ABSTRACT
The trend in U.S. industry, and the U.S. EPA, is toward preventing wastes before they are created instead of treating or disposing of them later. An example of the interest by the government is the U.S. Army Strategic Defense Command regulation USASDCR 200-2. This regulation requires an environ mental impact analysis of weapon systems from design through use and disposal. The advancement of ISO 14000 is another example of companies, technical associations, and governments trying to organize a voluntary approach to waste prevention, In international markets this is extremely impor tant. European countries have "green" requirements on products and are expanding the requirements at a rapid rate. This is evident in Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Scandinavian countries, and Great Britain. Asian coun tries, such as Singapore, have also initiated a similar set of programs. Part of a green product and green manufacturing is understanding the total impact and cost the product has on the environment. This means evaluating the total life cycle of a product from raw materials and manufacturing through distri bution, use, and ultimate reuse/disposal (Figure 1-1). That a product has a finite life cycle implies that there are associated costs that go along with it. Examples of these costs are shown below:
• Design costs • Stocking/handling costs • User/operating costs • Disposal costs • Manufacturing costs • Shipping/transportation costs • Reuse/recycle costs
• Compliance/licensing costs This illustrates that the impact on the environment and life cycle costs
are larger than just the manufacturing costs (Figure 1-2). Understanding the life cycle costs will assist the company in finding ways to reduce postmanu-
Figure 1-2. Life cycle cost circle.
