VTT and LUT University in association with Finnish companies have developed a method for evaluating and communicating on the carbon handprint of products. The idea behind the carbon handprint is to quantify to a degree which products and services allow a company’s customers to reduce their carbon footprint. The calculation gives the size of handprint caused by the company’s product: the bigger the handprint, the better. When a customer starts using the product, its own footprint decreases.
Positive impacts of these guidelines would include actions such as improving energy efficiency, reducing the use of materials, developing product recyclability, reducing air pollution, lengthening product lifespans and improving product usability. The goal is by highlighting positive carbon handprints, it will help consumers to make decisions in choosing more responsible products and services. Find the complete guidelines online here: https://www.vtt.fi/sites/handprint/.