A design evaluation method for environment-conscious products (ECP) has been developed to decrease the environmental impact exerted during the life cycle of these products. This evaluation method is intended to allow assessment of product design to create ECP, and consists of (1) an environmental impact evaluation, and (2) a 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) evaluation. Since our company produces a wide range of products, a different environment-conscious design is needed for each product category. For this reason, through case studies, the category divisions have been clarified and evaluation items for ECP design have been separately devised for each category. An evaluation method has also been established as a technique that can use evaluation results to single out which design policies are likely to be the most effective in reducing environmental impact. A disassembly property evaluation index has also been devised for evaluating the degree to which a design has been optimized for ease of disassembly. Moreover, this technique has been developed into an environment-conscious design support system which includes specific design examples to allow any product designer to utilize this technique. This article introduces evaluations of a bio decomposer for home use and an interior door as specific examples.
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