How to Calculate Recyclability of Your Products

In today’s world, the sustainability of products is a crucial aspect for businesses and consumers alike. DIN EN 45555 provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the recyclability of energy-related products (ErPs). This blog will delve into the methods outlined in the standard, focusing specifically on recyclability and how to calculate it effectively.

Understanding Recyclability

Recyclability refers to the ability of a product or its components to be reprocessed into new products, materials, or substances after it has reached its end-of-life (EoL). This process excludes energy recovery, which involves using waste to produce energy. The main goal is to maximize the amount of material that can be reused, thus minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Key Aspects of Recyclability Assessment

The DIN EN 45555 standard highlights several material efficiency aspects relevant to recyclability:

1. Extending Product Lifetime: Designing products that last longer reduces the frequency of disposal and the need for recycling.
2. Reusing Components: Identifying parts that can be reused in other products without additional processing.
3. Recycling Materials: Ensuring that the materials used in products can be effectively separated and recycled at the EoL stage.

Factors Influencing Recyclability

To assess the recyclability of a product, consider the following factors:

• Design Characteristics: The structure, material composition, and assembly of the product significantly impact its recyclability. For example, products with easily separable parts are typically more recyclable.
• Removal of Hazardous Substances: Identifying and removing hazardous components or materials that could impede the recycling process.
• Efficiency of Recycling Processes: The effectiveness of current recycling technologies in processing the materials used in the product.

Steps to Calculate Recyclability

The DIN EN 45555 standard provides a step-by-step method for calculating the recyclability rate of a product. Here's a simplified guide based on the standard:

1. Define the Reference EoL Treatment Scenario: Outline the processes and steps required for the EoL treatment of the product. This includes depollution, sorting, and recycling operations.
2. Identify and Assess Design Characteristics: Create a checklist to evaluate the product's design in terms of recyclability. Consider factors such as the ease of disassembly and the compatibility of materials with recycling processes.
3. Determine Recyclability Factors: For each part or material of the product, calculate its recyclability factor. This factor ranges from 0 to 1, indicating the percentage of the material that can be successfully recycled.
4. Aggregate Treatment Efficiencies: Multiply the efficiencies of each treatment step to calculate the overall recyclability factor for the product. This involves evaluating the output of each treatment step relative to its input.