16 Questions
What are Secondary Raw Materials?
Materials recovered from waste, no longer waste, have a positive value, and may be freely traded and transported.
Define Recyclability.
Recyclability implies that after EOL, the product can technically be processed back to pure raw materials, given efficient waste collection and transport, and it makes sense from an economic and environmental point of view.
What is the estimated lifespan to EOL for consumer electronics?
Weeks to years
What makes waste different from Secondary Raw Materials?
Waste has a negative value, while Secondary Raw Materials have a positive value.
What is the key consideration for recyclability, other than technical processing?
Efficient waste collection and transport, and the economic and environmental feasibility of the process.
What are examples of materials that have different estimated lifespans to EOL?
Plastic toys, cars, aircraft, buildings, and roads
What are the factors that improve the probability of a product being recycled?
The product can easily be reduced to pure material fragments, the materials are clean and not degraded, there is an efficient collection system in place, and there is no additional contamination during collection.
What is the consequence of up-cycling in terms of the probability of the material being recycled again?
There is a good chance it will be recycled again next time it is disposed of.
Give an example of a material that undergoes down-cycling and is less likely to be recycled again.
Particle wood, plastic garden furniture, road signs, toilet paper, disposable plastic cutlery, and paper cups.
What is the consequence of down-reusing in terms of the probability of the old product being reused again?
There is a substantial chance it will not be reused again the next time it is disposed of.
Explain the relationship between durability and recyclability in product design.
Durability aims to keep the product in use for a long time, with recyclability as a secondary goal. Recyclability aims to make it easy to recycle a product, with lifespan as a secondary goal.
What distinguishes antiques and works of art in terms of effective design for reuse?
Antiques and works of art distinguish themselves in that their ownership changes frequently while their market value tends to increase, making them examples of effective design for reuse.
What does miniaturization do to the complexity and costs of products in terms of their EOL treatment?
Miniaturization increases complexity and costs, especially for more complex products.
What are the two factors used to measure the recovery and grade of materials?
Recovery (0-1) and Grade (0-100).
What are the factors that contribute to the efficiency of recycling?
The product can be easily reduced to pure material fragments, the materials are clean and not degraded, there is an efficient collection system in place, and there is no additional contamination during collection.
What are the consequences of up-reusing and down-reusing in terms of the probability of the old product being reused again?
Up-reusing implies a good chance of being reused again, while down-reusing implies a substantial chance it will not be reused again the next time it is disposed of.
Test your knowledge of concepts and terminology related to solid waste, including product lifespans, end-of-life (EOL), packaging materials, secondary raw materials, and the characteristics of solid waste.
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