Abstract
This research was focused on developing a new scientific approach for prioritising recycling of end-of-life
products in a circular economy. To date, product complexity based on the mixture of materials has been
used as a predictor of what gets recycled. While the separation of materials that make up a product has
been modelled as a measure of product complexity, this does not taken into account the benefits and
considerations in recycling products. In this paper, a new agenda and approach to prioritise the recycling
of products was developed based on a recycling desirability index. The material mixing complexity
measure was inverted into a simplicity index and then extended by modelling the security index for the
mix of materials and the technological readiness level of recycling technologies. The extended model is
proposed as an integrated measure of the desirability of recycling end-of-life products. From this analysis,
an apparent recycling desirability boundary, enabling products to be prioritised for recycling, was
developed. This model and analysis can be used as an information source in developing policies and
product recycling priorities.