Design for environmental quality: reap the benefits of closing the design loop

A blueprint for implementing a design for environmental quality (DFEQ) program in an electronic equipment manufacturing company is presented. The Pitney Bowes DFEQ program goal is to incorporate environmental considerations in the new product development process. The program utilizes a holistic and iterative analysis based on a life cycle inventory (LCI). Pitney Bowes began its DFEQ program in December of 1991 with extensive research of government, industry, and academic activity in design for the environment and life cycle analysis. Benchmarking served as a model to focus this research and guide implementation.<>