Abstract
The global growth of clean energy technology deployment will be followed by parallel growth in end-of-life (EOL) products, bringing both challenges and opportunities. Cumulatively, by 2050, estimates project 78 million tonnes of raw materials embodied in the mass of EOL photovoltaic (PV) modules, 12 billion tonnes of wind turbine blades, and by 2030, 11 million tonnes of lithium-ion batteries. Owing partly to concern that the projected growth of these technologies could become constrained by raw material availability, processes for recycling them at EOL continue to be developed. However, none of these technologies are typically designed with recycling in mind, and all of them present challenges to efficient recycling. This article synthesizes and extends design for recycling (DfR) principles based on a review of published industrial and academic best practices as well as consultation with experts in the field. Specific principles developed herein apply to crystalline-silicon PV modules, batteries like those used in electric vehicles, and wind turbine blades, while a set of broader principles applies to all three of these technologies and potentially others. These principles are meant to be useful for stakeholders—such as research and development managers, analysts, and policymakers—in informing and promoting decisions that facilitate DfR and, ultimately, increase recycling rates as a way to enhance the circularity of the clean energy economy. The article also discusses some commercial implications of DfR.Graphical
Highlights
In the traditional linear economy, products are typically landfilled at end of life (EOL), and new products from virgin materials are manufactured to replace them
We focus on the application of Design for recycling (DfR) to several clean energy technologies because of their recent and projected growth
Based on our literature review—see the Supplementary Information (SI)—and consultation with experts, we identify nine DfR principles that broadly apply to crystallinesilicon PV modules, EV batteries, and wind turbine blades, as described below
Summary
In the traditional linear economy, products are typically landfilled at end of life (EOL), and new products from virgin materials are manufactured to replace them. A circular economy optimizes energy and material use over product life cycles by remanufacturing, refurbishing, repairing, or reusing EOL products. When products can no longer be remanufactured, refurbished, repaired, or reused, recycling is the final circular option. Many products comprise a complex mix of materials that are difficult to recover during recycling. One approach to bringing such products into the circular economy is to design them from the beginning with recycling in mind. Design for recycling (DfR) holds potential to increase the quantity and value of materials recovered and reused from EOL products
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