Assessing the benefits of design for recycling for plastics in electronics: A case study of computer enclosures

Eric Masanet*, Arpad Horvath

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

With the emergence of extended producer responsibility regulations for electronic devices, it is becoming increasingly important for electronics manufacturers to apply design for recycling (DFR) methods in the design of plastic enclosures. This paper presents an analytical framework for quantifying the environmental and economic benefits of DFR for plastic computer enclosures during the design process, using straightforward metrics that can be aligned with corporate environmental and financial performance goals. The analytical framework is demonstrated via a case study of a generic desktop computer enclosure design, which is recycled using a typical US "take-back" system for plastics from waste electronics. The case study illustrates how the analytical framework can be used by the enclosure designer to quantify the environmental and economic benefits of two important DFR strategies: choosing high-value resins and minimizing enclosure disassembly time. Uncertainty analysis is performed to quantify the uncertainty surrounding economic conditions in the future when the enclosure is ultimately recycled.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1801-1811
Number of pages11
JournalMaterials and Design
Volume28
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

Funding

The authors acknowledge the support of the University of California Toxic Substances Research and Training Program through its Health Effects component (2000–2002) and its Investigator-Initiated Grants Program (2003–2004).

Keywords

  • Performance indices (H)
  • Recycling (C)
  • Thermoplastics (A)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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