Chapter 19 - Design for environment—A european logistics perspective

Abstract

This chapter presents two end-of-life (EOL) strategies used in the design for environment (DfE). Reverse logistics play an important role within EOL strategies. One significant barrier to cost-effective take-back systems is the high percentage of the budget that must be dedicated to logistic costs, which can be up to 50% of the take-back costs. To support the planning of integrated, cost-optimized take-back and recovery systems, Fraunhofer IML developed a methodology and a corresponding software tool, EDS-RLog. Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) was part of the European Union's (EU) high-priority program in the early 1990s, designed to find out general ways to set up regulations for waste streams. The Fraunhofer IML researchers developed a totally new hardware concept for the collection of WEEE. This method enabled the simultaneous but separate collection of up to nine different fractions on one tour. The new containers have been designed in such a way thatthey can be dropped off at retail outlets to serve as collection bins as well as for collection “on tour” and storing the used equipment on the transport. Once offloaded at the disassembly facility, the same containers are used to transport materials inside the plant.