1
Compiled by Dr. Joe Herbertson
June 2001
Sustainable Resource
Processing
Factor
X and ‘De-materialisation’ in Perspective
Factor X=10 means
satisfying a given functional need with a 90% reduction in environmental impacts
and a corresponding decease in material intensity for the supply chain as a whole on a
life cycle basis
Multiplier Sources of
Improvement % Reduction on
Total Impacts 1
1. Reduced material content in the
use of goods and services 10 30 44 53 68 90
2. Eco-efficiency
of production 4 10 30 44 53 68
3. Product
life extension 10 30 44
4. Increased material recycling 10 30 44 53
Net Impact Reductions, % 2 34 75 90 90 90 90
Factor X 3 1.5 4 10 10 10 10
These illustrative calculations
highlight that major outcomes could be achieved by some combination of persistent
incremental change and breakthrough change
1. Assumed contribution from each
source; 2. Consequent outcome from all
sources
3. Expressed as a factor, ie 90%
reductions are a 10 times improvement in the ratio of value delivered divided by the
environmental impact
4. Eco-efficient production
on its own would not be expected to yield Factor 10 scale
improvements; all aspects of the life cycle need to contribute, especially the design of
how functional needs are satisfied