Recycling of Cartridges in a Closed Loop Circular Economy

This thesis evaluate s if used ink and toner cartridge s can be kept through recycling in a closed loop Circular Economy where both polymer s and electronical waste can be fed back into the loop for creating new cartridges In order to evaluate this closed loop approach qualitative data is gathered through interviews and interpreted so that necessary requirements and their respective prioritisation are identified for designing and developing a n appropriate recycling process. Based on the conducted interviews, it is outlined that depending on the recycling method different ways exist how cartridges can be kept in a closed loop. Therefore according to the prioritisation of the different requirements, the three different categories groups for processing and recycling cartridges are identified and discussed. Namely, these groups are the remanufacturers, the recyclers, and the refillers. A s a further result, a challenge that all three groups seem to face is the lack of customer awareness and the low return rate of cartridges. However, it is shown that by increasing the customer awareness and the return rate the profitability can be increase d and the environmental impact reduced all at the same time Eventually, this thesis identifies which requirements are relevant with r espect to the three groups as well as their specific prioritisation As other produ cts also contain polymers and electronical components, the requirements and their prioritisation may also be taken as reference for other similar recycling processes his thesis evaluate s if used ink and toner cartridge s can be kept through recycling in a closed loop Circular Economy where both polymer s and electronical waste can be fed back into the loop for creating new cartridges In order to evaluate this closed loop approach qualitative data is gathered through interviews and interpreted so that necessary requirements and their respective prioritisation are identified for designing and developing a n appropriate recycling process. Based on the conducted interviews, it is outlined that depending on the recycling method different ways exist how cartridges can be kept in a closed loop. Therefore according to the prioritisation of the different requirements, the three different categories groups for processing and recycling cartridges are identified and discussed. Namely, these groups are the remanufacturers, the recyclers, and the refillers. A s a further result, a challenge that all three groups seem to face is the lack of customer awareness and the low return rate of cartridges. However, it is shown that by increasing the customer awareness and the return rate the profitability can be increase d and the environmental impact reduced all at the same time Eventually, this thesis identifies which requirements are relevant with r espect to the three groups as well as their specific prioritisation As other produ cts also contain polymers and electronical components, the requirements and their prioritisation may also be taken as reference for other similar recycling processes

Wüthrich, Jasmin, 2022

Type of Thesis Master Thesis
Client
Supervisor Eisenbart, Barbara, Schlick, Sandra
Views: 29
Studyprogram: Business Information Systems (Master)
Keywords
Confidentiality: öffentlich
Type of Thesis
Master Thesis
Authors
Wüthrich, Jasmin
Supervisor
Eisenbart, Barbara, Schlick, Sandra
Publication Year
2022
Thesis Language
English
Confidentiality
Public
Studyprogram
Business Information Systems (Master)
Location
Olten