attention worldwide and is intended to integrate economic activity and environmental wellbeing in a sustainable way. The CE mainly focuses on both the front (eco-design, ECO) and back ends (reverse activities, RA) of operations and production at the firm level. However, what is missing in the literature are the synergistic effects between the two practices on corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Drawing on systems theory, this paper used panel data of Chinese manufacturing firms over the period from 2013 to 2015 that was collected from Chinese Research Data Services Platform (CNRDS) and Rankins CSR Ratings (RKS) databases and performed a series of regression tests to see whether complementarity exists between them and their effects on CSR performance. The results show significant complementarity between ECO and RA in improving CSR performance. Furthermore, building on systems theory, three kinds of enablers are identified as essential for promoting the interaction of subsystems and the complementarity of ECO and RA, including CSR vision as an internal enabler within the system, an environmental management system as a system regulation, and supply chain cooperation as an external enabler from the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Eco-design of a highly efficient Cr(VI) adsorbent with bimodal micro-/mesoporous structure. • Green synthesis approach utilizing Sorghum waste as a sustainable silica source for the adsorbent. • A one-pot synthesis method led to homogeneously distributed adsorption sites on the MI-Cl-FDU-12. • MI-Cl-FDU-12 demonstrated a high adsorption capacity of 416.9 mg g-1 at 313 K for Cr(VI) • MI-Cl-FDU-12 adsorbent revealed excellent regeneration performance by six consecutive cycles. This paper presents an eco-design approach to the synthesis of a highly efficient Cr(VI) adsorbent, utilizing a positively charged surface mesoporous FDU-12 material (designated as MI-Cl-FDU-12) for the first time. The MI-Cl-FDU-12 anion-exchange adsorbent was synthesized via a facile one-pot synthesis approach using sodium silicate extracted from sorghum waste as a green silica source, 1-methyl-3-(triethoxysilylpropyl) imidazolium chloride as a functionalization agent, triblock copolymer F127 as a templating or pore-directing agent, trimethyl benzene as a swelling agent, KCl as an additive, and water as a solvent. The synthesis method offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to the production of a so-called "green" adsorbent with a bimodal micro-/mesoporous structure and a high surface area comparable with the previous reports regarding FDU-12 synthesis. MI-Cl-FDU-12 was applied as an anion exchanger for the adsorption of toxic Cr(VI) oxyanions from aqueous media and various kinetic and isotherm models were fitted to experimental data to propose the adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) on the adsorbent. Langmuir model revealed the best fit to the experimental data at four different temperatures, indicating a homogeneous surface site affinity. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent were found to be 363.5, 385.5, 409.0, and 416.9 mg g−1 at 298, 303, 308, and 313 K, respectively; at optimal conditions (pH=2, adsorbent dose=3.0 mg, and contact time of 30 min), surpassing that of most previously reported Cr(VI) adsorbents in the literature. A regeneration study revealed that this adsorbent possesses outstanding performance even after six consecutive recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product design plays a key role in supporting the principles of circular economy and sustainability by improving the repair and disassembly capabilities of products. The EN4555X standard series provides a framework and a set of indicators to evaluate these aspects for energy-related products. This paper focuses on applying the RSS (Repair Scoring System) introduced by the EN45554 standard to kitchen ventilation systems (T-shape cooker hood models). The study investigates the reliability of the repairability index by examining the impact of assumptions made during its assessment, particularly focusing on the data and parameters used for calculations. The methodology involves four key steps: identification of index parameters, experimental analysis, sensitivity analysis (SA) through data variation, and result interpretation. The experimental analysis involves computing the RSS index for the chosen range hoods, encompassing a SA developed by varying index's parameters. Results illustrate that introducing consistent parameter variations across models leads to changes in the Disassemblability Index. However, these alterations remain consistent across all cases, preserving the overall product ranking. Nonetheless, the study also indicates that altering parameter weights may lead to changes in product rankings within the repairability score. This highlights the importance of employing uniform weights within the same product category. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of employing consistent methodologies and weights to uphold the reliability of repairability indexes when assessing product repairability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the drive towards sustainable design, the push for products with greater longevity, reparability, and recyclability has never been more crucial. Central to this is the integration of eco-design principles within manufacturing processes. However, there is a gap: manufacturers lack both standardized processes and digital tools to support them, even though the promising digital product passport largely focuses on product lifespan. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are paramount, serving as benchmarks for both the manufacturing process and environmental sustainability of a product. These KPIs encompass factors like energy, water, compressed air, and material resource consumption. To emphasize the importance of these metrics, Europe is vulnerable to supply disruptions due to its high dependence on raw materials from non-EU countries. This paper discusses the state of the art of digital twins and presents a digital shadow—a comprehensive digital tool design to support manufacturers during the product design phase. Drawing from a case study in the automotive sector, this tool not only aligns with recycling and sustainability objectives but also mitigates risks associated with raw material dependencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important challenges of this century will be to minimise as much as possible the energy consumption of the worldwide digital infrastructure to have a significant contribution on our emissions of CO2 reduction since energy consumption and emission of CO2 are directly linked. Therefore, after an introduction (part 1), in part 2 of this paper, we will describe the status of the worldwide production of electricity, the contribution of information and communications technology (ICT) in terms of electricity consumption, and the identification of the critical network segments that can have a significant environmental impact. In part 3, we will focus on the data centres and core services that represent important network segments responsible for the largest emission of CO2. In part 4, we will address the access and aggregation part, which represents the second important network segment to optimise. Part 5 will focus on the home networking and enterprise. And before an estimation of the energy savings obtained when adopting the innovations proposed, the impact of the vertical market will be discussed in part 6. Finally, the conclusion (part 7) will summarise the results and perspectives will be proposed to complete the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are numerous published studies that have helped to enhance our understanding about methods or approaches to eco-design products, there are limited publications that focus on the study of eco-redesign of lighting products. Redesign of existing products is one of the most applied design-related activities in industry, and eco-redesign is one of the most suitable eco-design interventions that can be applied by manufacturers when they want to include environmental considerations in their existing products. This type of eco-design intervention is incremental, which typically means less change, and therefore, lower investments of time, money, and correspondent risks. It consists of selecting an existing product from a given portfolio and redesigning it to reduce its environmental impact. This paper presents and demonstrates, with an example of a manufacturing company, a method to eco-redesign lighting products. The method is based in the iterative combination of an analysis-synthesis approach involving: (1) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess the environmental impact of the lighting product, (2) Identification of the specific issues which typically cause the impact in the product life cycle stages and components, and (3) Specific eco-lighting design strategies to address the areas of impact (and causes of that impact) identified with the LCA. This method can be applied as a stand-alone method or be integrated into existing design and development processes and methods already used by companies, to facilitate its adoption, and hence impact. Insights and limitations after the application of the method are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the approaches followed by the circular economy (CE) to achieve sustainability through design is product life extension. Extending the life of products to make them useful for as long as possible is a means to reduce waste production and materials consumption, as well as the related impacts. For designers, conceptualizing products in a way that allows them to be used for longer is a challenge, and assessing how well they extend their lifespan can be helpful when it comes to choosing the best proposal. In this paper, 70 tools and methods related to eco‐design and circular economy are studied to determine how many of them consider parameters related to life extension and which can be applied in the early stages of design. The results of the analysis show that most of the existing tools and methods are applicable to developed products, and only a few of them take into account parameters related to extending the useful life. Of the 70 tools and methods, only 14 include some parameter related to life extension and are applicable to concepts. CE toolkit, Eco‐design PILOT, CE Designer, Circularity Assessment tool, Circularity Potential Indicator and Circular Design Tools take into consideration eight or more parameters to assess life extension in concepts. This will help designers select the most appropriate and will indicate the need for more complete tools to consider useful life extension in the early stages of design and thus enhance the selection of more sustainable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultimate goal of this research is to design switched reluctance electrical motors for circular economy. Within this paper, which represents a first step towards the main objective, the authors provide an environmental impact evaluation of a switched reluctance motor, designed for an automotive application through a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment. The absence of permanent magnets makes this technology appealing from a cost perspective, and yet it is still not used in the transportation field as it is conventionally considered lower efficiency and performances with respect to other widely adopted technologies. In this paper a switched reluctance motor is compared with a permanent magnet synchronous motor on a like-for-like basis, although the magnet free configuration is not specifically designed for installation on the vehicle selected for this analysis. Furthermore, the paper provides a life cycle assessment of an eco-design strategy application to the magnet-free use case, through substitution of copper with aluminum within the stator winding. This research shows that a solution chosen to ensure cost sustainability, could also meet environmental sustainability at an acceptable performance level, if properly integrated in the end-user application.

The main policy addressing the packaging waste issue in the countries of the European Union has been to define recycling objectives along with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). With EPR, producers finance the recycling and management of waste generated by their products. Within this framework, they are expected to internalise waste management costs and engage in eco-design of their packaging, i.e., use less packaging and increase packaging recyclability (e.g., through substitution of materials). EPR has been extended worldwide over recent decades and applied to various waste streams. In this paper, by exploiting temporal variation of an original panel dataset of EPR compliance costs from 25 European countries (1998–2015) and four packaging materials, I evaluate for the first time whether these costs have led to packaging waste reduction and substitution of packaging materials. I find that the EPR financial incentive has resulted in very little (though statistically significant) packaging reduction and no systematic substitution effects between packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Among the methods of comprehensive analysis for a product or an enterprise, there exist defects and deficiencies in traditional standard cost analyses and life cycle assessment methods. For example, some methods only emphasize one dimension (such as economic or environmental factors) while neglecting other relevant dimensions. This paper builds a factor analysis model of resource value flow, based on full life cycle assessment and eco-design theory, in order to expose the relevant internal logic between these two factors. Design/methodology/approach: The model considers the efficient multiplication of resources, economic efficiency, and environmental efficiency as its core objectives. The model studies the status of resource value flow during the entire life cycle of a product, and gives an in-depth analysis on the mutual logical relationship of product performance, value, resource consumption, and environmental load to reveal the symptoms and potentials in different dimensions. Findings: This paper illustrates logical relationships among resource efficiency, economic efficiency and environmental efficiency, builds a fully comprehensive evaluation analysis model to trace, evaluate and analyze the status of the material and value flow of the product life cycle process. Originality/value: This provides comprehensive, accurate and timely decision-making information for enterprise managers regarding product eco-design, as well as production and management activities. To conclude, it verifies the availability of this evaluation and analysis model using a Chinese SUV manufacturer as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This paper addresses the escalating global issue of electronic waste (e-waste), a consequence of the burgeoning demand for electronic products coupled with their transient lifespan. The rapid accumulation of e-waste is a significant concern, especially in the context of climate change, necessitating a detailed analysis of current management strategies and the development of sustainable management practices. The intricate relationship between e-waste and climate change is emphasized, illustrating how improper disposal and recycling practices substantially contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Main body of the abstract A meticulous analysis is conducted to critique the prevailing e-waste management strategies, identifying their shortcomings and the urgent need for enhancement and globalization of these protocols. The paper argues for a fortified, universal approach to e-waste management to address the deficiencies in current methodologies. A set of strategic, sustainable solutions for e-waste management is proposed, encompassing comprehensive regulatory frameworks, advanced recycling technologies, the incorporation of eco-design principles, and the enhancement of consumer awareness. These solutions pivot around the circular economy concept, viewing waste as a valuable resource rather than a disposal predicament, thereby promoting sustainability. Short conclusion The paper concludes that a consolidated, global approach to e-waste management is imperative for addressing the proliferation of discarded electronics and is pivotal in the wider context of mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable development. It underscores the transformative potential of sustainable e-waste management, transforming a formidable challenge into an opportunity for environmental conservation, economic growth, and societal progress, emphasizing the importance of viewing e-waste management as a vehicle for sustainability.

This paper presents five case studies on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling to provide a coherent overview on the likely impact of eco‐design measures on recycling of plastics used in energy‐related products within the EU. Whilst some eco‐design measures, such as improving disassembly of plastic parts, may generally benefit recycling operations, other measures were found to be ineffective or requiring further investigation. For example, product polymer marking, and provision of product‐specific information was rarely utilized by participant organizations, if at all. Additionally, this study highlights a disconnect between the aims of substance bans as an eco‐design measure and the impact upon plastics recycling in practice. Future research could help with quantitative and/or statistical analysis of WEEE processing to investigate across a wider selection of recyclers and recycling processes. Despite 20 years of research on eco‐design, it appears that EU eco‐design policies and voluntary initiatives are still being devised without adequate understanding of their impact on different types of recycling practices. Empirical research on recycling processes can provide important insight to ensure eco‐design measures are effective and avoid unintended consequences for the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability-related information affects people's choices and evaluation. The literature has made significant efforts to understand the best ways of delivering this kind of information to shape consumer behavior. However, while most studies have focused on packaged products and direct information provided through eco-labels, preferences could be formed differently in other design domains. The paper investigates the effect of the perceived amount of indirect information on the evaluation of an architectural artefact. A sample of 172 participants visited a locally produced mobile tiny house, made with a considerable amount of sustainable materials. The same participants answered a questionnaire about their perceived knowledge, quality, appropriateness and sustainability of the tiny house. The general level of knowledge of the tiny house was used as a proxy of the amount of indirect information received. Although the knowledge of the tiny house was generally low, ratings regarding the other dimensions were overall extremely positive. In particular, no evident relation was found between knowledge of the tiny house and sustainability, while the latter is significantly linked to quality aspects. These outcomes deviate from the evidence from other studies; this might be due to indirect vs. direct information and the peculiarity of the study carried out in the field of buildings. The gathered demographic and background data of the participants make it possible to highlight the role played by gender and age in affecting the evaluations, but the absence of a significant impact of experience in the field, education and origin. The results are compared with findings related to the evaluation of sustainable products and green buildings in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we describe a method for determining polymer compatibility, which will aid in establishing the requirements of polyolefinic materials for the eco-design of multilayer films for mechanical recycling while avoiding the use of reactive tie layers. Our ultimate goal is to define the molecular characteristics of the polyolefinic structural layer that improve compatibility with the tie layer during mechanical recycling. We have investigated the melting temperature depression of single crystals of various polyethylenes embedded in commercial polymeric matrices with various functionalities (ester, acrylate, acetate and methacrylic acid sodium ionomer), which can be potentially used as tie layers. We demonstrate how the concentration and molecular architecture of the matrices affect the melting temperature of the embedded single crystals differently depending on the latter's molecular architecture. The main finding indicates that the tie layers are more compatible with linear polyethylene than with branched polyethylenes. Indeed, our results show that the heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta linear low-density polyethylene is incompatible with all of the tie layers tested. The depression of melting temperatures observed are in excellent agreement with the results obtained by investigating the rheological behaviour and morphological features of solution-mixed blends in which segmental interactions between polymeric chains have been, in theory, maximized. Because Ziegler–Natta linear density polyethylene is one of the most commonly used polymers as a structural layer in multi-layer applications, the findings of this study are useful as they clearly show the unsuitability of this type of polyethylene for recycling from an eco-design standpoint. The specific molecular requirements for polyethylene layers (branching content less than 0.5/100 carbon atoms) can be specified for use in packaging, guiding the eco-design and valorisation of recycled multi-layered films containing this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is urgent to introduce life cycle assessment (LCA) into eco-design in order to conduct eco-design in the quantitative and systematic era. In the design phase, various uncertainties in product life cycle inventory (LCI) are emerged. In practice, the real value of LCI calculated in the product end-of-life phase may be much different from the target LCI value predicted in the design phase. The aim of this research is to propose a robust design method to overcome the uncertainty issue. Regarding the scope of LCI analysis, this paper focused on the product manufacturing phase and its end-of-life phase. In this paper, the design problem of robust eco-design is modeled in a mathematical way, the novel sensitivity coefficient of LCI with uncertainty is proposed to solve the robust eco-design problem from mathematical perspective, and a guideline-based approach for robust design is proposed based on the new sensitivity coefficients. A case study is provided to illustrate the application of this research and validate our methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]