We worked with companies to help them understand how to integrate sustainability into the product development process.
This programme created by Landcare Research bought together all the key factors to give five companies a structured opportunity to integrate sustainability enterprise wide.
'Life Cycle Management' (LCM) is defined as the application of life cycle thinking in business. It incorporates the use of environmental management systems, life cycle assessment and other techniques to improve environmental outcomes. In an increasingly environmentally-aware world, a commitment to LCM can provide New Zealand manufacturers with a competitive edge. For others it is simply a ‘license to operate’ as regulatory authorities in Europe, the USA and Japan in particular now expect manufacturers to take greater responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products. LCM also has indirect benefits, such as closer links with upstream suppliers and downstream customers, and improved staff engagement and retention through aligning company values with employees’ personal values.
Locus
has worked on the Design for Environment part of the LCM Programme. Great credit should be given to each of the six companies who have made a huge commitment to be a part of the innaugural programme and take a leadership position.
David Trubridge - Furniture/Object/Lighting
Mastip - Hot Runners/Injection moulding
AHI roofing - Steel Roofing
Verda - Outdoor Living/Timber Products
ACMA - Polyurethane Products/Healthcare
Comvita - Natural Health/Functional Food
"One key finding across all companies was that in the absence of a previously completed life cycle product study...This was not linked to any quantitative information or understanding, but originated from the companies‟ perceptions regarding the environmental significance of transport, or a perceived market concern regarding transport impacts and the potential risk for this to become a trade barrier.... The companies reported comments such as: 'We don‟t know which the most significant environmental issue to focus on is' and, 'We'd like to know which material is the better environmental one'. This lack of detailed life cycle knowledge in all areas was a commonly cited motivation for the companies to join the LCM project. The life cycle studies which will be completed during the LCM programme should provide participant companies with greater clarity on what the key areas for product orientated environmental improvement should be, and deliver a significant input to their overall environmental strategy." Jake McLaren - Principal Consultant (PE Australasia).
(taken from 'Integration of Life Cycle Thinking within Research & Development: A case study of five New Zealand companies')
