COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THEORETICAL AND REAL USES OF ECO-DESIGNED LAUNDRY DETERGENTS

DS 68-6: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 11), Impacting Society through Engineering Design, Vol. 6: Design Information and Knowledge, Lyngby/Copenhagen, Denmark, 15.-19.08.2011

Year: 2011
Editor: Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Chen, W.
Author: Chapotot, Emilie; Abi Akle, Audrey; Minel, Stéphanie; Yannou, Bernard
Series: ICED
Section: Design Information and Knowledge Management
Page(s): 370-381

Abstract

Directions for use given by manufacturers of consumer products are often based on ideal conditions of use. However, each user is different and has complex user characteristics which may impact the directions of manufacturers and thus divert a product's primary functions. In this study we therefore propose examining this phenomenon of use in eco-designed laundry detergents. Initially designed to respect the environment, are they always environmentally-friendly in real conditions of use and what factors can reverse their benefits? After a state of the art in eco-designed laundry detergents and major criteria for use, we present the statistical analyses and tests which show the importance of knowing and modelling real uses so as to better design and adapt such products.

Keywords: USER TESTING; USE IN ECO-DESIGN; REAL CONDITIONS OF USE; MODELLING REAL USES

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