Enhancing end-of-life product recyclability through modular design and social engineering optimiser

Abstract

Amidst the thriving landscape of manufacturing, the vision of sustainability in Industry 5.0 is becoming increasingly significant. The implementation of recycling represents a crucial step in the pursuit of sustainability, particularly in light of the mounting challenge posed by the proliferation of end-of-life (EOL) products. Addressing this challenge, we propose a novel Design for Modular Recyclability (DFMR) approach aimed at facilitating the recycling of EOL products. Our study develops a multi-objective optimisation model with a focus on maximising green recyclability and independence while minimising aggregation. We introduce an innovative Social Engineering Optimiser (SEO) to simulate behavioural patterns in complex environments, aiding in identifying and implementing effective strategies for optimal or near-optimal results in diverse scenarios. The practical effectiveness of the proposed models and algorithms is demonstrated by applying them to a real-life case study in an internal combustion engine, followed by performance comparisons with existing well-established multi-objective optimisation algorithms. The findings of our study demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed DFMR model, offering a novel approach for decision-makers to undertake EOL product recovery. This contributes to the further exploration of complex and promising paths towards sustainable manufacturing and green production that are more in line with Industry 5.0.