What does the Design for the Environment (DfE) program aim to achieve?

The Design for the Environment (DfE) program aims to incorporate health and environmental impacts into product design, which is crucial for creating products that are both functional and sustainable. By considering these factors during the design phase, the program encourages manufacturers to look beyond traditional performance metrics and take into account the life cycle of products. This includes assessing materials used, manufacturing processes, usage, and end-of-life disposal. The goal is to minimize negative environmental impacts and enhance the safety and health aspects of products, ultimately promoting a more sustainable approach to design and manufacturing.

Focusing on manufacturing efficiency or the promotion of environmentally harmful materials would undermine the principles of sustainability that DfE advocates. Similarly, encouraging the use of single-use plastics contradicts the environmental goals of the program, which seeks to reduce waste and promote more eco-friendly alternatives. Thus, the focus of DfE is clearly on integrating health and environmental considerations into the product design process.