A Conceptual Model for Sustainable Product Design

This paper proposes a conceptual model to support sustainable product design. The approach develops an integrated multimodal decision making model which is to be introduced early in the design process, as the basis for the integration of the life cycle assessment into an Eco-design model. The model, which is based upon an adapted “House of Quality” analysis, supports designers when assessing the environmental impact of the product design. The resulting Eco-design model evaluates the sustainability of the designed product using criteria that consider the impact of manufacturing process, product usage and end-of-life (EoL) disposal strategy. This approach is demonstrated using a case study that considers the design of a set of crocodile medical forceps, in which the redesign of a new forceps is undertaken by considering all the parameters in the Eco-design model.