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Summary
Design for disassembly is an approach that makes products and materials easy to take apart, allowing components to be reused or recycled instead of discarded. This principle plays a crucial role in supporting the circular economy by reducing waste and extending the lifespan of materials and products.
Plan for reuse: Consider how each part will be separated and repurposed when the product or structure reaches the end of its life.
Simplify construction: Use fewer, standardized components and materials so that items can be quickly dismantled and parts can be used again.
Support user repair: Provide clear guides, documentation, and tools to help people fix or upgrade products, encouraging longer use and less waste.
Concrete is the second most consumed substance on Earth (after water). With 30 billion tons produced annually, our concrete foundations have a lasting wet concrete footprint!
But what if we stopped treating concrete as disposable?
Design for Disassembly (#DfD) is transforming how we view this ubiquitous material. Rather than demolishing and landfilling, DfD enables us to deconstruct and reuse—unlocking significant carbon and cost savings.
The Betonakkord initiative in the Netherlands proves it works: they've established clear standards for reusing concrete elements, creating a true circular concrete economy where "waste" becomes a valuable resource.
Rethinking concrete isn't just environmentally responsible—it's economically savvy. As material costs rise and supply chains face disruption, companies that design for reuse gain resilience against market volatility.
That's why Coreo and #Built partnered to create a comprehensive DfD guide.
Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/g4t-U2bU
I help climate solutions accelerate adoption with design that wins pilots, partnerships & funding | Clients across startups and unicorns backed by U.S. Dep’t of Energy, YC, Accel | Brand, Websites and UX Design.
After its glory days, does your product become a landfill monster?
Sadly, most of them do. It’s a HUGE waste and a burden on our planet. ️
But there's a better way → Design for Disassembly (DfD)!
These are products designed to be easily broken down and have parts reused in new creations!
DfD isn't just a feel-good concept––it's a big leap for sustainability! Here's why:
✂️ Cuts Costs: Faster disassembly = faster reassembly on the production line.
❤️ Happy Customers: Easy repairs, extended lifespans, and upgrade options lead to more loyal fans
🌎 Saves the Planet: By using fewer resources, these products are inherently more environmentally friendly.
♻️ Second Life for Parts: New life to old components in different markets.
But how do you implement designing for disassembly?
→ Know your end-of-life (EOL) destinations. Think about where will each component go when the product reaches its end of life.
→ Design for the long-term. Is it a single-use disposable item, or are you aiming for a product that can be repaired and upgraded over time?
→ Planning your product's entire lifecycle from the get-go: product architecture, component design, type of fasteners used, and even the materials themselves.
→ Even disassembly is an economic equation. Consider the cost of labor for disassembly, disposal of any waste generated during the process, and potential revenue from selling EOL components.
Tips for designing for disassembly:
→ Use high-quality components: Durable parts minimize collateral damage during repair.
→ Standardize components: Opt for readily available components to make replacements a breeze for both you and your customers!
→ Offer repair documentation: Share repair guides and manuals publicly to help your users extend the life of your product themselves!
→ Consider including repair tools: This shows your commitment to user empowerment and product longevity.
→ Think about the incentive to repair: Motivate users to replace a part, because the easiest thing to do is often to just throw it away
☂️ A great example is the @Ginkgo umbrella, which is 100% recyclable!
✅ Made from 20 pieces, instead of the traditional 120+ piece umbrella designs.
✅ Designed with no screws or pivots necessary for assembly–– reducing the number of parts and materials needed.
✅ Can be put apart quickly and easily, and every single element can be recycled or repurposed.
Fairphone and Framework are other great modular electronics that follow Design for disassembly
🌍 Designing for disassembly is about creating products that are good for business, good for your customers, and good for the planet.
What are products that you’ve seen that are have been designed for disassembly?
#climatesolutions#sustainability#circulareconomy
Sustainable design processes we've implemented at Entwurfreich ♻️
(And how you can adopt them)
We're prioritizing sustainability by integrating design for disassembly into our projects.
It seems simple: products are designed to be easily taken apart, allowing us to reuse and recycle more, reduce waste, and care for our environment.
With waste projections reaching 3.4 billion tons by 2050, we need to act now.
By designing with disassembly in mind, we align our products with the principles of a circular economy.
This approach extends their usability and minimizes environmental impact.
Here’s how you can start:
- Integrate disassembly from the initial stage of design.
- Optimise for materials that are dismantled easily.
- Clearly label parts for quick identification.
- Utilize design software to model disassembly.
- Iterate based on feedback to streamline the process.
Every step towards sustainability is a step towards a healthier planet.
P.S. What sustainable practices have you implemented?
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I’m Simon T. Gorski, an industrial designer and entrepreneur with 12+ years of experience designing products that impact markets.
Follow me for daily insights about industrial design.
#Sustainability#CircularEconomy#Innovation