Integration of recycling considerations into product design - a system approach

This paper presents an integrative approach for design-for-recycling of products. A system approach is suggested integrating the products recycling feautres, the recycling process and the product logistic support during the products life cycle. Design-for-recycling is defined as a design for ease of product and maximum output. Rules dedicated for design-for-recycling are given particularly to the disassembly process of a product during the recycling stage. The design approach is demonstrated by investigating a washing machine as a representative of a "white" household machines family. The recyclability of the machine is evaluated, where different design-forrecycling rules are applied in order to improve the machine recycling characteristics.