VerdEE: a new tool for the adoption of life-cycle assessment in small- and medium-sized enterprises

Paolo Masoni; Emanuela Scimia; Balazs Sara

doi:10.1117/12.417270

9 February 2001 VerdEE: a new tool for the adoption of life-cycle assessment in small- and medium-sized enterprises

Paolo Masoni, Emanuela Scimia, Balazs Sara

Proceedings Volume 4193, Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.417270
Event: Intelligent Systems and Smart Manufacturing, 2000, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Data and time requirements and complex methodological problems of a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are wellknown and discussed. Its application has specific difficulties in Italian Small- and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs) where environmental information is generally dispersed, a short-term problem-oriented environmental management approach is common and dedicated human resources are usually missing. As a consequence, a new procedure specifically designed for SMEs, VerdEE (Verifica dell’Eco-Efficienza - Verification of Eco-Efficiency), was developed and implemented on an interactive CD-ROM. It is based on the following criteria: relying on a life cycle approach; aimed at evaluating the environmental profile of a product and at identifying improvement opportunities; sufficiently simple to be applied in a limited time; containing as much quantitative information as possible to make it usable by a non-expert user. The VerdEE procedure includes four main steps: "Goal and Scope definition"; semi-quantitative "Inventory"; "Check-list"; visualisation of results in "Matrix" and "Target-plot" form. The procedure is supported by an interconnected informative part about advantages of the life cycle approach for SMEs, principles of eco-design and environmental concerns.

Citation Download Citation

Paolo Masoni, Emanuela Scimia, and Balazs Sara "VerdEE: a new tool for the adoption of life-cycle assessment in small- and medium-sized enterprises", Proc. SPIE 4193, Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing, (9 February 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.417270

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