Products for recyclability

Recycling is central in a resource-constrained world. For Electrolux, design for recycling underlines the uniform use of plastics and the importance of reducing hazardous substances. We are also launching products that use recycled materials.

Electrolux runs recycling tests and uses software tools that help optimize product recyclability. The outcome of these tests also improves disassembly. In our products, plastics and metals are primarily recycled.

In the US we work with many partners along our value chain – including organizations such as ARCA (American Recycling Centers of America) and cooperate closely with retailers – on establishing consumer focused recycling programs.

Major home appliances make up about 10% of all the steel processed by the recycling industry in the US. The US Appliance Recycling Information Center reports that 2.1 million tons of steel recovered from recycled appliances conserves more than two million tons of iron or, nearly 1.5 million tons of coal and 126,000 tons of limestone.

Recycling is regulated on the state level in the US. California is paving the way with strict regulation on recycling electronic waste.

According to the Europe-wide WEEE Directive, a minimum 80% of the collected waste of large appliances must be recovered. This includes at least 75% that is to be reused or material recycled, and a maximum 5% can be used for energy recovery.

Using recycled material

In 2008, the Ultrasilencer Green was launched, toting 55% recycled polypropylene content for the body of the vacuum cleaner. Using recycled plastics generates a saving of two litres of crude oil and 80 litres of water per vacuum cleaner compared with using virgin materials.

For refrigerators, on average 60% recycled steel is used in manufacture. All Electrolux refrigerators are designed for easy disassembly, this includes the uniform use of plastics such as polystyrene, used in interior parts and the metal casing.