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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Products and Services".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 37434

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Diego Castro Fettermann

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Guest Editor

Department of Production Systems Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
Interests: product and service development management; smart product development; statistical modeling and inference; stated preference models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Marcia Elisa Soares Echeveste

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Guest Editor

Departamento de Engenharia de Produção e Transportes, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Interests: new product development; product design; sustainable products; design for six sigma

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the 21st century, there is a rising awareness of the importance of safeguarding the environment and minimizing our impact on the planet. As a result, businesses are being pushed to embrace more sustainable practices in areas such as product design, management, and manufacturing. Companies worldwide increasingly recognize the significance of proactive policies and preventive measures for environmental conservation, encompassing both economic and ecological considerations.

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the innovative solutions that can help minimize the impact of humans on Earth. For this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Product design strategies
New product development practices and tools
Management practices
Manufacturing practices and technologies
Digital technologies and approaches
Resource assessment and plan to minimize its use
Optimization and control of raw resources
Renewable energy
Energy transition
Environmental effects of production

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Diego Castro Fettermann
Prof. Dr. Marcia Elisa Soares Echeveste
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

digital products and services
Industry 4.0
sustainable products and services
product service systems
smart manufacturing
renewable energy

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 1277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Holistic Sustainable Design: Incorporating Change Propagation and Triple Bottom Line Sustainability

by Hossein Basereh Taramsari, Steven Hoffenson and Roshanak Nilchiani

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2274; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052274 - 5 Mar 2025

Viewed by 602

Abstract

Sustainable product design addresses sustainability challenges through product development processes and tools. The number of sustainable design methods has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Still, their adoption is limited, and many of these methods exclusively focus on the environmental impacts of products rather than taking a holistic perspective that includes social and economic sustainability. This research provides a holistic sustainable design framework by integrating change propagation methods and sustainable design tools to enable simultaneous consideration of design parameters’ impacts on the three dimensions of sustainability. A reusable water bottle is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed holistic sustainable design (HSD) framework. A multi-domain matrix (MDM) is used to capture the interdependencies among these design parameters of the product, and then equations are defined to quantify them. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is then automated to evaluate the product’s environmental impacts, and the investigation of its results provides details to identify critical unit processes contributing to the environmental categories. Sensitivity analyses reveal how changes to individual design parameters propagate through the model to influence the three dimensions of sustainability. Ultimately, the designer can select optimal design parameter values to balance environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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18 pages, 6964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Product Waste Resulting from Insufficient Emptiability of Cosmetic Packaging and Its Economic and Environmental Implications

by Michelle Klein, Manfred Tacker and Silvia Apprich

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031056 - 27 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1475

Abstract

The cosmetic industry is an important economic sector with expected growth in the upcoming years and a noticeable trend towards sustainable products and product packaging options. A critical aspect of packaging sustainability is the amount of product residue left in emptied containers, as this contributes to both economic losses for consumers and environmental waste. In this study, the emptiability of different packaging systems for shampoo, hair gel, hand cream, body lotion, face cream, eye cream, and serum is assessed by developing novel testing methods. The results show a significant dependence of emptiability on the packaging system and product properties. While jars and airless pump dispensers retain less than 1% of product residues for hand cream products, pump dispensers’ values of up to 26% were found. These results underline the importance of optimal packaging choices adapted to different products to avoid economic losses for the consumer, environmental impact due to wasted products, and a negative influence on the recyclability of packaging and quality of the recyclate. Manufacturers can use these insights to design packaging that not only reduces leftover product but also aligns with circular economy principles, ultimately lowering environmental impacts and improving consumer satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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23 pages, 2051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Application of a Diagnosis and Evaluation System for Product Safety Management in Manufacturing Companies: A Case Study of Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Companies in Korea

by Seunghyun Ban, Seungmo Yun and Seunghyun Lee

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030913 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 828

Abstract

Product safety is a significant issue, and leading industrialized nations, which are largely based on manufacturing, invest considerable time and resources to address product safety-related challenges. The social issues surrounding product safety can directly impact consumers’ health and safety, and failing to comply with product safety standards or providing inaccurate information to consumers can infringe on consumer rights. Therefore, product safety must be approached as a social issue with broad societal implications, necessitating government efforts to manage and oversee these concerns. Simplifying the complexities of product safety management and developing a systematic evaluation framework at the government level are essential. Product safety is a socially significant issue, and leading industrialized nations, which are largely based on manufacturing, invest considerable time and resources to address product safety-related challenges. This study developed a product safety evaluation framework for manufacturing companies based on Korean consumers’ awareness of product safety. It was designed to comprehensively assess manufacturing companies’ technological, procedural, and perceptual levels from a product safety perspective. A total of 101 companies participated, categorized into 43 electrical product manufacturers, 22 daily goods manufacturers, and 36 children’s product manufacturers. The primary goal of this evaluation framework is to enable companies to conduct self-assessments and ultimately promote a culture of product safety. Additionally, the framework aims to assist the government in establishing a systematic product safety evaluation system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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22 pages, 3790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Sustainable Products and Services: The Influences of Traditional Costumes in Promoting Sustainable Fashion

by Thi-Ha Le, Phuong Dang and Trinh Bui

Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9800; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229800 - 10 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3090

Abstract

Recent research in Sustainability has gained increasing attention within the past years, particularly regarding methods and approaches for designing sustainable products and services to address environmental and societal challenges. However, there has been limited exploration of incorporating cultural materials into the design process, which could enhance the cultural sustainability of products and services. This article aims to investigate the potential of integrating traditional royal costumes into fashion design to foster sustainability values and behaviours in contemporary society. A descriptive study focused on the Nhat Binh robe; a formal dress worn by noblewomen of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945). The findings reveal that this traditional costume is rich in visual elements, offering a wealth of inspiration for fashion designers. However, existing products and services have yet to fully leverage the emotional and visual aspects of this unique cultural material. To creatively and sustainably preserve and promote traditional cultural values, this study proposes a model for incorporating traditional cultural materials into fashion design through co-design activities. This model emphasizes close collaboration between designers, artisans, and fashion consumers, with the goal of safeguarding traditional cultural values while advancing sustainable fashion. By fostering collaboration among them, the model has the potential to encourage a sense of ownership and emotional connection to the products, enriching consumer experiences. It not only addresses existing gaps in the use of cultural elements in fashion design but also positions designers to play a pivotal role in the future of sustainable fashion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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22 pages, 1192 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Smartphone User Interface Experience-Sharing Behavior: Design Perception and Motivation-Driven Mechanisms through the SOR Model

by Jie Gao, Wenjing Jia and Jun Yin

Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156670 - 4 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3913

Abstract

This study investigates user experience (UX) sharing behaviors in the context of smartphone user interface (UI) design, emphasizing their significance for UI enhancement and effective marketing strategies. Grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) framework, we examine how design perception attributes—perceived usability, novelty, enjoyment, and brand image—influence UX sharing, with a spotlight on the mediating role of individual motivation. A quantitative analysis (N = 472), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and mediation analysis were conducted. Our findings confirm that these components can positively impact UX sharing by bolstering personal expectations and self-efficacy in knowledge sharing, with perceived usability being an exception as it unexpectedly showed a negative association with sharing frequency. Moreover, perceived brand image and individual self-expectancy and self-efficacy enhance sharing outcomes. This research enriches our understanding of the strategic importance of user interface (UI) design in the context of smartphones, furnishing empirical grounding for devising sustainable UI design strategies and productive marketing tactics. Consequently, it bears considerable relevance to both theoretical insights and practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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17 pages, 15779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Multisensory Attractiveness of Cosmetic Packaging: A Study of Visual and Tactile Design Elements and Attractiveness Factors

by I-Chen Wang, Yi-Ru Jiang, Yu-Wei Wang and Chun-Ying Li

Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5716; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135716 - 4 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3272

Abstract

The prevalence of e-commerce has led to a significant increase in online shopping among consumers, resulting in a surge in returns due to discrepancies between received products and consumer expectations. To resolve this issue, many retailers resort to disposing of returned items, contributing to wastage and environmental pollution, thereby obstructing the path to environmental sustainability. Understanding consumer expectations during the design phase holds promise for addressing this challenge. While most designers still primarily consider the visual aspect, they often overlook the emotional experiences and overall evaluations emphasized by consumers through tactile sensations during product usage. Therefore, this study employs the Miryoku Engineering approach to explore the visual and tactile attractiveness aspects and elements of cosmetic box designs for young women aged 20–30 in Taiwan. Through Evaluation Grid Method interviews, 4 attractiveness styles, 7 original attractiveness evaluations, and 35 specific conditions were identified. The results show that tactile sensations can compensate for the limitations of visual evaluations when assessing products. Participants with extensive makeup experience tended to evaluate cosmetic boxes based on both visual and tactile sensations, whereas those with moderate makeup experience focused on visual sensations and functionality. The selection of materials that prioritize sustainability and reusability in the design of cosmetic packaging can enhance brand image. In addition, this study elaborates on the visual and tactile aspects of cosmetic box designs that attract young women aged 20–30 in Taiwan. The aim is to provide future designers with insights from this study to meet young consumers’ expectations regarding the tactile and usage experience of cosmetics, thereby addressing the issue of high return rates, achieving the vision of sustainable development, and fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.5. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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19 pages, 5029 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simplicity Matters: Unraveling the Impact of Minimalist Packaging on Green Trust in Daily Consumer Goods

by Yuechun Ding, Xing Meng and Cong Sun

Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 4932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16124932 - 8 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6707

Abstract

This study delves into the complex dynamics of consumer attitudes toward sustainable products, particularly within the fast-moving consumer goods category, highlighting the significant correlation between elegant and minimalist design aesthetics and the establishment of green trust in sustainable product offerings. Interestingly, while visually complex packaging may capture visual attention, it does not generate higher levels of green trust compared to simpler alternatives within the same product category. The findings underscore the importance of simple packaging design in mitigating consumer skepticism toward manipulative intentions and enhancing trust in sustainable products. Furthermore, this research reveals that individuals with higher levels of expertise possess deeper insights in perceiving complexity as a potential form of manipulation, thereby exacerbating skepticism toward sustainable products. In summary, the research outcomes guide sustainable product packaging design, emphasizing alternative solutions to convoluted designs that may lead to confusion. The effectiveness of simple design expression in sustainable products is emphasized, fostering the transition toward sustainable business efficacy and long-term development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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27 pages, 2758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Sustainable Manufacturing for Product Family Architecture in Intelligent Manufacturing: A Hierarchical Joint Optimization Approach

by Yujie Ma, Xueer Chen and Shuang Ma

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2727; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072727 - 26 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1348

Abstract

As consumers and governments prioritize cost-effectiveness and ecological sustainability, the limitations of traditional manufacturing paradigms become apparent in the context of constrained resources. The adverse effects of these paradigms on the environment and society hinder the achievement of a sustainable product life cycle. Intelligent manufacturing processes offer a solution by efficiently gathering meaningful data, such as usage and product recycling information, from previous product generations to enhance product design and subsequent sustainable manufacturing processes (SMPs). Modular product family architecture (PFA) design holds promise in promoting product sustainability and addressing diverse consumer needs. PFA design and SMPs are inherently interconnected within intelligent manufacturing frameworks. This paper aims to integrate the decision-making processes underlying PFA with SMPs. We model integrated PFA and SMP decisions as a Stackelberg game, which involves hierarchical joint optimization (HJO) for assessing product modularity and sustainable manufacturing fulfillment. We develop a bilevel 0–1 integer nonlinear programming model to represent the HJO decision-making process and propose a nested genetic algorithm (NGA) to solve the HJO problem. A case study with a laptop is conducted to validate the feasibility and potential of the proposed HJO model for joint optimization problems in PFA design and SMPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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26 pages, 9749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Designing Environmentally Sustainable Furniture Products: Furniture-Specific Life Cycle Design Guidelines and a Toolkit to Promote Environmental Performance

by Dongfang Yang and Carlo Vezzoli

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2628; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072628 - 22 Mar 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 10972

Abstract

As awareness of the serious environmental impact of the furniture sector increases, design is increasingly recognized as a crucial lever for innovating towards sustainable furniture products. This acknowledgment was emphasized by the European Union in the Circular Economy Action Plan in 2020 and is further emphasized in the forthcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation in 2024. To address the environmental issues stemming from the life cycle of furniture products, which constitute the fundamental part of the furniture system, specific design knowledge and know-how are developed within this study. Although Life Cycle Design (LCD) is a systematic approach to reducing environmental impacts, its application within the furniture system remains limited. This paper adopts a design-based research approach with three research stages and employs various methods including a literature review, case study, workshops, interviews, questionnaires, and a focus group to develop furniture-specific LCD guidelines and a toolkit. As a result, this paper presents furniture-specific LCD guidelines (comprising 7 strategies, 21 sub-strategies, and 154 guidelines), 41 environmentally sustainable furniture case cards, and a toolkit (comprising 4 tools). These guidelines provide comprehensive principles for designers to address environmental impact throughout the furniture’s life cycle. The toolkit guides sustainable furniture LCD, promoting low environmental impact and high design efficiency. These outcomes address the existing gaps in knowledge and tools in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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33 pages, 5719 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Framework of Hybrid Method for Developing Optimal Sustainable Product Strategies and Sustainable Product Roadmap

by Chun-Wei Chen

Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1374; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041374 - 6 Feb 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3572

Abstract

The success of sustainable product strategies is widely recognized as pivotal to the successful development of sustainable products. Despite some existing research on sustainable product strategies, there is a notable lack of investigation into the tools necessary for their effective development. To address this gap, our study aims to (1) introduce a methodological framework that systematically shapes sustainable product strategy, incorporating key technologies like a Sustainable Product Strategies Focus Group (SPSFG), Brainstorming, Weighted Decision Matrix (WDM), and Genetic Algorithm (GA); (2) demonstrate the practical application of this framework through the example of 3C products; and (3) contribute theoretically by proposing a tool for creating sustainable product strategies that integrates management principles, providing a practical guide for the development of control systems and tools. This study also maps out implications for the future of sustainable 3C products. The development of optimal sustainable product strategies across various sectors requires a comprehensive hybrid approach. This method combines diverse methodologies to create a robust framework addressing unique challenges in health systems, education, environment, industry, agriculture, energy, and resource management. Leveraging quantitative analysis, qualitative assessment, and systems thinking, the hybrid approach provides a nuanced understanding of interdependencies within these sectors. Integrating data-driven insights and qualitative considerations facilitates sustainable strategies, optimizing resource utilization for long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits. This holistic methodology enables a more effective response to interconnected challenges in health systems, education, environmental preservation, industry, agriculture, energy, and resource management, promoting a more sustainable future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Product Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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