Eco-efficiency Evaluation of Modular Design Smartphones

Abstract Modular design which enables exchange or upgrade of only failed components or components with insufficient performance, is a traditional idea to increase eco-efficiency of products and to enhance sustainability of production. Although some products are moving towards the opposite strategy to enclose all the product lifecycle and exclude the possibility of repair and upgrade id individual users, some product concepts are still alive and making efforts to realize the modular concepts. This paper focuses on a such modular design concept of smartphones and proposes a eco-efficiency index that considers users preference on the upgradability of functions and environmental impact of upgradable components which correspond to the functions. Through this effort, the paper clarified which of the smartphone components are suitable for parts exchange and upgrade, in the aspect of eco-efficiency. Finally, the paper concluded that the proposed index is helpful in determining suitable modular design concepts of products.