Industry's integration of environmental product design

The IBM approach to environmental product design is discussed. IBM has chosen to focus on the following environmental design attributes: design for ease of disassembly, recycle or reuse at end of product life, use of recycled materials and reused components, manufacture without producing hazardous waste, use of clean manufacturing technologies, reduction of product chemical emissions, reduction product energy consumption, use of recyclable plastics, and use of nonhazardous and recyclable metals. A practical approach to environmentally conscious products is to integrate these design considerations into product development's normal decision processes. In 1991, IBM established the Engineering Center for Environmentally Conscious Products. This center is dedicated to providing the necessary research that will promote the use of environmental design attributes. Much of its current effort has been in the areas of component reuse and material recycling.<>