title: EcoWorx, Green Engineering principles in practice.
abstract: The 12 Principles of Green Engineering have been proposed as a framework within which to examine existing products and guide their redesign as well as to evaluate new product designs. The EcoWorx system represents a recyclable carpet tile product that is assessed using the 12 Principles of Green Engineering and cradle-to-cradle design principles to evaluate environmental, qualitative, and economic performance as compared to existing Shaw carpet tile products. The product design strategy embodies life cycle considerations of a cradle-to-cradle product that puts technical nutrient recovered materials into repeated use. EcoWorx offers a unique opportunity for Shaw to utilize the 12 Principles to analyze and optimize new products and processes for the additional capacity needed to meet rising demand for sustainable carpet products. The analysis of the EcoWorx system demonstrated the value of the 12 Principles in verifying and formalizing the experience and intuition of product designers. This suggests that the mistrial and error reliance on experience could be enhanced with this formalized approach and hence lead to more widespread success of design practices that result in sustainable products.
authors.affiliation: Shaw Industries, PO Box 429, Cartersville, Georgia 30120, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffery W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Segars
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bradfield
authors.forename: Jeffery J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Realff
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003363:Cost Control; D004738:Engineering; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings / Q000191:economics; D007221:Industry; D008422:Materials Testing; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D013597:Systems Analysis