Incorporating Product Design into the pre-planning phase of production is proving to be a progressive and efficient way to address environmental and health concerns before they occur.   The supply chain is an integral link in this process.

Design considerations include:

• Looking to Nature for design models.  
• Reducing the complexity of the production processes 
• Incorporating Life Cycle Analysis into the design process 

In an age of instant information, the consumer actively seeks knowledge about how items are produced and what they contain.  Closing the loop on the flow of raw materials and resources that go into making a product and the amount of waste that is generated at the output phase of production and end-of-life of the product is an important consideration for product design.  In the U.S. the estimated material flow ratio of throughput for actual product is approximately 6 percent.  That means approximately 94 percent of all non-product related throughput of raw materials, energy and resources used is wasted in the process of making the item.

Designing  for the environment, Substituting less toxic alternatives into the Process and creating a product cycle that translates to the creation of Zero Waste all goals and components of a system that is now transforming the world of advanced manufacturing.    Extended Product Responsibility   is also the newest principle to incorporate pollution prevention at the product level.