MECO Analysis

The steps to take

Total co-creation time: 2-7 hours.
Setting: Workshops, desktop research and possibly audits

We recommend you to have created a functional unit and conducted a mapping of material flows (e.g. product life cycle mapping or material flow analysis) before taking the following steps:

Step 1: Agree on the scope of the MECO. Is it to gain a preliminary understanding of where in the system different environmental impacts occur? Or is it to make a quantitative screening and to identify hotspots? How precise do you need the screening to be to be comfortable with the results? (1 hour)
Step 2: Allocate and discuss where different environmental impacts happen on the mapping of the material flows with post-its. (2-3 hour)
Step 3: Make the MECO table by splitting the environmental impacts into four categories. Review and discuss the table. Where do the 5 biggest impacts seem to occur (hotspots) and is it something you can change? Is there any field where there seems to occur many environmental impacts? Are you comfortable with the degree of detail to proceed or do you need to quantify the impacts? (2-3 hours)
Step 4 (optional): Quantify the tool if you estimate that you need to quantify the environmental impacts. You can either do it manually for example by following the calculation methods presented in 'Håndbog i miljøvurdering' or use a simplified life cycle tool such as CES Eco Audit.
Step 5: Discuss how you minimise the environmental impacts. What circular design or business strategies will be most effective to minimise the environmental impact?