Title: Ecodesign of multilateral recycling systems in Asia

Authors: Jun Fujimoto, Shinsuke Kondoh, Dean Poland

Addresses: Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Muguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan. ' Environmentally Conscious Design and Manufacturing Group, Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), AIST Tsukuba Eaxt, 1-2-1, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 8564, Japan. ' School of International Liberal studies, Waseda University International (WUI), 513 Waseda-tsurumakicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162 0041, Japan

Abstract: The maintenance of lawful domestic recycling systems is essential. Therefore, it must be recognised that there are many products leaking out of lawful systems. However, the actual condition of leaked products has not been identified (invisible flow). For achieving ecodesign of multilateral recycling systems in Asia, it is necessary to clarify the condition of the invisible flow. We tried to identify the condition using the recycling profit analysis model. These results showed that material recycling utilised in Asian areas produce more profits from several hundreds to thousands of yen per product, than that of Japan. Regarding the reuse of the products and their parts, marine transportation costs have a large effect on the secondhand business and its strategies. To solve the problem of |invisible flow|, we proposed a system that allows the ownership of a product to be traced: Dual Traceable Ownership System (DTOS). DTOS is a system based on a different attitude towards |ownership| which makes traceability of a product visible. Two types of ownership forms were considered. A fundamental awareness that |ownership| means |responsibility|, will solve the |invisible flow| issue, and lead to the achievement of an adequate multilateral recycling system.

Keywords: Asia; awareness; consumer choice; cost-profit analysis; ecodesign; home appliances; multilateral recycling systems; product ownership; responsibility; product reuse; marine transport.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2009.027611

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.11 No.4, pp.276 - 289

Published online: 03 Aug 2009 *

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