Design for recyclability: Product function, failure, repairability, recyclability and disposability

摘要

The early 1960's saw the growth of the consumer revolution and emergence of 'lifestyle' products and 'designer' label. With consumerism came waste driven by the design and changes in design thinking from product longevity and repairability of the immediate post war era to the short term and throw away mentality of the 1990's. Currently professional design thinking is undergoing change, with the life cycle of the product from design to disposability becoming a major concern. Using past and present case studies this paper interrogates the product life cycle issues of function, failure, repairability, recyclability and disposability. Case studies are drawn from household, consumer and automotive product areas, including packaging.