Design for recycling and remanufacturing of mechatronic and electronic products. Challenges, solutions and practical examples from the European viewpoint

The amount of products running out of use is going to be a new challenge. Today, the industry is increasingly faced with regulations concerning the environment and recycling as well as with a change of the costumer's consciousness and needs. Solving this task doesn't only mean to develop recycling technologies for returning products, but also the consideration of the recycling in the product design. Strategical aim is the Life-Cycle-Engineering integrated into an overall concept of environmental management and marketing. The paper gives various examples.