Comparison of major environmental performance metrics and their application to typical electronic products

Various performance metrics have been developed to evaluate quantitatively the environmental impact of products, processes and activities. In recent years much attention has been given to developing a stronger scientific basis for comprehensive environmental performance metrics. Eco-indicator 95, Eco-indicator 99, Ecological Footprints, and EcoPro developed by Lucent Technologies in collaboration with MERC at NJIT, are four environmental performance metrics representing this group. This paper compares the scientific implications, implementation framework, and relative performance of these metrics using various electronic products as case studies. Since each metric is based on different methodological structures, weighting techniques, and assumptions, the absolute magnitude of the output cannot be compared; however, in the context of assessments for competing products with equivalent functionality, the final results can be examined on a relative basis.