Generating design alternatives for increasing recyclability of products

This paper proposes a design support method for improving the recyclability of electronic and electrical products. The method estimates the recycling rate of a product based on its end-of-life scenario. The method supports a designer in generating design alternatives that increase the rate by conducting impact analysis with the change of material composition and end-of-life scenario. The method suggests design alternatives with the constraint of keeping the other performance factors (e.g., flexural strength and thermal conductivity) constant by adjusting the geometric parameters (e.g., thickness and volume) of the components.