Page 230 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

Pr oduct Life-Cycle Management 207

Long before sustainability became popular, 3M was regarded as a
leader in environmental excellence, thanks partly to its pioneering
Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) program launched in 1975 [3]. The pro-
gram is based on the belief that preventing pollution at its source is
more environmentally effective, technically sound, and economical
than conventional pollution controls. By 2008, the 3P program had
prevented more than 2.7 billion pounds of pollutants and saved the
company an estimated $1.2 billion. 3P projects are conceived and
managed voluntarily by 3M employees, and innovative projects are
recognized with 3P Awards. There have been close to 7000 3P projects
conducted to date, using a variety of DFE techniques, such as product
reformulation, process modification, equipment redesign, or recy-
cling and reuse of waste materials.
In 2000, 3M made a voluntary decision to phase out its current line
of Scotchgard and other fluorochemical-based products that served
markets such as water repellents, coatings for food packaging, and
fire-fighting foams. The decision was based on the discovery of min-
ute traces of a persistent, bioaccumulative by-product in the tissues of
humans and wildlife. Although there was no evidence of harm, and
3M was not legally obligated to take action, the company decided to
err on the side of caution and worked with regulators and customers
to communicate its phase-out rationale. This decision demonstrated
the company’s commitment to a proactive product stewardship policy
and, ultimately, enhanced its reputation. Since then, 3M has devel-
oped alternative chemistries that are considered safe for humans and
the environment.

Life Cycle Management Program
In 1998, 3M introduced a corporate initiative called Life Cycle Man-
agement (LCM) to assure an awareness of potential impacts at every
stage of the life cycle: from design and manufacturing to customer
use and disposal. LCM is an integral part of 3M’s sustainability strat-
egy. Instead of only focusing on the manufacturing process to con-
trol environmental, health, safety, and energy effects, the spotlight
is now on products throughout their entire life cycle, from manu-
facturing through customer use and disposal. 3M has adopted a Life
Cycle Man agement Policy requiring all business units to conduct
LCM reviews for all new products and for existing products on a
prioritized basis.
With hundreds of new products introduced each year, the LCM
process gives 3M a continuous flow of opportunities to significantly
add to its environmental progress. Cross-functional, new product
introduction teams use a Life Cycle Management matrix (see Figure
10.5) to systematically and holistically address the environmental,
health, and safety (EHS) opportunities and issues over each stage of
their product’s life. The LCM process focuses on the broader impact