Thinking Differently about the Product Lifecycle
Take the first step towards developing a framework for sustainable products by evaluating your product's life cycle. Understand where environmental and social impacts may occur such as during production, use and disposal.
Typical Product Life Cycle
A typical product life cycle is linear. At each stage, there are material, energy, and labor inputs and waste outputs that create environmental and social impacts.
Strive to Achieve a Closed-Loop Product Life Cycle
Studies estimate that 70% of the life cycle cost of products is determined at the design stage. Manufacturers are becoming increasingly responsible for life cycle impacts of the products they produce due to legislation, customer demand, and negative publicity. By analyzing the product life cycle, you can “design out” hazards at each stage to transition to a closed-loop product life cycle.
A more ideal product life cycle: Resources and waste are managed in a closed-loop cycle, with products being reused, recycled and remanufactured.
