This book describes what happened in the field of EcoDesign at the Consumer Electronics Division (PCE) of Philips Electronics in the years 1993-2008. Fifty stories illustrate the five overlapping stages of its development: Get the facts, stimulate creative thinking, implement and validate, integrate into design and production, and communicate results effectively. EcoDesign has been introduced to PCE through a bottom-up approach with an emphasis on common sense. This ensured a wide acceptance and a strong participation. As a result, EcoDesign turned out to have a significance which went far beyond just environmental improvements. Apart from direct cost reductions, it turned to be an effective concept to critically review decisions taken in the past. In its mature form it has grown into a powerful general management tool. ...

The electronics industry has been dealing with EcoDesign as of the early nineties of last century. There has been a variety of drivers to do so, varying from ethics to complying with (new) environmental legislation. After 25 years a new generation of EcoDesigners has entered the field. This generation operates from the wider sustainability perspective, that is taking apart from environmental also social and economic considerations into account. It is supported by a knowledge base which can be accessed through internet and through smart phones. This is quite a difference compared with the period when EcoDesign started. The scene has therefore changed but many issues to be addressed by EcoDesign have not. The key issues are still energy, materials, packaging and transport, chemical content and recyclability. Making EcoDesign successful in the business is facing similar hurdles as twenty years ago....

1. In what kind of company was EcoDesign being introduced in 1993? 2. EcoDesign inside companies in the Electronics sector. 3. What is EcoDesign? 4. EcoDesign at Philips Consumer Electronics: a special case. 5. The 50 Stories about the development of EcoDesign at Philips Consumer Electronics. 6. Stage 1. Get facts, why are things as they are? 7. Stage 2. Fostering Creativity. 8. Stage 3. Implementation and Validation. 9. Stage 4. Structure. 10. Stage 5. Communication and Green Marketing. 11. Teaching Applied EcoDesign. 12. Looking back and looking forward. ...