How can you reduce the carbon footprint of your product through sustainable material selection?

1 Assess the current situation

The first step is to evaluate the current state of your product and its materials. You can use tools such as the bill of materials (BOM) or the life cycle assessment (LCA) to identify the types, quantities, and sources of materials that are used in your product. The BOM is a list of all the components and materials that make up your product, while the LCA is a method of estimating the environmental impacts of your product at each stage of its life cycle. By using these tools, you can get a clear picture of the material inputs and outputs of your product and their carbon footprint.

2 Set sustainability goals

The next step is to define your sustainability goals and criteria for your product and its materials. You can use frameworks such as the circular economy or the cradle-to-cradle principles to guide your decision-making. The circular economy is a system that aims to eliminate waste and keep materials in use for as long as possible, while the cradle-to-cradle principles are a set of design guidelines that ensure that products are made from safe and renewable materials that can be reused or recycled. By setting sustainability goals, you can establish a vision and a direction for your material selection process.

4 Evaluate and select materials

The fourth step is to evaluate and select the best materials for your product based on your sustainability goals and criteria. You can use tools such as the Material Selection Matrix or the Eco-Indicator 99 to compare and rank different material options according to their environmental performance, technical feasibility, and economic viability. The Material Selection Matrix is a table that shows the scores and weights of different material attributes, while the Eco-Indicator 99 is a method of calculating the environmental damage caused by different material choices. By evaluating and selecting materials, you can make informed and rational decisions for your product design.

5 Implement and test materials

The fifth step is to implement and test the selected materials in your product design and development process. You can use methods such as prototyping, simulation, or user testing to verify and validate the functionality, usability, and desirability of your product with the new materials. You can also use tools such as the Carbon Footprint Calculator or the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to measure and communicate the carbon footprint of your product with the new materials. The Carbon Footprint Calculator is a tool that estimates the greenhouse gas emissions of your product based on its materials and processes, while the EPD is a document that provides transparent and verified information on the environmental impacts of your product. By implementing and testing materials, you can ensure that your product meets your sustainability goals and customer expectations.

6 Monitor and improve materials

The sixth and final step is to monitor and improve the materials and their performance in your product over time. You can use methods such as feedback, audits, or certification to collect and analyze data on the environmental and social impacts of your product and its materials throughout its life cycle. You can also use tools such as the Material Passport or the Material Circularity Indicator to track and improve the material flows and cycles of your product and its materials. The Material Passport is a document that records the history, composition, and value of the materials in your product, while the Material Circularity Indicator is a metric that measures how well a product or material supports the circular economy. By monitoring and improving materials, you can continuously optimize and enhance your product design and its carbon footprint.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?