Functional, ecological properties and consumer behaviour are treated as individual issues in the modern society by consumers, business people as well as industry. However, they are interrelated and also interactive; their interaction is at the heart of this research. To date, no systematic study has been reported in the literature studying the interrelation and interaction of these aspects. This study makes an attempt to combine them in a single platform termed "Eco-Functional Assessment". This research discusses the concept of eco-functional assessment and demonstrates the applications of the concept by considering shopping bags used for grocery purposes as an example. A theoretical framework for eco-functional assessment was developed and the following original contributions in relation to the developed theoretical framework were made in this research work: • A unique model was created to quantify the environmental impact index (EI), ecological sustainability index (ESI) of different textile fibres and other raw materials. • Life cycle audit was conducted to develop a comprehensive life cycle inventory of manufacturing process of nonwoven shopping bags and life cycle impacts were manually characterized and normalized to an average Chinese individual. • Various functional properties of shopping bags were assessed and a new tester was developed to scientifically quantify the reusability, impact strength and weight-holding capacity of various shopping bags. • A new model was created to quantify the recyclability potential index (RPI) of different textile fibres and other raw materials and soil burial test was conducted to assess the biodegradability of various shopping bags on the same platform. • A questionnaire survey was conducted to study the consumption behaviour of different user groups in China, Hong Kong and India and the results from the real users were utilized to model the end-of-life phase of various shopping bags. • Synthesizing the discussed aspects in the developed eco-functional model, eco-functional capacities of 23 shopping bags were assessed and "eco-functional" scores of those were quantified. • An eco-functional assessment combined with life cycle assessment study for an average Indian, Chinese and Hong Kong resident was conducted to quantify the carbon footprint, ecological footprint and eco-damage of various shopping bags.
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