Eco-KIT: webbased ecodesign toolbox for SMEs

Author

Jansen, B. ; Vercalsteren, A.

fYear

2001

fDate

2001

Firstpage

234

Lastpage

239

Abstract

This paper presents 2 topics: 1. an approach towards SMEs, based on ecodesign experiences of Vito, and 2. eco-KIT, a simple-to-use webbased ecodesign toolkit that has been developed mainly to persuade SMEs on taking a proactive attitude towards environmental impact prevention. During the past 2 demonstration projects on ecodesign in Flanders, it was concluded that some SMEs are openminded towards implementing ecodesign, but currently available tools require too much efforts and/or lack demonstrable advantages in business opportunities. Added value is generated when the tool helps the SME to find possible product or service innovations that are profitable for the company and the environment. Also, when relating stakeholder priorities to environmental product requirements, the implementation of ecodesign strategies becomes more relevant to the SME In this paper the background of the development and the functionality of eco-KIT is discussed

Keywords

CAD; design for environment; product development; recycling; Eco-KIT webbased ecodesign toolbox; ecodesign strategies; environmental impact prevention; environmental product requirements; small to medium enterprises; stakeholder priorities; Business; Companies; Costs; Environmental management; Government; Legislation; Probes; Project management; Samarium; Technological innovation;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Environmentally Conscious Design and Inverse Manufacturing, 2001. Proceedings EcoDesign 2001: Second International Symposium on

Conference_Location

Tokyo

Print_ISBN

0-7695-1266-6

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/.2001.992354

Filename

992354