A systematic review of environmentally conscious product design

Abstract

Recently environmentally conscious product design (ECPD) is highlightedby research community, because of the global conscious about low carbonemission and sustainable development. ECPD cares about theenvironmental, social and economic impacts of products during their lifecycle phases, with the destination to achieve product life cycle designfor sustainability. Furthermore, information and communicationtechnologies are important for the implementation of computer-aidedeco-design. The theories, methods, software tools about ECPD during 2005to 2015 were reviewed in this work. Five most related aspects includingproduct eco-design, design for disassembly (DFD), design for recycling(DFR), material selection (MS), and eco-design software tools wereanalyzed as related categories. Eco-impact assessment was found to be apre-step in ECPD followed by product eco-innovation. DFD, DFR, and MShelped to improve the energy efficiency and eco-friendliness ofproducts. Eco-design software tools are focusing on CAD-integration,web-based and knowledge base-based characteristics. More eco-designsoftware tools will be developed in specific industries and to handlingproducts with composite materials.