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A Practical Method for Quantifying Eco‐efficiency Using Eco‐design Support Tools

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  • Yoshinori Kobayashi
  • Hideki Kobayashi
  • Akinori Hongu
  • Kiyoshi Sanehira

Abstract

Eco‐efficiency at the product level is defined as product value per unit of environmental impact. In this paper we present a method for quantifying the eco‐efficiency using quality function deployment (QFD) and life‐cycle impact assessment (LCIA). These well‐known tools are widely used in the manufacturing industry. QFD, which is one of the methods used in product development based on consumer preferences, is introduced to calculate the product value. An index of the product value is calculated as the weighted average of improvement rates of quality characteristics. The importance of customer requirements, derived from the QFD matrix, is applied. Environmental impacts throughout a product life cycle are calculated based on an LCIA method widely used in Japan. By applying the LCIA method of endpoint type, the endpoint damage caused by various life‐cycle inventories is calculated. Willingness to pay is applied to integrate it into a single index. Eco‐design support tools, namely, the life‐cycle planning (LCP) tool and the life‐cycle assessment (LCA) tool, have already been developed. Using these tools, data required for calculation of the eco‐efficiency of products can be collected. The product value is calculated based on QFD data stored in the LCP tool and the environmental impact is calculated using the LCA tool. Case studies of eco‐efficiency are adopted and the adequacy of this method is clarified. Several advantages of this method are characterized.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoshinori Kobayashi & Hideki Kobayashi & Akinori Hongu & Kiyoshi Sanehira, 2005. "A Practical Method for Quantifying Eco‐efficiency Using Eco‐design Support Tools," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 9(4), pages 131-144, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:9:y:2005:i:4:p:131-144
    DOI: 10.1162/108819805775247990
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    Cited by:

    1. Burchart-Korol Dorota & Czaplicka-Kolarz Krystyna, 2013. "Computer Applications in Eco-efficiency Assessment in Logistics," Management, Sciendo, vol. 17(2), pages 232-244, December.
    2. Li Yue & Dan Xue & Muhammad Umar Draz & Fayyaz Ahmad & Jiaojiao Li & Farrukh Shahzad & Shahid Ali, 2020. "The Double-Edged Sword of Urbanization and Its Nexus with Eco-Efficiency in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Li, Bo & Han, Yukai & Wang, Chensheng & Sun, Wei, 2022. "Did civilized city policy improve energy efficiency of resource-based cities? Prefecture-level evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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