The steps to take

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 Analysis (1 hour):
- 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?

Step 2: Discuss the environmental impacts of the product and allocate the impact to the life cycle stage for which it occurs (2-3 hours)

Step 3: Next, split the environmental impact into the four MECO categories; Materials, Energy, Chemicals, and Others (1hour).

Step 4: Review and discuss the table (2 hours):
- Where do the top 5 impacts seem to occur (hotspots)?

- Is that something that you can change?

Consider if you are satisfied with the degree of detail to proceed or if you need to quantify the impacts.

Step 5 (Optional): Need to quantify the impacts? You can either to it manually by e.g., following the calculation methods presented in ‘Håndbog I miljøvurdering’ or use a simplified Life Cycle Assessment tool e.g. CES Eco Audit.

Step 6: Discuss how you can minimise the environmental impacts. What circular design or business strategies will be most effective to minimise the environmental impacts?

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