1.11 Design for manufacturing, maintenance repair and disposal

Six Rs of Sustainability

The key points that need to be considered in order to make products sustainable.

recycle

To reclaim or reuse old materials/parts in order to make new products.

disassembly

Taking apart products for maintenance or to reclaim parts and materials

reduce

minimising waste and excess materials or packaging

refuse

avoiding unsustainable materials, products or manufacturers

repair

designing a product for so that it can be put back together in working order if something goes wrong

rethink

considering the adoption of more sustainable alternatives

reuse

making it possible to use products or parts again

upcycling

creative reuse of unwanted products and materials to manufacture higher value items

disassembly

Taking apart products for maintenance or to reclaim parts and materials

ease of manufacture

Standard components, pre-manufactured components, design for manufacturing assembly (DFMA); design for disassembly, manufacturing processes

maintenance

strategies designers may need to use to facilitate the maintenance of products