Ecodesign with EDCW

Established in 2005 EDCW is a knowledge-intensive organization specializing in making ecodesign happen. We make ecodesign through developing and delivering collaborative multi-sectoral projects (in partnership with the private, public, and third sectors). This includes working with companies, industry associations, design agencies, educators, government policy-makers, government-funded organizations, and social enterprises amongst others. These ecodesign projects are underpinned by applied research, international best practice scanning, active participation in international networks, and a focus on capacity building.

Recent clients include Harman International, Orangebox, Global Laser, European Coil Coating Association (ECCA), European Commission, United Nations, SVID/Mistra (Swedish government-funded bodies), PREPARE network, Higher Education Academy (HEA), Welsh Government, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW).

What is Ecodesign?

Design is the functional means by which the creative assets of a company, which are a necessary condition for innovation, are channeled for competitive advantage. There is a growing body of evidence linking good design to company performance.

Ecodesign is a strategic design management process that is concerned with minimizing the impact of the life cycle of products and services (e.g. energy, materials, distribution, packaging, and end-of-life treatment). This involves assessing, prioritizing and then designing out problems, or designing new solutions. These solutions can range from specifying renewable materials, reducing the energy during usage to innovating the business model.

Ecodesign = good design = good business practice

Ecodesign also takes into account social impacts in the production and consumption of products and services, making a significant contribution to sustainable development. Communicating and building ecodesign thinking into future product development is crucial.

By challenging the status quo, ecodesign plays a key role in the global move towards a more sustainable economy.

In simple terms, ecodesign is good design and good business practice through the adoption of a holistic life cycle thinking approach, which extends the vision of design beyond traditional boundaries of production and use.

Ecodesign Approaches

Life Cycle Thinking means considering the full life cycle impacts of a product, packaging, or service. This includes material extraction, manufacture, distribution, retail, use, and end-of-life. Completing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can make a comparison between different design options allowing the least damaging option to be selected.

Design for Disassembly considers the easy separation of different types of material from a product once its useful life has come to an end, to allow for effective recycling.

Reduce the negative impact of a product on the environment, for example by removing hazardous chemicals or materials, without compromising the design.

Re-Design the product or product system, for example by redesigning the product to take advantage of more sustainable materials and cleaner production methods.

Re-Define a product or service into a solution that makes commercial sense whilst being sustainable, for example considering whether a car is the best solution to move from A to B.

Why do Ecodesign?

Crucially ecodesign can make a direct difference to the bottom line through reducing costs, increasing innovation, attracting investment, improving brand position, and enhancing business communications.

As a strategic design management process, ecodesign can also help companies proactively comply with environmental legislation.

Ecodesign is a way of thinking and doing

As a process, ecodesign can help provide practical and creative solutions to complex problems, especially with respect to sustainability. At an organizational level, ecodesign considers materials, processes, and practices. It can identify layers of the waste but also layers of value. Effective ecodesign requires collaboration and is system-oriented, multidisciplinary, and cross-functional. It involves changing people’s behavior.

From a business perspective, ecodesign can make a direct difference to the bottom line. Ecodesign benefits include; competitive advantage, reducing costs, assisting with legislative compliance (e.g. ecodesign directive), increasing innovation, attracting investment, improving brand position, and enhancing business communications.

Some of our projects

cycLED

cycLED will develop and implement solutions for product design and eco-innovation of LED products.

Fast Payout Online Casino

Withdrawals and deposits are important for many online players, but luckily there is relief on the horizon. For those who want to get started with a fast payout casino right away, we’ve created an eco-design for a website offering the best casinos with same-day withdrawals.

Construction Research

EDCW has been commissioned by CEW to look at the feasibility of implementing a tool that helps the construction industry select environmentally superior products while phasing out hazardous substances.

Centre of Excellence in Ecodesign

EDCW has been designated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Ecodesign by the WG since 2008. As a CoE EDCW works with the Welsh Government (WG), industry, educators, and other actors to enable, stimulate demand for, and make ecodesign happen.

Materials Matter

Different materials need different waste treatment approaches, some are only reusable and not recyclable, others are not suitable for energy recovery but can be recycled through reprocessing.