Multi-criteria decision aid for product end of life options selection

This paper presents research objectives, accomplished work and results associated with the research project AEOLOS (an end-of-life of product systems), a project of the 5th framework programme "Competitive and Sustainable Growth" of the Europena Union. The emphasis of the overview is on the multicriteria decision aid aspects of the project. The goal of the AEOLOS project is the development of an integrated methodology and software tool to aid in evaluating product end-of-life (EOL) treatment options with regard to environmental, economic and social criteria. The main scientific innovation is in using multicriteria decision aid methods to select product EOL options under several often conflicting criteria which are not necessarily quantitatively defined. The case studies treated in the AEOLOS project are for electro-mechanical and electronic products with a goal in assisting in the implementation of the WEEE (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment) European directive. However, the methods employed in the project are general and can be applied to other product types and possible directives such as the end-of-life of vehicles (ELV) directive.