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Optimizing green design using ant colony-based approach

  • LCA FOR MANUFACTURING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
  • Published:
The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

In response to the increasing concerns on the environmental conservation and energy saving, manufacturers are more aware of proving the ‘green’ performance of their products. Some qualitative eco design tools are used to support the development of greener products; however, most of these tools require subjective judgement during the evaluation processes. This paper is therefore to propose an alternative approach that is objective, systematic and efficient, by integrating the ant colony optimization (ACO) and life cycle assessment (LCA), to facilitate the decision-making process.

Methods

The proposed integrative LCA-ACO approach aims to support the simultaneous thorough evaluations of multiple design options. A sequence of options of the lowest corresponding environmental impact value can be obtained. A case application example of various design combinations is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.

Results and discussion

The proposed approach offers decision makers a preliminary fast-track approach for screening decisions without lengthy processes of LCA studies. This approach helps the decision makers, especially during the early design selection stages, identifying the most appropriate design combination from the environmental perspective. The proposed approach is proved a significant contribution to the field of LCA and green product design.

Conclusions

Since full-scale LCA studies require significant effort in data collection processes and experts for result interpretations, it would be time consuming and costly to conduct a full-scale LCA during early product development processes. The proposed approach offers a more convenient way for decision makers to assess multiple design options regarding the environmental considerations. The case example presented in this paper proves the practicality of the proposed approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, The Open University of Hong Kong, Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong

    C. Y. Ng, S. S. Lam & Samuel P. M. Choi

  2. School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

    Kris M. Y. Law

Authors
  1. C. Y. Ng
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  2. S. S. Lam
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  3. Samuel P. M. Choi
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  4. Kris M. Y. Law
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Correspondence to C. Y. Ng.

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Responsible editor: Zuoren Nie

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Ng, C.Y., Lam, S.S., Choi, S.P.M. et al. Optimizing green design using ant colony-based approach. Int J Life Cycle Assess 25, 600–610 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-019-01717-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-019-01717-4

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