Enhancing eco-efficiency of the kitchen furniture by using eco-design

Abstract

        This research illustrates an enhancing eco-efficiency of kitchen furniture product by using the Ten Golden Rules for Eco-Design. The primary data of energy consumption and materials used entire the product life cycle were gathered. The greenhouse gas emissions entire the product life cycle were then evaluated in the unit of kilogram carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2 eq.). The evaluated data were analyzed and combined with the Ten Golden Rules for Eco-Design concept in order to develop the new model of Green kitchen furniture. The eco-efficiency of Green kitchen furniture design was assessed and compared with the old kitchen furniture design. It can be seen that the Green kitchen furniture can reduce the greenhouse gas emission in the raw material stage 33.73 kg CO2 eq., manufacturing stage 29.22 kg CO2 eq., end of life stage 0.42 kg CO2 eq. Moreover, 31.9% of recyclable materials were replaced. These leads to the 6,657 baht of cost reduction and 1.46 times of eco-efficiency increase. The results from this study demonstrated the balancing between economic and environmental dimensions, which was carried out by the implementation of product eco-design concept. It was very useful for the further environmentally product development, market competitiveness, and sustainability consumption.