Recycle An Existing Product

When you recycle an existing product, you take a product that has come to the end of its useful condition and either rebuild it to a "like new" state or remanufacture it into another product.

Some Examples

1. A company retrieves alternators and starters from wrecked cars, rebuilds them and sells them as reconditioned parts.

2. A man reconditions non-working or unwanted household appliances and then resells them.

3. A company takes motors out of junked cars and remanufactures them into inboard marine motors.

4. A firm turns discarded tires into floor mats for workshops and garden centres.

How To Do It

1. Find a product which:
   • wears out with use over time;
   • can be rebuilt by adding new parts or re-conditioning old parts to original standards; and
   • is expensive enough when new to warrant a rebuild which can then save customers money.
   
   
2. Find a product with components that can be used to make a different product. To identify a product with recyclable parts, look for one which:
   • wears out with use over time
   • is not worth rebuilding to a "like new" condition;
   • has one or more components which are still in usable condition and
   • can become an inexpensive source of parts or materials which would cost more if purchased new.
   
   

3. Find out if the used products or parts can be obtained easily, economically and reliably.

4. Develop a procedure to disassemble, rebuild and reassemble the components.

5. Determine whether there is a market for the reconditioned or newly created products by talking to potential customers.

Key Questions

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