Environmental Design Industrial Template (EDIT): a software tool for analysis of product retirement

Concurrent Engineering is an engineering design philosophy in which all aspects of a productʹs life-cycle from production to retirement are considered simultaneously during the design phase. Design For the Environment is the division of Concurrent Engineering that deals with the environmental effects of the product over its life-cycle and seeks to minimize the damage. In this research, a computer tool called Environmental Design Industrial Template (EDIT) is developed which can evaluate products in design in terms of their end-of-life-cycle effects and is planned to make suggestions on improvement. This tool is based on the principle that economics are often the driving force behind what recycling may or may not happen. The limitations of the prototype and the improvements under way are described.