Structure for categorization of EcoDesign methods and tools

Abstract

EcoDesign methods and tools play an important role in assuring that environmental aspects are considered in the product development process. However, despite the large number of EcoDesign methods and tools in the literature, they are rarely implemented and used in product development. The objective of this paper is present a structure for how to categorize different EcoDesign methods and tools, or more specifically, a structure that can work as guidance for, depending on the context and need, selecting EcoDesign methods and tools. Based on a literature review, a structure for categorization of EcoDesign methods and tools is presented, and a total of 28 EcoDesign methods and tools are mapped. These EcoDesign methods and tools include benchmarking tools, tools for investigating customer needs, concept generation and elimination tools and evaluating and assessment tools.