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- O papel do ecodesign na eficiência energética dos produtos cerâmicosPublication . Sousa Rocha, CristinaA indústria cerâmica tem feito, nas últimas décadas, assinaláveis melhorias no desempenho ambiental em geral, e na redução do consumo de energia em particular, na fase de produção. Pretendeu-se aqui explorar o contributo do ecodesign para os objetivos de aumento da eficiência energética, não só na fabricação, mas também noutras fases do ciclo de vida, especialmente dos produtos cerâmicos de construção, cujo papel no comportamento energético dos edifícios é bastante importante. Ao atuar a nível do design, surgem oportunidades de diferenciação e inovação dos produtos que são cruciais para a competitividade de um sector em crise, apesar da sua longa tradição em Portugal. O projeto InEDIC - Inovação e Ecodesign na Indústria Cerâmica teve como principal objetivo desenvolver materiais didáticos e ferramentas de ecodesign para o sector, testados através de projetos de demonstração em empresas e amplamente disseminados junto das comunidades empresariais e académicas. Neste contexto, foram desenvolvidas estratégias e medidas de ecodesign que aqui se apresentam, com um enfoque nas que se relacionam com a eficiência energética. Tais propostas são ilustradas através de diversos exemplos, alguns já disponíveis no mercado, outros ainda de carácter experimental. O artigo termina com um conjunto de reflexões sobre o papel dos designers neste contexto e o potencial de melhorias ambientais e energéticas associadas ao ecodesign na cerâmica, uma prática ainda incipiente no sector, e abre perspetivas para futuros desenvolvimentos.
- Pressure cooker under pressure: implementation of life cycle strategies and tools in a medium sized industry in PortugalPublication . Sousa Rocha, Cristina; Alexandre, Jorge; Camocho, David; Martins, PauloThis paper concerns the application of a set of life cycle oriented strategies and tools to a pressure cooker manufactured by a medium size company located in Portugal and targeting the international market. The life cycle assessment (LCA) indicated the major environmental problems of this product, which together with the company strategy of appealing the consumer through a 100% recyclable and more ergonomic product, provided the direction for the product and market development. Besides the LCA, an ecodesign project was carried out for a reference pressure cooker and through the use of several tools, including ecodesign checklists co-developed by LNEG in a previous project, a number of improvement options was generated, leading to the reduction and substitution of raw materials consumption, improved recyclability, better ergonomic features, more eco-friendly packaging and improved user interaction. A simplified environmental product declaration for the reference product was elaborated, in the framework of the EU Stepwise EPD project, and its marketing asset was evaluated through different communication methods, including phone meetings, website feedback, mailing lists and direct communication with customers in business fairs. This paper presents the results of this project and the characteristics of the improved product, and reflects upon the use of different life cycle-related strategies and tools in an integrated way; thus, this case study contributes to the understanding of the pros and cons of implementing life cycle strategies and tools in businesses.
- Design for sustainability models : a multiperspective reviewPublication . Sousa Rocha, Cristina; Antunes, Paula; Partidário, Paulo JorgeABSTRACT: Several authors have identified limitations in the uptake of design for sustainability (DfS) in companies and value chains. In spite of the extensive literature on the subject, researchers and practitioners still do not share a common overview on the subject, which hinders operationalization efforts. This paper proposes that DfS adoption is more likely to be successful if informed by corporate sustainability management and design management theories. Therefore, an analytical framework has been developed and applied to systematically analyse ten published design for sustainability models, which were identified through an extensive literature review. The analytical framework is composed of nine building blocks, or elements, organized in three levels: strategic, tactical and operational. To facilitate a more detailed and objective analysis of the selected models against each element, 22 questions have been established. The findings show that while some authors have focused on abstract models that support companies in establishing a vision and concepts for (more) sustainable products and services, others offer more instrumental approaches to guide the different phases of design. On the level of the building blocks, there is a considerable alignment of the models with the analytical framework; the detailed mechanisms and processes for implementation, however, vary a lot. Overall, difficulties related to developing a sustainability vision that guides the design for sustainability process, co-creating with stakeholders and harmonizing environmental, social and economic criteria were identified. The social dimension of design for sustainability is still poorly established and tackled in a multi-level, non-systemized way. The paper concludes with promising research directions focusing on design for sustainability.