Design for recycling: new paradigm or just the latest 'design-for-X' fad

It is clear that designers in most if not all industries will soon be formally challenged with ensuring that their products can be disposed of acceptably. Design for disposal/recycling is introduced as a broader, more accurate term than design for recycling. Some recycling principles are first briefly reviewed. Then we consider why and under what conditions it makes sense to design for recycling. Finally, we consider how designers should go about designing for recycling. A number of heuristics or tentative rules for design for disposal/recycling are discussed. It is concluded that a life–cycle approach to design is required. Thus, researchers must continue to quantify the advantages of source reduction. Manufacturers must continue to develop new reprocessing techniques. Designers must continue to apply design for disposal/recycling heuristics when their tradeoffs with other requirements make sense. Finally, all involved must continue to explore the product life cycle to better understand all the consequences of every design decision.