About This Course

This course addresses the significant environmental and economic impacts of electronic product disposal and aims to transition the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) industry towards a circular economy. It is designed for designers, engineers, and policymakers involved in EEE, focusing on the principles of Design for Recycling (DfR) and using recycled plastics in product design. This transformative education is provided by Delft University of Technology and industry leaders within the RE-CET consortium.

What Students Will Learn

• The interconnection between product design and recycling, enhancing value creation and recovery.
• Detailed understanding of recycling technologies and their design implications.
• Strategies to enhance the recyclability of electronic products.
• Methods to integrate recycled plastics into new product designs effectively.
• Insights into reducing risks associated with recycled materials.
• Anticipation of future trends and technologies in recycling and design.

Prerequisites

This course is targeted at product designers, engineers, decision-makers in the EEE industry, and anyone interested in sustainable product design. Participants should be keen on advancing their understanding of sustainable practices within electronic design and recycling.

Course Coverage

• Systems-level perspectives on circular economy strategies.
• Product-level designs enhancing EEE recyclability.
• Material-level insights into plastics recycling.
• Case studies demonstrating real-world applications of DfR.
• Current and future recycling technologies, legislation, and business models.

Who This Course is For

This course is ideal for professionals in the electronic design and manufacturing sectors, policymakers involved in environmental and economic sustainability, and students of design and environmental sciences. It particularly benefits those aiming to integrate circular economy principles into their practices.

Real-World Applications

• Designing electronics that are easier to disassemble for better recycling outcomes.
• Implementing circular economy principles in product development and corporate strategies.
• Influencing environmental policies and legislation through informed, sustainable practices.
• Innovation in the use of recycled materials within new and existing product lines.

Syllabus

Module 1: DfR at a Systems Level

• Overview of circular design strategies.
• Fundamentals of design for recycling.
• Using recycled plastics in product design.
• Understanding recycling processes at a systems level.

Module 2: DfR at the Product Level

• Specific EEE recycling processes.
• Challenges specific to EEE recycling.
• Practical approaches to DfR for electronics.
• Real-world case studies.

Module 3: DfR at the Material Level

• Processes for recycling plastics used in electronics.
• Obstacles in plastics recycling.
• Design tips for using recycled plastics.
• In-depth case studies.

Module 4: Futureproof DfR

• Strategies to enhance collection and recycling of WEEE.
• Emerging technologies in recycling and their potential impact on design.
• Updates and implications of new policies on electronic design and recycling.