Designing Support for Manufacturing SMEs Approaching Ecodesign and Cleaner Production-Learning from UK Survey Results

Proponents of ecodesign and cleaner production have had mixed success in penetrating small and medium sized manufacturing companies in the UK. Existing schemes, such as Envirowise and EnviroINNOVATE in the West Midlands, typically rely on external funding and leave a gap in provision for deeper intervention in smaller companies. Design criteria for effective support of these smaller manufacturers are presented based on an understanding of drivers, barriers and enablers for cleaner manufacturing from four surveys of UK SMEs. This contributes to strategies for enhancing eco-product innovation and cleaner production in SMEs; part of an ongoing project at Warwick Manufacturing Group.