Design Considerations in Automotive Manufacturing to Assist in End-Of-Life Treatment and Disposal

This paper will present, from the automotive recycler's point of view, the need for end-of-life consideration during the vehicle design phase. This paper describes the work of automotive recyclers and the importance of end-of-life issues so that the automobile can be efficiently and effectively recycled. It includes:

• Examples of practical vehicle design considerations.
• Availability of information for the recycler regarding the disassembly of vehicles.
• The importance of part interchange over a variety of models and years.
• Problems created in dismantling due to the use of environmentally hazardous materials.
• The importance of part/material value at the end of vehicle life.
• How design considerations will help ensure the industries viability, profitability and ability to effectively handle end-of-life vehicles.
• The need for automobile manufacturers and recyclers to work together to address end-of-life issues.

Automotive recyclers propose that if manufacturers emphasize end-of-life design considerations, even in the face of increased requirements on automotive recyclability, the automobile recycling industry will continue to be an effective steward of end-of-life vehicle processing.