Ecodesign strategies in Small- and Medium Sized Companies

Sammanfattning: The objective of this study is to find out how and why Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s) practice ecodesign. This problem is investigated by conducting seven qualitative interviews with spokesmen from ecodesigning SME’s in The Netherlands. The motivations for the researched SME’s to practice ecodesign are that there are new business opportunities, that it improves the corporate image, that they have a desire to change production to benefit the environment, and out of (expected) governmental legislation. In this thesis it was found that the researched SME’s get their knowledge to ensure that their products are sustainable firstly from their employees. They also apply the method of trial and error, they consult scientific publications, suppliers, and on sustainability events. The Life Cycle Assessment was the only scientific method or tool that was used by the businesses of the respondents. The benefits of practicing ecodesign for the SME’s are that the demand for ecodesigned products is growing, that it improves the corporate image of the company, that it improves business to business relations, that it increases the loyalty of employees to their businesses through working on values that are important to them, and that it provides a new base for innovative ideas. Obstacles to practicing ecodesign seem to be that trade-offs have to be made and that consumers perceive that the ecodesigned products are overpriced.