End-of-life

Anna Luthin

Chapter 57 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, 2026, pp 200-203 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: A product reaches its end-of-life (EoL) when it is expired or materials fail so that the initial function can no longer be fulfilled or when the product is not wanted by its user anymore. This can occur due to societal factors or market changes. In the traditional life cycle of a linear economy, the EoL marks the last stage of a product's life. With the switch to a circular economy, more favorable EoL strategies than disposal were introduced. These strategies include prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery. The handling of EoL strategies other than landfill or incineration poses challenges for life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) practitioners. Particularly, the definition of the functional unit (FU), system boundaries, and burden allocations between different life cycles require further consideration for comparable LCSA studies.

Keywords: End-of-life; EoL allocations; EoL strategies; Producer responsibility; R-principles; Waste (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035309887
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