ABSTRACT

This paper explores and develops further the link between the design of interchangeable parts and the remanufacturing approach, with the aim to lay down the underlying rationale, and make evidence of the potential that such association might represent. The study is intended to groundwork the needs for further research work, prospectively targeting the development of standards for cross-sector product design and remanufacture. Such approach encompasses, not only clear environmental and economic benefits, but also social ones, which gear from a more labour intensive activity, which promotes local employment and income. The direct environment gains accrue from a wider reuse of end-of-life products, manufacturing processes energy related savings, raw materials savings, lower GHG emissions on several stages of the product’ life-cycle, and an overall decline on the quantity of waste generated.