The Lifecycle Stages are discreet intervals along the life of a finished product—and the materials which make up the product—where environmental impacts are realized. These stages include the processes of raw materials, manufacturing, delivering, using and managing the end of life for products.

It is important to note that, for consistency sake, this index recognizes where the environmental impacts are experienced, not necessarily created or decided. For example: an innovative design that reduces material waste at manufacturing and final assembly would be recognized at manufacturing, even though the choices were not necessarily made by, or at, the manufacturing plant.

The Eco Index framework is organized along the six major stages of a product’s life cycle:

Materials
All inputs that comprise the product itself. Materials Includes the sub-categories of feedstock, raw materials, and processing.

Packaging
This includes materials and manufacturing processes used when creating the packaging for a finished product, or the raw materials which make up the finished product. This includes transport packaging as well as consumer-facing packaging.

Product Manufacturing and Assembly
The process, by which the raw materials are cut, melted, sewn, forged, glued, welded, bolted or otherwise assembled into a finished product

Transport and Distribution
The process of moving the materials, or finished product, through the supply chain and ultimately to the end consumer.

Use and Service
The interval and impacts realized during the finished product’s intended functional life while in the consumer's possession.

End of Life
The disposition of the item when it is no longer a viable product to meet the original intended use.