An assessment and prioritization of "design for recycling" guidelines for plastic components

The current paper summarizes the results of a study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of design for recycling strategies for plastic components. Interviews and site visits were conducted with computer disassemblers and plastics recyclers based in the United States and Europe to investigate the effectiveness of design for recycling guidelines. Both manual and automated recycling technologies for plastics were investigated. Based on this investigation, six key designs for recycling guidelines are prioritized based on their potential for improving the recyclability of plastic components. The results of this study can be used to help prioritize design for recycling strategies so that both product recyclability and design productivity are maximized.