Product sustainability aims to minimize a product\u2019s environmental and societal impacts through its design, sourcing, production, and lifecycle. Approximately 80% of a product\u2019s carbon footprint<\/a> is determined in the early design stages.<\/p>\n Manufacturers can achieve sustainable manufacturing<\/a> with solutions like Design for Sustainability<\/a>. It supports a more environmentally friendly product, reducing material and energy waste while lowering CO2. Not just the product itself but the product\u2019s entire lifetime emissions must be evaluated for emissions, which are also determined in the early design stage. For example, although electric cars produce fewer emissions during use, they require additional carbon-intensive materials in the battery.<\/p>\n Another consideration is how product materials and production are sourced. A product truly isn\u2019t sustainable if your suppliers are not. Additionally, some raw materials can actually contribute to a higher carbon footprint, such as cutting down natural or endangered woods and mining in areas that compromise the ecology. Moreover, the various ways suppliers and manufacturers produce parts or assemblies can drive up energy usage and material waste. Alternative materials and processes, such as additive manufacturing<\/a>, can help reduce limited resources and high CO2 process dependencies.<\/p>\n Consider implementing the following when developing more sustainable products:<\/p>\n Creating sustainable products is not a one-step process. It requires a holistic approach \u2013 from design and sourcing to production and delivery.<\/p>\n What can manufacturers do to ensure sustainability and\u00a0substantiate<\/em>\u00a0their efforts? Traceability and transparency can address both. aPriori can help manufacturers achieve both and mitigate inadvertent greenwashing. Here are a few ways how:<\/p>\n aPriori\u2019s four-stage sustainability maturity model<\/a> integrates traceable green practices into manufacturing while balancing profitability and environmental impact. This framework guides manufacturers toward environmental stewardship using AI-powered design and sourcing insights as well as production choices. Equally important, it provides them with transparent and auditable reporting to meet compliance standards.<\/p>\n In 2015, the United Nations (UN) moved to stem high carbon emissions with the Paris Agreement. The UN provides businesses with\u00a0a voluntary checklist and guidance<\/a>\u00a0for reducing CO2e.<\/p>\n Others, such as the European Union (EU) and, most recently, the Biden Administration, have followed. The EU put its\u00a0Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive<\/a>\u00a0into effect in January 2023.\u00a0They also enacted a carbon tax<\/a>\u00a0designed to level the playing field.\u00a0The EU also introduced taxonomy<\/a>, a classification system defining the criteria for economic activities aligned with net-zero goals by 2050 and environmental goals outside the climate change scope.<\/p>\n The Biden Administration has made various commitments and investments to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 50% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Recently, the administration introduced\u00a0New Principles for High-Integrity Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs)<\/a>. Among the principles are that carbon credits and the activities generating them meet credible atmospheric integrity standards and reflect actual decarbonization. Several\u00a0California sustainability regulations<\/a>\u00a0will be enforced in 2026.<\/p>\n More sustainable products not only reduce our carbon footprint but improve our lives and those of future generations. Here are some compelling reasons to create more sustainable products:<\/p>\n Product sustainability aims to minimize a product\u2019s environmental and societal impacts through its design, sourcing, production, and lifecycle. Approximately 80% of a product\u2019s carbon footprint is determined in the early design stages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-64699","glossary","type-glossary","status-publish","hentry","no-post-thumbnail"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Should We Consider When Developing Sustainable Products?<\/h2>\n
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How Can We Avoid Greenwashing?<\/h2>\n
What Are Some Sustainability Requirements?<\/h2>\n
What Are the Benefits of Product Sustainability?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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