Furniture Product Eco-Design Based on Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify the environmental impacts associated with furniture products’ life cycle, and to explore Life Cycle Assessment’s role in eco-design. The goal was to overcome any misconception of focusing solely on materials innovation in eco-design practice. Three furniture products made up of different materials (paper, plastic, and mixed materials) were assessed using product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology with Simapro 9.1.1.1 software and the Ecoinvent 3.5 database. The process followed a defined scope and objectives, with inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation of results. The study’s quantitative environmental data revealed that eco-design should extend beyond a focus on material renewability and recyclability, traditionally prioritized by designers. It highlighted the importance of prioritizing furniture product life extension, material reduction, and energy reduction, though with varying degrees of priorities. In addition, the data served as a basis for proposing targeted eco-design improvement strategies. The paper concluded that quantitative product environmental data obtained from the product LCA can provide a clear reference for eco-design, which is of great importance in reducing the adverse environmental impact of products.