Which term describes designing products so materials can be easily separated and reused at end of life?

• A. Ferrous metal
• B. Thermoplastic
• C. Non-ferrous metal
• D. Design for recycling

Answer: (D)

Design for recycling is the idea of shaping products so materials can be easily separated and reused when the product reaches the end of life. This approach guides how a product is put together—favoring modular components, compatible materials, and simple joining methods—so that, during recycling, parts can be sorted and recovered with minimal effort and contamination. It also encourages labeling materials and avoiding permanent bonds that lock different materials together, making separation difficult. While ferrous and non-ferrous metals or thermoplastics relate to what materials are used, they describe material types rather than the practice of designing to reclaim those materials.