Abstract: Design for recyclability (DFR) is an efficiency way to improve the recyclability and the environmental performance of products. A new design method based on recycling element is put forward. The method takes the product as a set of recycling elements and realizes the design for recyclability process by the design of recycling elements and the design of the interface between recycling elements. Based on the introduction of the concept of recycling element, the design for recyclablity process, including the design of basic recycling elements, the design of the com-bined elements and the design of interfaces between the com-bined recycling elements, is analyzed. At last, an example is given to show the design process.

Key words: Basic recycling element, Combined recycling element, Design for recyclability (DFR), Recyclability