A framework to encourage step-change reduction in environmental impact in the creation of electronics products

This paper outlines a framework that attempts to guide the designer toward changes that allow for step rather than incremental or conditional reduction in environmental impact. This framework takes as its starting point step 3, alternative fulfillment of function, of the Brezet-Cramer-Stevel (BCS) ladder in the consideration of a candidate product, process or service. Testing of the framework over a range of innovations in environmental projects including products from the information technology and telecommunications sectors is presented. The test candidates for the framework have been selected from relevant literature and results have been assessed and guided by a set of five criteria with considerations given to biological and eco-system impact, energy and materials resource consumption, legal, social and cost issues.