The Eco-Innovation project
In partnership with the Innovative Design & Manufacturing Research Centre at Bath University Faculty of Engineering and Design
In 2006 ENVIRON and the Engineering Innovative Design & Manufacturing Research Centre (IdMRC) at the University of Bath began a collaborative research project to develop design tools which can support the early stages of eco-innovation. The tools will assist companies to gain competitive advantage by helping them design more innovative and sustainable products with significantly reduced environmental life cycle impacts.
Your opportunity to participate
We are now looking for design and manufacturing companies in the electronics industry to participate in the eco-innovation project. Companies who join the project will receive:
- one-day visit to your company to develop an in-depth understanding of your current design practices and business requirements.
- one day workshop at your company to introduce 5 eco-innovation tools to your design team.
- guidance and support to help you apply the eco-innovation tools within one of your ongoing design projects.
- invitation to a seminar held in Bath to evaluate the effectiveness of the tools and review the success of the project.
Benefits to participants
Participation in this research project is FREE of charge and will help your company:
- generate ideas for your own eco-innovation projects.
- benchmark your environmental and innovation performance against the other participating companies.
- take a proactive approach to environmental pressures.
- understand how to use eco-innovation tools effectively.
- shape the development of new tools and approaches.
About the Innovative Design & Manufacturing Research Centre
Located within the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Bath University, the IdMRC carries out world-leading research into the design and manufacture of machines, systems and processes. The collaborative project with ENVIRON is part of ongoing research into the information needs for designers to enable sustainable product design and disruptive innovation. It is linked into a £5.5-million UK research programme in knowledge and information management for innovative product-service systems.
Timescales for Action
The initial one-day visits will begin in May 2008. The workshops to introduce selected eco-innovation tools to your company and support the application of the tools within one of your ongoing design projects will be delivered between May and July 2008. The round-up seminar to evaluate the effectiveness of the eco-innovation tools and share lessons-learnt with other participating companies will be held in Bath in September 2008.
Apply to Join
Six companies will be selected to participate in this project. No EcoDesign or eco-innovation experience is required. Preference will be given to companies that have UK-based design offices.
Current Participants
Please contact Dr Aidan Turnbull with your details, a brief description of your products and your interest in the project, and the location of your design offices
For further information, please contact Dr Aidan Turnbull
Head of WEEE, RoHS & EcoDesign on +44 (0)1225 748420
