Are Eco-Design Strategies Implemented in Products? A Study on the Agreement Level of Independent Observers

Abstract

Eco-Design Strategies lead to both enhanced environmental sustainability and product differentiation, which, however, takes place only if observers recognize and value these advantages. To study this aspect, a sample of 40 product pictures has been administered to 12 subjects with experience in eco-design. They were asked to evaluate whether one or more Eco-Design Strategies (in Vezzoli and Manzini's version) were implemented in each depicted product. The outcome of the evaluation was an overall fair agreement. Useful information for eco-design is inferred from nuances of the results.

Creativity in successful eco-design supported by ten original guidelines

“…The study was deployed in order to further explore: i. i. The possibility of identifying eco-design strategies in the transition from commonplace to eco-designed products (Maccioni et al, 2020); ii.…”

“…The differences between the SEDGs and principles classically found in eco-design, including the mentioned "Ten Golden Rules", is focused on in Section 7, with a specific reference to involved scientific and cultural domains. In (Maccioni et al, 2019b;Maccioni et al, 2020), it has emerged that principles underpinning Product Service System (PSS) favor success through valuable and innovative solutions. Based on the results emerged in the abovementioned papers, the following guideline has been formulated.…”

“…According to (Maccioni et al, 2019;Maccioni et al, 2020), marginal improvements in terms of material content or energy consumption cannot guarantee a competitive advantage (unless changes are disruptive). This means that considering additional competing factors is essential to penetrate the market.…”

“…In (Maccioni et al, 2019;Maccioni et al, 2020), it is shown that minimizing the resource toxicity and harmfulness can be considered a powerful value driver and an opportunity to succeed. To this respect, the following guideline has been formulated.…”

“…Renewability and the biocompatibility are always implicitly associated to the value creation in the eco-design thinking. However, in (Maccioni et al, 2019b;Maccioni et al, 2020) it has emerged that, often, consumers tend to associate the increase of renewability or biocompatibility performances as an increase of cost they are not willing to pay for. Therefore, the following guidelines has been formulated.…”