Page 152 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

Design Rules and Guidelines 131

• Reduce the product’s physical dimensions—In the digital
age, size reduction is a natural consequence of technological
improvement. For example, Eastman Kodak’s DFE efforts
have helped its digital cameras grow lighter and more energy-
efficient, while performance has dramatically improved.
• Reduce the mass of key components—For example, reduced
power consumption in electronic devices has helped to reduce
energy demand, while new battery technologies have enabled
smaller and lighter battery packs.
• Specify lighter-weight materials as substitutes—For exam-
ple, composite materials are attractive because they have
superior strength-to-weight ratios, although this property
may present recyclability challenges (see Section C.3, Design
for Recyclability).
• Design thinner enclosures with existing materials—For
example, U.S. EPA estimates that, since 1977, the weight of
2-liter plastic soft drink bottles has been reduced from 68
grams each to 51 grams, removing 250 million pounds of
plastic per year from the waste stream.
• Increase the concentration in liquid products—For exam-
ple, Procter & Gamble has been a pioneer in developing new
product forms that reduce both water use and solid waste;
ultra-concentrated detergents have rapidly grown in market
share (see Chapter 16).
• Use electronic documentation instead of paper—This has
become standard practice in the electronics industry. Avail-
ability of web-based technical support reduces the need for
manufacturers to supply comprehensive hard copy docu-
mentation.
• Reduce the weight or complexity of packaging—The Sus-
tainable Packaging Coalition has developed a comprehensive
set of packaging design guidelines [3]. Like any product com-
ponent, packaging can benefit from the full range of DFE
strategies.
Example: In 2008, in response to a challenge from Wal-Mart to reduce
packaging, HP introduced the Pavilion dv6929 notebook PC in a
recycled laptop bag with 97% less packaging than typical laptops. The
carrying bag contains no foam, only some plastic bags for consumers
to dispose of. The bag itself, save for the buckle, strap, and zipper,
is made out of 100% recycled fabric. HP is able to fit three bags in a
box for shipping the product to stores, thus reducing energy use and
costs related to logistics.
• Reduce consumption of shipping containers—In many
supply chains, disposal of used containers such as shipping
pallets is a major source of solid waste. Significant cost sav-
ings and material efficiency can be achieved by designing