The eco-value analysis : an approach to assigning environmental impacts and costs to customers' demands

Design for environment faces a conflict: On the one hand, products must be environmentally friendly; on the other, products must conform with the market. The customer does not buy components; s/he buys functions. Measures that improve the products’ market value often lead to increased environmental impacts and costs, since every product function causes some. The developed Eco-Value Analysis supports the designer to fulfil customers’ demands and aims at a holistic approach, considering technical, environmental and economical aspects. Two portfolios represent the results. Dependent on the results for each function, recommendations for designing products, which are environmentally friendly as well as conform with the market are given.