The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance put together the Design for Environment (DfE) Toolkit to help companies easily integrate environmental attributes into product design.
The guide, in four PDF files, provides case studies of successful DfE projects, and lays out a DfE matrix. The matrix, a series of 58 questions that address a wide range of design and environmental topics, is the heart of the toolkit. The questions guide designers into considering potential environmental impacts caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of the product. In addition, the matrix highlights areas of environmental concern and provides manufacturers with ideas and options for resolving those concerns. Through some complex figuring, a score can be reached to rate the environmental attributes of the proposed or existing products. Additionally, the guide contains an index of hazardous chemical pollutants, and further resources for specific industry actions.
Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth
FULL STORY: Design for Environment Toolkit
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