Ecodesign is a method of designing products which takes into account their impact on the environment at all stages of their life cycle. This means attempting to lower the environmental impact and improve the performance of products. The life cycle of a product is usually divided into procurement, manufacture, use, and disposal. Thus ecodesign includes environmental objectives that are treated as major design objectives. Ecodesign may result in the choice of a recyclable or biodegradable material for packaging or the development of a washing powder effective in cold water to reduce the energy consumption of washing machines.