The ecological backpack method can be used to measure the total amount of natural resources required to produce a certain product or service. Ecological backpack concretises the hidden flows, the material used or transferred during the production phase but which is not visible in the final product. The ecological backpack can be measured in five categories: Abiotic (non-renewable) and biotic (renewable) resources, erosion, water and air.
For example the weight of a non-renewable ecological backpack of a desktop computer and a display is more than 1 400 kilograms*. The physical weight of the device is only about 25 kilograms. The backpack of the laptop indicates that somewhere in the world large amount of resources have been transferred or used. This can include energy use, processes and side products in raw material production.
The ecological backpack concept can be used to measure and improve eco-efficiency. This means that we can create more wealth from less material. The method can be applied from a single product to even a lifestyle. Improving eco-efficiency by using less natural resources is related to the preventative approach on environmental problems. The traditional way is to concentrate on the end-of-pipe problems and handling the damage already caused (pollution and waste).
You can estimate the ecological backpack of your lifestyle at Onedidit.com(approve sites)
The ecological backpack method is based on the MIPS-method (material input per service unit) developed in the Wuppertal Institute in the 1990’s.
- Moisio, T., S. Lähteenoja & M. Lettenemeier (2008) Goods MIPS. Calculation of the ecological backpack of a desktop computer. After Kuehr, R. & E. Williams (eds.) (2003) Computers and the environmental – Understanding and managing their impacts.