Refurbish or recycle household appliances? an ecological and economic study of Electrolux in Sweden

The choice of end of life option for damaged products affects the product´s environmental impact. In this study, recycling and refurbishing of household appliances are ecologically and economically compared. The comparisons were conducted by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and activity base costing (ABC), which are both reliable methods. The results from the analyses show that the refurbishment scenario is preferable from both economic and ecological standpoint. Refurbishment can also be used to a greater extent when the aim is to save nature or to decrease the economic losses that accrue from product defects. Having products refurbished in a central facility gives the manufacturer the opportunity to enhance knowledge about their product´s performance throughout its entire life cycle.