PHOTOCOPIER REMANUFACTURING AT XEROX UK: AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY

摘要

Remanufacturing is a process that returns end-of-life products into useful service through a programme of rework. It is one strategy used both to divert waste products from landfill sites and to provide additional revenue from an otherwise worthless product. This paper explains and illustrates Xerox remanufacturing processes studied at one of its factories in the UK. It compares the environmental impact of remanufacturing with new build components on a photocopier product.The study considered a plastic casing component. Through a series of industrial processes, in a factory environment, the discarded components were completely disassembled, either cleaned or, painted or recoated and then reassembled with a number of minor components. The study used a Life Cycle Assessment tool to compare the material, energy and waste generated to the new build Injection Moulded alternative.The paper presents the results of the study together with an analysis of the resujts. The paper concludes by describing the continued on-going work into another photocopier component.