Title: The development of an ecodesign product – the ecomouse case study

Authors: Felicitas Schneider, Stefan Salhofer, Andreas Schiffleitner, Marek Stachura

Addresses: BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Institute of Waste Management, Muthgasse 107, A-1190 Vienna, Austria. ' BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Institute of Waste Management, Muthgasse 107, A-1190 Vienna, Austria. ' KERP Centre of Excellence Electronics and Environment, Meldemannstrabe 18/4, A-1200, Vienna, Austria. ' KERP Centre of Excellence Electronics and Environment, Meldemannstrabe 18/4, A-1200, Vienna, Austria.

Abstract: In a KERP (Centre of Excellence Electronics and Environment) – BOKU (University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna) cooperation, the aim is to develop and assess an ecodesign product (electronics product). As a widely used, comparable and simple product, a wireless computer mouse is chosen as a demonstration product for ecodesign. The targets of the newly developed product (the |ecomouse|) contain a cabinet made of renewable resources, a new energy concept that replaces batteries and uses lead-free soldering technology now required by the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) directive. The different alternatives of these three main parts are analysed and compared. The alternatives with the best results are examined in a streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). As a result of the LCA, the ecological impacts of the ecomouse are shown in comparison to the conventional computer mouse.

Keywords: ecodesign; electronics products; life cycle assessment; LCA; wireless computer mouse; case study; renewable resources; lead-free soldering; double layer capacitors; DLC; industrial ecology; product design; green manufacturing; environmental manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2008.018546

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2008 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.102 - 123

Published online: 30 May 2008 *

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