Analysis of Remanufacturer Waste Streams Across Product Sectors

Abstract Remanufacture involves the production-batch disassembly, cleaning, repair or replacement of parts, and reassembly of products for reuse. Parts that cannot be reused by the remanufacturer enter the waste stream, examination of which reveals insights about remanufacture difficulties. Extending beyond our previous study of automotive products, the remanufacturer waste streams of electrical motors, toner cartridges, valves and telephones were analysed to support product design that facilitates remanufacture. The results of this research are presented in a format that allows a designer to determine the relevance of the products studied to products being designed.