The Importance of Design for Remanufacture in Achieving Net Zero

With the drive to fight climate change, governments world-wide have signed up to achieving net zero. Remanufacturing is a strategy within the circular economy that can be harnessed to achieve net zero. Remanufacturing is the process whereby a product is reworked at the end of life and transformed into a product with same or higher warranty and quality specification of a brand-new product. In this paper, using a qualitative literature review methodology, it is argued that ‘design for remanufacture’ is very important in achieving net zero and has to be taken into consideration by original manufacturers along with circular business models and reverse logistics strategies to conserve energy, enable zero waste and reduce Green House Gas emissions. It is suggested that through ‘design for remanufacture’ products can be sustainably designed ‘ab initio’ in such a way that it easy for disassembly and remanufacture of products reducing pressure on landfills, energy utilisation and environmental pollution.