Framework for systematic evaluation of life cycle strategy by means of life cycle simulation

In this paper, a framework of evaluation of the product life cycle in closed loop manufacturing is discussed. The framework provides a procedure to organize a system of environmental indicators and to carry out the evaluation in the process of designing product life cycles in closed loop manufacturing. For constructing the system of indicators, a structured set of basic indicators is proposed. It consists of "goal" indicators and "measure" indicators. The measure indicators are related to the life cycle options, which are selected according to the product life cycle strategy represented by the goal indicators. The relationship between two sets of indicators can be analyzed by means of life cycle simulation combined with life cycle assessment. The paper also presents an illustrative example of constructing a system of indicators and the analysis of the product life cycle of mobile phones by means of life cycle simulation. This example indicates complex relations between the goal indicators and the measure indicators and, therefore, implies that life cycle simulation is quite useful for supporting the life cycle design.