A protocol to perform usage oriented ecodesign

Abstract Ecodesin strategies only based on technology efficiency have reached a steady state in improving product environmental impacts in use. New solutions should be investigated in order to consider the contribution of the users themselves to the actual environmental impacts of the product during the use phase. This paper presents a protocol to perform usage oriented eco-design. Combining in depth analysis of tasks realization with a more holistic model of the entire use phase, this protocol can support the design activities. An application to an espresso coffee maker illustrates the protocol implementation and show how this protocol contributes to help designers to perform usage oriented ecodesign.