Methods for Weighting DfE Choices in the Development of a More Sustainable Supply Chain

In this chapter we proposed a procedure which, by combining the life cycle analysis (LCA) technique and an appropriate use of quality function deployment (QFD) type multi-criteria matrices, tries to define design specifications for all the stakeholders involved in a supply chain: customers, manufacturers, suppliers, suppliers of the suppliers, etc. In particular by combining LCA techniques and by using the QFD multi-criteria matrices, an “environmental compromise” can be reached. In this work the QFD matrices have been developed in a new way using an iterative process that involves the whole supply chain starting from the product life cycle, taking into consideration the machines that make the product and their components. This methodology is compatible with the requirements of the various stakeholders, suppliers, manufacturers and, clients, involved in the supply chain. Using the proposed procedure, a specific supply chain for packaging systems for liquid food substances (beverage cartons) was studied. Life cycle thinking must influence the environmental management of firms which deal with packaging systems involving all areas of their activity, starting from ways of designing the product and finding raw materials, to packaging and machine production operations and even to the management of the post-consumption/disposal phase.