Abstract
This paper describes a method for evaluating the compatibility of a product design with respect to end-of-life product retirement issues, particularly recyclability. Designers can affect the ease of recycling in two major areas: 1) ease of disassembly, and 2) material selection for compatibility with recycling methods. The proposed method, called “clumping,” involves specification of the level of disassembly and the compatibility analysis of each remaining clump with the design’s post-life intent; i.e., reuse, remanufacturing, recycling, or disposal. The method uses qualitative knowledge to assign a normalized measure of compatibility to each clump. An empirical cost function maps the measure to an estimated cost to reprocess the product. The method is an integral part of our life-cycle design computer tool that effectively guides engineers to an environmentally responsible product design. A refrigerator in-door ice dispenser serves as an illustrative example.
Multi Criteria Material Selection for Eco-design
