Material Input Per Service Unit (MIPS)

AIM 

To support the process of MIPS method to estimate the input orientated impact on the environment caused by the manufacture or services of a product which is a simplified LCA

HOW TO USE THE TOOL

Fig.1 MIPS tools – Data Sheet
Fig.2 MIPS tools - Material Intensity Table
Fig.3 MIPS tools – Calculation Sheet

 

  • Data Sheet

when we have detailed information for each life cycle process, all data should be fully documented with source, year of reference, explanatory notes, exact amounts, units, etc. in the Data Sheet; we should fill in one sheet for each process. (fig 1)

  • Material Intensity Table

based on the data on Data Sheet, we could check the necessary material intensity (MIT) of different materials, fuels, transport services and food, listed according to the five inputs categories of the MIPS concept: These are abiotic and biotic materials, water, air and earth movement in agriculture and silviculture. (fig 2)

  • Calculation Sheet

with the data get from former two tools, we fill in materials, unit, amount, MI factor. By multiplication the input amount with MIT (i.e. MI factor), we get the material input. The overall material input per life cycle process can be get by adding all parts. (fig 3)

RESULTS

  • With Data Sheet, we could have an overall picture of the material and energetic inputs and outputs of the individual processes used during the life cycle of a product or services.
  • With Material Intensity Sheet, we will know the MIT value for our inventory data;
  • With the Calculation Sheet, the result is the Material Input of a product/process.

TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE TOOL : https://wupperinst.org/

Product Processes and stages

System Processes and stages

  • LCA or qualitative env. evaluation on ref. product (Product strategic brief/Design brief)
  • Environmental features + simplified LCA or qualitative concept evaluation (Product concept design)
  • Simplified LCA or qualitative concept evaluation(Product concept design)
  • LCA of alternative process and LCA/qualitative evaluation of the product (Product detailed design and engineering)
  • LCA of comparison with original product or qualitative evaluation (Product detailed design and engineering)
  • Documentation for communication for environmental quality (Product communication)
  • Sustainability analysis of the existing PSS (Service strategic analysis/design brief)
  • Environmental, socio ethical and economic check (Service concept design, Service detailed design & engineering)
  • Documentation for communication of sustainable qualities (Service communication