Widya Rahmadani Utami, Rosnani Ginting, Ukurta Tarigan

Methods and Frameworks in Sustainable Product Design and Development: A Narrative Literature Review

Introduction

Methods and frameworks in sustainable product design and development: a narrative literature review. Review methods & frameworks (LCA, DfE, Circular Economy) for sustainable product design & development. Reduce environmental impact, boost efficiency, and overcome challenges.

Abstract

This literature review examines the application of methods such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Design for Environment (DfE), Cradle to Cradle (C2C), Biomimicry, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Material Selection (SMS) in Sustainable Product Design & Development (SPDD). This study aims to synthesize existing research on the benefits, challenges, and integration of methods for environmentally sustainable product design through a narrative literature review of academic sources from 2008 to 2025, including textbooks and journals such as the Journal of Cleaner Production. The findings highlight that these methods collectively reduce environmental impacts by up to 70%, enhance resource efficiency, and foster innovation. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, data scarcity, and scalability issues persist. This review argues that an integrated framework combining LCA, DfE, and Circular Economy effectively mitigates these barriers by streamlining data requirements and optimizing long term cost efficiency through proactive design. Consequently, this integrated approach offers optimal outcomes for sustainable product development while supporting global regulations. Future research should prioritize empirical studies and interdisciplinary collaboration to further bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical application.

Review

This narrative literature review provides a timely and comprehensive examination of key methods and frameworks pertinent to Sustainable Product Design and Development (SPDD). By synthesizing research on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Design for Environment (DfE), Cradle to Cradle (C2C), Biomimicry, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Material Selection (SMS), the paper effectively delineates their individual and collective roles in fostering environmentally sustainable products. The chosen timeframe (2008-2025) ensures a contemporary perspective, capturing recent advancements and emerging trends in this crucial field. The study's objective to clarify benefits, challenges, and integration strategies is highly relevant given the increasing global imperative for sustainable industrial practices. The review's findings compellingly illustrate the significant positive impacts of these methods, including a reported environmental impact reduction of up to 70%, enhanced resource efficiency, and the fostering of innovation. This quantitative insight, if well-substantiated within the full paper, adds substantial weight to the argument for their widespread adoption. However, the study does not shy away from acknowledging persistent practical challenges, such as high implementation costs, data scarcity, and scalability issues, which often hinder effective application. This balanced presentation of both benefits and obstacles provides a realistic view of the current landscape of sustainable design. Crucially, the review culminates in a strong argument for an integrated framework, specifically advocating for a combination of LCA, DfE, and Circular Economy principles. The abstract suggests this integration is effective in mitigating common barriers by streamlining data requirements and optimizing long-term cost efficiency through proactive design. This proposed framework represents a valuable contribution, moving beyond mere description to offer a potential solution for practical implementation, while also aligning with global regulatory demands. The call for future empirical studies and interdisciplinary collaboration further underscores the paper's practical orientation, highlighting a clear path for bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and real-world application, thereby enhancing the overall impact of sustainable design efforts.

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