A first step in electronic ecodesign

This paper lays a framework for the development of a methodology that includes environmental and energy conservation considerations in electronic design. Using the basic environmental principles of “reduce, reuse, and recycle”, a number of design areas are addressed and augmented to include environmental issues. The concept of a design budget that includes environmental costs is introduced, and some suggestions are made on using “the three Rs” during the actual design process. Additional techniques are suggested for printed-circuit boards, for determining the proper components, for system manufacturing, packaging, distribution/shipping, and product disposal suggestions are made on development activities to help electronic designers apply environmentally-friendly techniques to the design process and to make decisions on design alternatives. The paper concludes by discussing the current business climate and the acceptance by manufacturing companies of the ecodesign concept