dorothy maxwell environment policy dept., enterprise...
TRANSCRIPT
“Environmentally Superior ProductsAn Environmental & Business Success Story”
Dorothy MaxwellEnvironment Policy Dept., Enterprise Ireland
EUEB Presidential Meeting, 15 April 2004, Dublin
SUMMARY
Introduce Enterprise Ireland
Irish Environmentally Superior Products (ESP)Initiative to encourage industry to incorporate environment into product &/ service design
• Eco designIncorporate EU Eco-label
Irish Industry ExamplesEnvironmental & Business Benefits
Enterprise Ireland
Assist the development of Irish businessProvision of range of services
– business, technology, marketing, R&D, innovation etc…
EnvironmentClients
– indigenous Irish companies - Ireland and worldwide– > 10 employees
13 offices - Ireland
30 offices - worldwideEurope, USA, Asia Pacific
AimSupport Irish industry to improve their environmental performance
Provide range of environmental supportsInformation, advice, networking
• all environmental issues
Environmental financial supports
www.EnviroCentre.ie
Environment Policy Dept.
Environmentally Superior Products
Support Ecodesign projects in Irish industry
Projects which assess ways to prevent / minimise the environmental impact of products &/ services
WITHOUT compromising its functionality, quality, valueIS technically feasibleIS commercially feasible
“Environmentally Superior Product”
Ecodesign Information, Advice, Networking, Mentoring
Web – www.enterprise-ireland.com/esp• guides, case examples, databases
In person - expertiseEvents- Regional Environmental Industrial Fora
Funds of 50 % of project costs up to maximum of €32,000 per approved company
Irish manufacturing industry SMEs
Environmentally Superior Products
Why?
Significant environmental impacts associated with production & consumption of products e.g.
Resource usagematerials & energy
WasteEnd of Life
• Waste packaging• Waste products
– e.g. cars, electronics goods
Pollution
Why?
Pressure on industry to reduce environmental impacts of products &/ services
Legislation e.g.• Packaging • Vehicles • Electronics • Energy using products
Financial • end of life take back, reuse, recycling, disposal
Market • Supply chain
EcodesignOpportunity to DESIGN OUT environmental problems at source
Typical ESP Project
New concept or existing product &/service
Assess environmental impacts over entire life cycle
RawMaterials
ProductionProcess Distribution Consumption End of Life
Function
Typical ESP Project
Identify opportunities to PREVENT or MINIMISE environmental impacts while still feasible in terms of other product/service requirements e.g.
CostQuality Technical feasibilityMarket RequirementsLegislation/Standards etc.
Typical ESP Project
Product &/ service design is feasible / not feasible
Implement
Number of partners e.g.Company personnel, environmental specialists, industry specialists, suppliers, customers
Process supported by range of tools as relevant (simplified LCA, Eco label specifications etc.)
EU Eco-label & ESP
Every project investigates eco labels relevant to product &/ service
EU Ecolabel & others
Ecological specification
Identify marketing potential
Eco label UsedProduct & Service SectorCommercial/Domestic customersExport markets
Environmentally Superior Products
Range of Environmentally Superior Products & Services
Electronics IT FurnitureReusable, returnable packagingTimberConstruction
Case study brochureCompany examples from ESP participantsRange of industry sectors
IRISH INDUSTRY EXAMPLES
ESP Participants
Redesigned RKE unit:-40% reduction in materials content
• particularly hazardous substances • facilitate dissassembly and recyclability at end of life
Three fold reduction in energy demand
Drivers: WEEE/RoHS, ELV via customer
Quicker & CHEAPER to manufactureSubstantial competitive advantage
EU Environment Awards – Ecodesign winner (2002)
ELECTRONICSComponent for managing Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) in cars
IT
an upgradeable chassis, modular port designRepair/maintenance, upgrade servicesRaw materials chosen to increase reuse/recycling options at end of life
Waste reductionEnergy efficientSame price as competing PCsEU Eco-label for PCs
Computers with an extended operating life
Redesigned chair to:-
extend product lifeupgrade, repair & maintenance servicesreduce waste
raw material components chosen to• facilitate disassembly• increase reuse & recycling options at end
of life
Cost is same as non ESP chair
Environment is marketing feature
Office chair
Furniture
Redesigned cartridge:-reduce components largely to 1 plastic typereusable & recyclable at end of lifebetter functionalityCHEAPER & “cleaner” to manufacture
Substantial competitive advantageMore competitive supplierImproved customers competitive edgeEuropean to Global Supplier
Toner Cartridge for photocopiers
Plastics
Timber
Raw material is waste wood otherwise going to landfillPermited waste wood collection service (non contaminated)
Soil improver mulchEU eco label for soil improversColoring (ornamental/aesthetic)
• No adverse environmental impacts
Recyclable packaging
Award winner - Best New Product 2001, Irish Garden Trade Fair
NuLife - Colour enhanced wood chip garden mulch
Environmentally Superior Products & Services
Reduced Environmental ImpactImproved functionalityCost Savings
Eco-efficienciesCompetitive AdvantageNew business opportunities Improved supplied relationships
CONCLUDE
Incorporating environment into design of products & services
WIN WINEnvironmentBusiness
Eco labeling – 1 element of approach
Environmentally Superior Productswww.EnviroCentre.iewww.enterprise-ireland.com/[email protected]
www.EnviroCentre.ie