Designing product for the environment

A new facet to product design is emerging, called design for end-of-life. Design for end-of-life is the consideration during the design process for the cost effective disposition of a product when it is no longer needed or wanted. We are familiar with DFM (design for manufacturing) and DFA (design for assembly), but these activities, if not done properly, can be in conflict with design for end-of-life. The author briefly discusses the incentive for recycling of materials, and then briefly discusses ways to minimise end-of-life costs including: design for disassembly, material selection, and material identification.<>