Devising ecodesign strategies in a furniture industry based on cluster analysis

Devising ecodesign strategies in a furniture industry based on cluster analysis

Borchardt, M.
Sellitto, M.A.
Pereira, G.M.
Gomes, L.P.

2010-10-26

This study aims to devise group guidelines to implement ecodesign practices (Design for Environment) in the furniture industry. Surveys were the main research method used to investigate the level of application of ecodesign in 22 companies in southern Brazil. The term ecodesign was unfolded into ecodesign practices (set of activities), which were further developed into assessment items which were each assigned a question with categorical answers. The practices investigated are defined as follows: environmental management; (ii) materials (selection and choice); (iii) product components; (iv) process/product characteristics; (v) use of natural resources; (vi) product and stock distribution; (vii) packaging and documentation; and (viii) waste. A cluster analysis was made of the responses to the surveys through the k-means method and the four-cluster hypothesis. The cluster which most often applies ecodesign practices is comprised of enterprises with a previously structured environmental management system. In this case, the main guidelines suggest applying product Life Cycle Assessment, structuring environmental performance indicators and strengthening the image of the environmentally correct company. The main guidelines for the cluster which less often applies ecodesign practices refer to compliance with environmental laws and improvement of productive operations. The other two clusters partially adopt ecodesign practices.

ecodesign
furniture industry
design for environment
ecodesign guidelines

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:96dceb38-2989-4fe0-8449-68ddf823002c

Conference proceedings

conference paper

(c) 2010 Borchardt, M.; Sellitto, M.A.; Pereira, G.M.; Gomes, L.P.