1. Creating a user friendly eco-label: an integrated sustainability assessment framework for products
- Author
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Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Pérez González, Juan Jesús, Park, Kijung, Soto Moreira, Laura, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Pérez González, Juan Jesús, Park, Kijung, and Soto Moreira, Laura
- Abstract
Nowadays, companies face the pressing challenge of reconciling their operational goals with environmental responsibility. The transition to necessary environmental sustainability practices increasingly compels the industry to re-evaluate its operations and supply chains in order to mitigate their adverse impact. This adjustment, though time and investment-intensive, presents an opportunity for firms to gain economic as well as environmental benefits. Consumer environmental commitment and responsibility play a crucial role in fostering innovation and competitive advantage in industrial products. Hence, effective communication of sustainability information to potential customers is of particular importance. This project documents the tools and methods available for stakeholders that can provide this competitive advantage. The study explores the creation of a new framework that integrates information and methodologies from current research on Environmental Sustainability Indicators to assess the environmental sustainability of the entire life cycle of industrial products. The process begins by establishing the foundational system, describing the social and environmental context, and setting objectives. A database of potential indicators is narrowed down to 24 based on their importance in representing each category. These indicators will not have equal weight in product certification. Four essential criteria are established and evaluated by a group of consumers through an online survey, with responses processed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Additionally, experts rank the indicators within categories to define their weight in the final score. The design of the Front-of-Package (FOP) scoring and labelling system is tested on a dairy industry product, and the results are analysed across criteria and categories, comparing with current certifications. The proposed logo is compared with existing alternatives. Conclusions recommend additional tests across indus
- Published
- 2024