Designing ZD systems requires an expansion of the focus and outputs of the traditional design engineer. Concurrent engineers need to incorporate design for the environment. Industrial engineers need to think in terms of industrial clusters. Environmental engineers need to understand upstream processes better so that they can develop designer wastes. Environmental engineers also need to revamp their processes to begin mimicking resource refining.
ZD engineering firms are expected to be working with design for environment engineers, concurrent engineers, and industrial engineers. They should all be seeking to design wastes, conversion processes, and industrial clusters. Setting the stage for overall product design, the industrial ecology approach assists companies in looking beyond the product to its functionality over its life cycle. Services and products should be designed and delivered differently as the following six strategic elements of industrial ecology are applied:
- Selection of materials with desired properties at the outset
- Use of “just in time” materials
- Substitution of processes to eliminate toxic feedstock
- Modification of processes to contain, remove, and treat toxics in waste streams
- Engineering of a robust and reliable process
- Consideration of durability and end of life recyclability
ZD solutions that use conversion technologies should be developed, designed, built, and marketed by the appropriate professionals who understand not only the industrial clusters and the processes involved but also the upstream and downstream requirements.
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