ABSTRACT
The need to develop products that minimize damaging effects on the environment has become increasingly evident. Manufacturers have realized that “end-of-the-pipe” solutions to pollution problems are not acceptable-neither from a legal nor from an economic viewpoint [1]. There is thus a need to apply knowledge and innovation right from the beginning of the product development process to create environmentally friendlier products and the associated processes. These processes include extraction of material, processing and manufacturing, transportation, and use and disposal of the product.
