What is the primary purpose of the Lifecycle Design Strategies (LiDS) Wheel?

The primary purpose of the Lifecycle Design Strategies (LiDS) Wheel is to assess the environmental performance of product designs. This tool is designed to provide a systematic approach for analyzing and improving the sustainability of products throughout their entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction through to end-of-life disposal or recycling. By focusing on environmental performance, the LiDS Wheel helps designers and engineers identify opportunities to minimize negative impacts, improve resource efficiency, and promote sustainable practices.

The LiDS Wheel encompasses various strategies that guide users in evaluating how different design choices can influence ecological footprints, helping to ensure that products are developed with sustainability in mind. This approach aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainable design in product development, aiming to create goods that not only meet consumer needs but do so with a reduced environmental impact.

Other answers reference different aspects of product and design evaluation, but the core purpose of the LiDS Wheel specifically relates to understanding and enhancing environmental performance.