Ecodesign application to electronic products using the new software tool

Proactive electronics companies have vigorously been pursuing the implementation of cleaner electronic technologies. One of the general approaches to aid designers with this task is to develop a computer software for the environmental improvement. The authors, in collaboration with Technical University Braunschweig developed the ecodesign tool through 3 years´ work starting 1996 and created databases for various electronic products. The philosophy intends to design parts and products which can be dismantled and recycled in an easier and more economical way. However, designers do not generally have the design experience considering disassembly and recycling. This paper thus gives knowledge of disassembly and recycling at the earliest design stage in the way of a tool which helps designers with assessing the impact of their proposed design on disassembly and recycling. Application of newly developed ecodesign tool to LG electronic products including air conditioner, washing machine and refrigerator made 15% improvement of recycling performance