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DfE workshops are a platform for cross- functional team members to come together and brainstorm on how we can make more environmentally friendly products. The participants are from various teams ranging from marketing and design to engineering. I have seen that the most innovative ideas come from the most unexpected places during the DfE sessions.
Aleen Kujur Manager-Sustainable Design Engineering
Environmentally Friendly Products
At the core of our efforts to reduce Kohler's environmental impact is our focus on providing customers with environmentally friendly products and services. Through our Design for Environment (DfE) methodology, we design new products and services with sustainability in mind, focusing on reducing environmental impacts through all stages of the product life cycle. We designate products as Positive by Design
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internally after they go through the DfE process and have proven there can be a positive impact in one of the four key impact categories. To support sustainable innovation in our product development efforts, we also created the Innovation for Good incubator focused on creating new business opportunities that address some of the most pressing environmental problems related to safe water, safe sanitation, and reliable power globally. DfE starts with simple questions including:
How can we make design changes with the least environmental impact? Can we use renewable materials without compromising product quality? Can we decrease the water flow rate of the product without any change in user experience? Can we increase the duration between maintenance intervals? Will using more sustainable materials impact the product design, function, or aesthetics?
Design for Environment
Our DfE methodology, which is applied in all Kohler businesses, is a data-driven process that enables us to understand the environmental impact of our products and rethink design aspects accordingly. We have developed a DfE strategy guide and various in-house tools for engineers that not only help to create sustainable products, but also track the resulting environmental impact reductions throughout the life cycle. DfE employs a multicriteria strategy that integrates all aspects of the product from design to supply chain and production through product use and end of life.
GHG Emissions Water Stewardship Waste Management Environmentally Friendly Products Innovation for Good Education and Reporting
I N T R O D U C T I O N B E T T E R P L A N E T B E T T E R C O M M U N I T I E S B E T T E R L I V E S T R A N S P A R E N C Y A P P E N D I X
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