Postuse

Postuse is a term used to describe the fate and management of a product or material after the end of its useful life. It denotes the set of end-of-life decisions and processes that determine how value is recovered, hazards are contained, and environmental impact is minimized. The concept is central to circular economy thinking and life cycle assessment, highlighting actions taken after consumption rather than during production or active use.

End-of-life pathways associated with postuse include reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling (mechanical or chemical), and repurposing into new products. Energy recovery through incineration or other methods may apply in some cases, with disposal to landfill as a last resort. Practical postuse workflows typically involve collection, sorting, disassembly, and processing to separate materials and components for suitable second-life routes.

Design for postuse is a related focus, emphasizing product architectures that facilitate disassembly, material compatibility, and modularity to ease end-of-life processing. Regulatory frameworks and standards—such as extended producer responsibility schemes and waste management directives—shape how postuse is managed across regions and industries, promoting higher rates of recovery and lower environmental impact.

Challenges in postuse include contamination, heterogeneous material streams, economic viability, traceability, and the complexity of reverse logistics. Effectively addressing these issues can improve resource efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainable consumption patterns. Practical examples span electronics take-back programs, textile recycling schemes, and packaging return systems, all aimed at maximizing material value during the postuse stage. See also circular economy, end-of-life, reverse logistics, and life cycle assessment.