ISRI Design for Recycling®

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Begun more than 30 years ago, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, (ISRI) Design for Recycling® initiative encourages manufacturers to consider the ultimate destiny of their products during the design-stage of a product’s development.

Products designed with recyclability in mind:

To be eligible for ISRI’s Design for Recycling® Award, a company’s product(s) must be designed/redesigned and manufactured to:


  • Contain the maximum amount of materials that are recyclable.
  • Be easily recycled through current or newly designed recycling processes and procedures.
  • Be cost effective to recycle, whereby the cost to recycle does not exceed the value of its recycled materials.
  • Be free of hazardous materials that are not recyclable or impede the recycling process.
  • Minimizes the time and cost involved to recycle the product.
  • Reduce the use of raw materials by including recycled materials and/or components.
  • Have a net gain in the overall recyclability of the product while reducing the overall negative impact on the environment.

Design for Recycling® Applied

The following are examples of products made using the Design for Recycling concept. Each is a winner of ISRI’s prestigious Design for Recycling Award:

Lexmark Toner Cartridges
Lexmark

Lexmark Toner Cartridges are designed with recyclability in mind by planning cartridge design and selecting materials that work well in Lexmark's recycling process for reusing and recycling all parts at Lexmark.

Nestlé® Pure Life® 700ml Bottle
Nestlé Waters North America

The Nestlé® Pure Life® bottle being made entirely from recycled content, and features a state-of-the-art, pressure-sensitive label that releases easily during the wash stage of the recycling process

The Latitude 5590 Laptop and 5285 2-in-1
Dell, Inc.

The Latitude 5590 contains a removable battery, is free of harmful substance such as mercury, eliminated the use of glues and adhesives, contains a modular design making easier to access and disassemble, and uses standardized fasteners. The Latitude 5285 2-in-1 uses gold recycled from used electronic products.

2016 Curved Full HD TV (UN55K6250)
Samsung

The 2016 Curved Full HD TV incorporates easy-to-disassemble, snap-together parts that are made with minimal chemical content. The snap closures eliminate the use of many screws, making it easier for recyclers to disassemble.

4K ULTRA HD OLED and LED TVs
LG Electronics, Inc.

The 4K ULTRA HD OLED and LED TVs include mercury-free display panels; use of recycled and recyclable plastics; inclusion of PVC and BFR-free components; small and lighter packaging; ease of disassembly and label/seal separation; and standardized materials and connection types.    

DFR's Role in Recycling

Design for Recycling® Award

DfR-Award-2016_smThe Design for Recycling® Award is ISRI’s highest award that is offered annually to the most outstanding contribution to products designed with recycling in mind.  It recognizes the proactive steps made by manufacturers who have actively incorporated Design for Recycling® principles into their products and manufacturing processes.

Deadline for submissions is February 19, 2021.

Award Milestones for ISRI2021 Convention and Exposition in San Diego.

November 30, 2020

 

Initial Call for Entries.

February 19, 2021

 

Deadline for submissions.

March 12, 2021

 

Request for additional information deadline.

March 15 - 19, 2021

 

Application review.

March 22, 2021

 

Notification to applicants.

April 24, 2021

 

Traditional award date for ISRI2021 Convention and Exposition in San Diego.



Previous Award Winners

 

2020
Lexmark

2019
Nestlé Waters North America

2018
Dell Inc.

2017
EcoStrate SFS Inc.

2016
Samsung Electronics

2015
LG Electronics, Inc.

2014

Dell Inc.

2013
No award presented.

2012
Cascades Fine Papers Group

2011
Wind Simplicity

2010
Coca-Cola Recycling Company

2009
The Herman Miller Company

2008
No award presented.

2007
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

2006
Hewlett Packard

Have Questions?

David L. Wagger
Director of Environmental Management
[email protected]
(202) 662-8533