Beyond environmental monitoring and legislation: the “green design” approach to a sustainable development

Abstract

The progress towards sustainable development necessitates the adoption of new strategies in product and process development. The Green Design (GD) approach is a new design practice that promises to develop environmentally benign products and processes without compromising other criteria such as function, quality and cost. Methods used in GD are: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flows and Cycles, Material and Energy Balance Analysis, Green Indices, Design for Disassembly and Recycling (DfD/R), Risk Analysis, Material Selection and Label Advisors and Full Cost Accounting Methodologies. Implementation of GD practice in companies requires the full commitment of the company's senior management. Many examples of GD efforts do exist. Legislation has already started to reflect the GD principles