Toaster

PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

TOASTER DM SUSTAINAB;E DESIGN 1314932 CHIH-YU, LO

CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1.1. Aim 1.2. Product Description 2. Identification of Product Life Cycle 2.1. Component 2.2. CES Software Analysis 2.3. SimaPro Software Analysis 2.4. Comparison 3.

3.1.

3.2.

3.3.

Human Needs Analysis Human Needs Met Identify the existing problems Suggestions and critically analysis

4. Redesign Product 4.1. Redesign Proposal 4.2. Sketch 4.3. Software Analysis 5. Conclusion 6. References

Introduction 1.1. Aim In this assignment, toaster will be criticized and analysed by SimaPro software and CES software to figure general and criticise issue out. The issue indicate that analysis of toaster from Eco audit tool would be leaded recommendation and suggestion for improvement in the redesign stage.

1.2. Product introduction  Background At present, “international trends are demonstrating that concepts and tools such as design for environment, life-cycle assessment and extended producer responsibility are here to stay.” (Gertsakis, 2001) Those trends are significantly becoming key facts for forward-thinking company. Even through toaster is a small and compact product, it has responsibility to maintain environment friendly.

C o m m o n l y, b r e a d i s o n e o f b r e a k f a s t w h i c h p e o p l e w o u l d e a t e v e r y m o r n i n g : toaster is generally used kitchen appliances to bake bread in the world. It is a small and sententious product, and would not expensive to purchase. Therefore, it would be necessary to analysis this product. Nowadays, there are 3 kinds of toasters; pop-up, toaster oven, and toaster conveyor. In this assignment, the chosen toaster is the pop-up type.

The image of Argos Toaster.

 Description of chosen toaster The pop-up toaster is a cheap China mass production item from Argos. The input power is 800 watts. The cases which separate top and base case with four screws to fix them are made from polypropylene (PP), the stainless Steel base is embedded in base case which is used to clean crumbs. Toaster bracket is made up of many different components and materials; those components include toaster loader top, base Plate, holder support wires, wall and shelf which are made from stainless Steel, steel and aluminium. The heating components are made of nichrome wire and mica.

The reason why I choose Argos Toaster that is a typical pop-up toaster which people use it daily; however, it still has many issues that need to discuss. According to social and

technology changes, function and producing need to fit the criteria of human needs and environment friendly. As the Consequence, I consider that Argos Toaster is a good simple to analysis and redesign it. In the redesign process, I will focus on reducing material and adding social need.

2. Identification of Product Life Cycle 2.1. Components In this case, Argos Toaster is composed of 14 different components which include plastic case, circuit board and toaster bracket‌‌etc.

2.2. Cambirdge Eco audit Analysis

In the use phase, Argos Toaster comprises 62% of impact factor for energy footprint and 59 % for CO2 footprint which both are the first high impact. The results are by reason of long product life (5 years) and high usage (3 minute per day).

The material part is the second high impact. As the chats show which account for 38% in energy and 40% in CO2 consumption. In this product, it has over 14 components and 7 materials, which make energy consumption to become the second high impact in material phase. More component and material point out more energy would be consumed.

The particularly interesting facts are Disposal and EoL potential. The Disposal is 0.47 MJ which occupies 0.1% in energy consumption and the End of life potential is -24 MJ. The materials of Argos Toaster can be recycled that is the main reason why it only consume 0.47MJ in the disposal. The EoL potential can be investigated by specifying a percentage recovered for each material specified, which mean that using more recycling material would save more unnecessary energy consumption in manufacture process.

2.2.1. Identify the impact of components In this table chart, it shows the breakdown of each material. It could be realized that circuit board is the largest energy and CO2 consumption with 270MJ and 20kg. The reason is that circuit

board has complex process in manufacture. Secondly, the toaster’s case which is the greatest material in the toaster account for 26MJ energy consumption and 0.82kg CO2.

The advantages of CES tool are that user can realized each material and component would consume how much energy and CO2. Also, it is easy comprehensibility and operation than SimaPro. 2.3. SimaPro Software Analysis The SimaPro software provides different view of impact factors from CES tool. The elements of SimaPro software contain consumption of various sectors, such as carcinogens, climate change, ecotoxicity, resp. organics, radiation and fossil fuel……etc. Those sectors could help me recognize the impact factors of environment clearly.

The use phase, the result of SimaPro is as the same as CES tool, it both has the highest impact factor by far. It is without wonderment as consumers use Argos Toaster once or twice a day. The high utilization would make a sense of result.

The material and manufacture part is the second high impact factor as CES tool. However, it can be seen the diversity between the result of CES tool in this chart. The chart provides several environmental damages that can be a clue for design to discuss how material would influence surrounding. The red colour which expresses carcinogens is the largest impact of this category.

In the single souse of SimaPro analysis, it shows similar result of CES tool. The transport and disposal are also low impact. The reason by the mess of Argos toaster is light, also most material can be recycled.

The bar-chart displays the characterisation of Argos Toaster. It is quite clear indication that what environmental damages are harmed heavily. The greatest damage is minerals in the material phase with 95 percentages. The result can be explained that the most materials of product are made from minerals. The eco-toxicity is also a remarkable factor which has 75 percentages impact. The chart shows damage assignment below. This product has largest effect of ecosystem and human health in the material part.

2.3.1. Identify the impact of components.

In this diagram, the circuit board has the most impact of those environmental damages, moreover, the highest impact of circuit board is carcinogens which is noxious for human health.

The second of all is the case of toaster which has greatest fossil fuel due to the material of case (PP).

This product is mostly made from metal with 60 percentages, and the stainless steel (Toaster bracket) account for 150g weight which is the second largest material in the toaster. In this chart it shows several damages which are eco-toxicity Resp. inorganic mineral. It could be remarkable to redesign it.

The advantages of SimaPro software is that user can compare the environmental impact of each material. Furthermore, it also provides flow model of process. Those benefits help user follow environment issues and redesign products easily.

The flow model shows on the right side, as it can be seen, the highest energy consumption occur in the use phase with over 60%. In the material part, the circuit board consumes most energy in the material part.

Network 2.4. Comparison In this paragraph, I will summarize some different points between CES tool and SimaPro analysis software.

After using two different LCA tool analysis the same product, there conclude some points. The most distinction between them is that one of them focus on environmental impacts, another can clearly realize how much energy of material could be consumed. SimaPro software is the full life cycle assignment tool which provide complex database, CES tool is quite simple software. There have some strengths and weaknesses about CES and SimaPro below.

Strength of SimaPro  Providing enough clues of environmental impacts  It has visible process tree which can perceive efficiently.  It is flexibility to display, user can choose sectors what they want, such as characterisation, single source, weight. Moreover, it also can show the table chart of those sectors.

Strength of CES tool

 It would not take too long to complete analysis, such as users do not spend too much to choose the process and the speed of output is quick than SimaPro.  It comprehends the energy and CO2 consumption of each component quickly.  Each material can choose the option of own disposal and adjust percentage removed and recover.

Weaknesses of SimaPro  It is not easy to look for material and process.  Some of material cannot find and analysis.

Weaknesses of CES tool  It cannot visible several environmental damages.  It need to know the model of materials, however, some materials of product could not catch simply.

3. Human Needs Analysis 3.1. Human Needs Met Don Norman (2005) indicate that “Aesthetically pleasing objects appear to the user to be more effective, due to the affinity the user feels for an object that appeals to them, due to the formation of an emotional connection with the object.” Nowadays, user not only interest in function, but also thought for appearance and emotion. Norman’s theory figure out users could not satisfy one function, their will thought for their requirement from user’s experience. The function of product is only a basic need for user, when users gratify their requirement they will reach more high level needs. As the result, what else element could be Maslow’s hierarchy of needs met (1954) and applied to redesign.

This is a graph which shows what human needs are met by the toaster.

3.2. Identify the existing problems In this phase, I will summarize the existing problem of Argos Toaster which base on the result of LCA software and user’s experience. Moreover, I will use those existing problems to lead the eco improvements and suggestions. The problems of toaster are:  Material and Components As you can be seen, the results have shown on Chapter 2. The fundamental problems of material are that would cause several environmental damages. In addition, Argos Toaster consists of 14 components with different material which consume numerous mineral and the energy of manufacture process.  Function and usability The main problem of Argos Toaster is without crumb tray which uses to collect bread crumbs and make it clean easily. Also, there has a situation that toaster sometimes would not pop-up. The Polypropylene cases could be broken easily.  Human needs which base on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs In, it can notice that some of toaster’s functions do not fit human needs. The central issue is social hierarchy, toaster always put on the corner of kitchen which could be an opportunity to add value in this stage. Furthermore, the health phase is also an issue that designers need to consider it. The case of toaster is made of PP which generates some toxoid.

3.3. Suggestions and critically analysis In this part, I will stand on the outcome of existing problems to display suggestion and improvements, and use the RADAR to double check the priority of redesign.

The RADAR graphic displays six different directions, and each direction has different suggestions and eco improvements.

Material reduction As I mention before, there have 14 components in Argos toaster. Using less material procure the proposal.  Strengths: 1. It can reserve source of metal and energy in manufacture phase.

2. It can save place of storage.  Weaknesses: 1. It could be conflict function and efficiency.

Energy reduction If it is possible to decrease the number of component, it could lessen unnecessary energy consumption and use secondary (recycle) material could deplete energy than virgin material in the manufacture process. Furthermore, it can supplant nichrome, which is the heating component of Argos Toaster, to metal heating tube.

 Strengths: 1. Lessening unnecessary energy consumption.  Weaknesses: 1. It could make high costs.

Toxicity reduction/ Environment friendly In the case, it can replace some high toxicity material, such as stainless steel to low-alloy steel. In addition, if it is possible to use low environmental impact and specify use of recycled materials.  Strengths: 1. It benefits environment and human health.  Weaknesses: 1. The technology could not be achieved.

2. It could make high costs.

Product life optimisation a. Design for behaviour and social Change The social phase is the weak point when I analysis Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. However, toast is a well-known food that most people will eat in the morning. In my opinion, it would be a breakthrough point for redesigning. In addition, it can combine other functions, such as using thermal energy to fry eggs when consumers bake toasters. b. Emotionally durable design W h at k i n d o f b e h av i o u rs wo u l d a p p e a l w h e n co n s u m e rs u s e to a ste r ? N o wa d ays , consumer will prefer muti-function to one function product, furthermore, designer should consider user’s emotional connection through Don Norman’s theory. People have plenty stress in the present era. They would expect that have happy mood when they wake up. As the result, designer can reflect those emotional connections to redesign toaster.  Strengths: 1. It can extend the product life.

2. Changing user’s behaviour could save energy.  Weaknesses: 1. It could spend extra costs and energy consumption.

4. Redesign Product 4.1. Redesign Proposal

The redesign proposal is established from the previous analysis and use the RADAR tool to discuss which sectors are need to consider deeply.

The proposal will follow these principles:  Reduce components and materials In the material and manufacture phase, the Argos Toaster has various components and materials. First of all improvements, cutting down some unnecessary components advance energy consumptions and environmental damages. Secondly, choosing low impact materials replace high impact material which will base on the result of Ecofys Consultancy.  Design for behaviour change According to LCA software analysis, the first task would reduce using circuit board; the function of circuit board is to control time. As the result, it could change behaviour. Moreover, it may add some values for emotional connection; users could want cook breakfast quickly.

4.1. Sketch

4.2. Software Analysis Using mass properties from Solidworks software measure the weight of the redesign toaster, there has the result of SimaPro software below.

Redesign toaster

Argos toaster

 Overall In the use phase, it could not reduce too much energy consumption (from 3.5pt to 3.2pt), the main reason is the power which is quite similar between the original and redesign (800w and 700W).

Moreover, the energy consumption of fry eggs or bacon does not show on the result, otherwise, it would reduce more consumption. However, the redesign toaster lessen more energy in material stage from 2 to 1.4 pt.

Redesign toaster

Argos toaster

 Environmental Impact The bat-chart display the each sector of environmental damage, as it can be seen, the redesign toaster reduce most damage expect Resp. inorganics by reason of using more steel.

5. Conclusion In this assignment, firstly, LCA analysis software can learn about environmental impact of material, and comprehend the features of material which are about the manufacture and recycle stages from lectures and Journal. Secondly, RADAR tool which have been used in class is the great to apply LCA assignment in redesign stage. Using RADAR tool would realize which sector is priority. Furthermore, PSS design criteria tool make me to think what kinds of direction can optimize this product.

Even the results of redesign could not resolve each environmental impacts, this assignment is a great way to make think how I can use those eco-design sectors to promote this product better.

6. References John Gertsakis, 2001. Design + Environment: A Global Guide to Designing Greener Goods. Edition.

Greenleaf.

White, P., St-Pierre, L., Belletire, S. & Industrial Designers Society of America. Ecodesign Section 2007, Okala: learning ecological design, Ecodesign Section of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Phoenix, AZ. Maslow's hierarchy of needs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2014. Maslow's hierarchy of needs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_ hierarchy_of_needs. [Accessed 11 April 2014].

David, H., Fabrizio, C., (2014). Sustainable design, Brunel University Schmidt, Jannick H. , 2010. Database Manual EU & DK Input Output Database. Documentation of the data consolidation and calibration exercise, and the scenario parameterisation., [Online].

Deliverable n° 6-1, 227. Available at: http://www.pre-sustainability.com/download/manuals/ DatabaseManualEU-DKIODatabase.pdf [Accessed 15 April 2014].

Making Sustainability Measurable | PRé Sustainability. 2014. Making Sustainability Measurable | PRé Sustainability. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.pre-sustainability.com/. [Accessed 15 April 2014].

Don Norman, 2005. Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things. 1 Edition. Basic Books.

Assessing the environmental potential of clean material technologies. 2014. [ONLINE] Available at: http://ftp.jrc.es/EURdoc/EUR20515ENannexes.pdf. [Accessed 22 April 2014].