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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Eco-sustainable energy and environmental strategies in design for recycling: the software “ENDLESS”

Giorgio BeccaliMaurizio CelluraFulvio Ardente

subject

Electric power distributionSettore ING-IND/11 - Fisica Tecnica AmbientaleIndex (economics)business.industryComputer scienceEcological ModelingManufacturing engineeringSet (abstract data type)Design for recyclingSoftwareEconomic indicatorDesign for environmentDesign for the EnvironmentProduct (category theory)Multi-Attribute Decision-Making methodbusinessEngineering design process

description

Abstract This paper describes a model, named “ENDLESS”, useful to address the design process towards more eco-compatible solutions. In particular, this tool can support the designer in the choice of the product with an higher recyclability potential from a set of different alternatives. The model takes into consideration a Multi-Attribute Decision-Making method and allows calculating a “Global Recycling Index” (GRI) starting from a set of energy, environmental, technical and economic indicators. A weight is assigned to each parameter following the experience of the designer; a sensitivity analysis is then performed to state how the different assumptions can affect the final results. The model is implemented in a software and applied to a case study: to establish the best recyclability option of middle and low voltage electrical lines used for electricity distribution in Italy.

https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3800(02)00418-0