Eco-efficiency

( Article Type: Explanation )

Eco-efficiency describes the ecological efficiency of goods and services. This is done by measuring their economic price, including their consumer demand and monetary cost, along with checking it against its production or manufacturing successes in:

•  reducing environmental impact
• improving quality of life and
• lessening overall negative environmental impact on the earth.

The higher or better the eco-efficiency ratio of the goods and services, the less the negative environmental impact and the lower the use and abuse of natural resources.

Manufacturers must be encouraged to improve eco-efficiency by using Life Cycle Assessment and other environmental evaluation tools such as:

•   environmental auditing
•  environmental impact assessment and
• sustainable design theory.