Ecodesign Web

The Ecodesign Web was adapted by Dr. Vicky Lofthouse and Dr. Tracy Bhamra, Loughborough University (2003) from the LiDS wheel originally developed by van Hemel, C. (1998)

The Ecodesign Web uses the life-cycle thinking in identifying areas of improvements of a product. It is a qualitative assessment tool that only require the user to rank the product in each life cycle stage as 'very good', 'good', 'ok', 'bad', 'very bad’ and produce a web chart that tells the potential area of improvement. Though simple, it is an effective tool to improve communication of problems, encourage brainstorming and provide direction of solution in a quick way. The results can also be used in comparing products and outline redesign targets

The Ecodesign Web compares the product in 7 areas i.e:-

  1. Material Selection
  2. Material Usage
  3. Distribution
  4. Use
  5. Lifetime
  6. End of Life
  7. New Way of Doing It

The steps in using the Ecodesign Web are:-

  1. For each point on the Ecodesign Web chart consider how good or bad the product of evaluation is.
  2. Give the product a relative measure in each point as 'very good', 'good', 'ok', 'bad', 'very bad’ and put a cross on the chart
  3. You may write down notes (justification/ constraints/ reasons) around the chart as you carry out the assessment.
  4. Join up the crosses and shade the area inside the line to show the product's performance.
  5. Set a target to aim for in each area and mark it on the chart in a different colour.
  6. For each point on the Ecodesign Web list down a number of improvement options on the worksheet

You may also download the Ecodesign Web below for your own product assessment.

Ecodesign Web Chart

Followed by the assessment, record the improvement plan on the improvement worksheet below. You may refer to the Life Cycle Strategies Manual for some improvement ideas.

Ecodesign Improvement Options Worksheet