ECODESIGN EEG PILOT: WEEE-Directive

Choosing recyclable materials

Material choices made throughout the planning stage need to be based on a material's future reuse and recovery. Therefore, design engineers must have a certain amount of expertise in recycling processes. It is prerequisite for closed materials cycles to use materials which are compatible with efficient recycling processes and which, once recycled, retain their desired properties (by adding original material, if necessary) to a sufficient degree. The material in question must actually be recyclable, but other important issues are also whether corresponding recycling pathways exist and whether there is sufficient demand for the recycled material.
Further information on the recovery of scrap electronics

Reducing the variety of materials used

Reducing the variety of materials used is a crucial point in the attempt to realize the best possible recyclability of a product. As a result, the effort and cost involved in sorting and separating materials during recycling is substantially reduced. In terms of recovery rates, single material components should be preferred wherever possible.

Standard-compliant labeling of all materials

If it is not possible to reuse components or to adapt them for use in other products, the materials have to be recycled. For this procedure it is essential that materials can be unequivocally identified by means of standardized labeling. Products containing materials that have not been labeled correctly very often end up in a waste dump although the recycling of such materials is possible.

Allowing for the separation of materials

The recycling of materials requires the use of uniform or at least recyclable materials. If the product contains incompatible materials, then these materials should be separable. For the purpose of material recycling, separation need not necessarily be nondestructive. Predetermined braking points, too, are an appropriate solution. Design should ensure easy separation of different materials.

Ensuring that materials are suitable for recycling

If the reuse of product parts can not be realized, the goal should be the recycling of materials at the highest level possible. Recyclability may be a decisive factor in selecting materials if there are alternatives with equivalent properties.

Ensuring that surface coating and base material are suitable for recycling

Surface coating typically forms an inseparable compound with the base material. This should, however, not impair recyclability of materials. Intelligent design of components and a selection of adequate materials will ensure compatibility of materials for recycling.

Reusing components in other products

Reusing parts in other products also preserves high value within the component, since its structure is not destroyed. Minor adaptations or reworking of parts that can not be directly reused make them suitable for use in other products. For example, the windows of scrapped washing machines can be used as decorative glass bowls.