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Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.

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Main Author: Diem, Michael
Other Authors: Louw, Louis
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2020
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access_status_str Open Access
author Diem, Michael
author2 Louw, Louis
author_browse Diem, Michael
Louw, Louis
author_facet Louw, Louis
Diem, Michael
author_sort Diem, Michael
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/107965
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:45:33.890Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2020
publishDateRange 2020
publishDateSort 2020
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/107965 Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy Diem, Michael Louw, Louis Braun, Anja Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Industrial Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering. Waste minimization -- Technolocal innovations Evironmental protection Machine learning Salvage (Waste, etc.) -- Decision making Artificial neural networks UCTD End-of-use products -- Sustainability Cirucular economy -- Environmental aspects Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2020. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rising consumption due to growing world population and increasing prosperity, combined with a linear economic system have led to a sharp increase in garbage production, general pollution of the environment and the threat of resource scarcity. At the same time, the perception of environmental protection becomes evident. The Circular Economy (CE) could reduce waste production and decouple economic growth from resource consumption, but most of the products currently in use are not designed for the recovery options of the CE. In addition, the decision-making process regarding following the steps of End-of-Usage (EoU) products has further weaknesses in terms of economic attractiveness for the participants, which leads to low return rates. This work proposes a model of the decision-making process for laptops, which is divided into two parts. In the first part, the condition of the product on component level is determined by the use of Machine Learning (ML). For this purpose stress factors are developed, which have an impact on the condition of the product. Furthermore, ways are elaborated to capture them, as the product is not physically present. A ML method is selected to process this information. A suitable software application is selected on the basis of defined criteria. In the second part, an economic and ecological evaluation is conducted based on the conditions delivered by the ML process. A possible purchase price is determined on the basis of the costs incurred and the expected selling price. In addition, the emissions saved as a result of the recovery are calculated. In order to demonstrate the potentials of the developed processes and thus validate them, comprehensive data is simulated and a prototype developed. The data is used to train the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and as test cases. This work will contribute to carrying out more advanced decision-making and thereby increase the attractiveness, which should lead to higher return rates of EoU products. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Stygende verbruik as gevolg van die groeiende wêreld bevolking en toenemende welvaart, gekombineerd met 'n lineêre ekonomiese stelsel, het gelei tot 'n skerp toename in vullis produksie, algemene omgewingsbesoedeling en die bedreiging van skaarsheid in hulpbronne. Terselfdertyd word die persepsie van omgewings beskerming uitgelug. Die “Circular Economy” (CE) kan afval produksie verminder en ekonomiese groei van hulpbron verbruik ontkoppel, maar die meeste produkte wat tans in gebruik is, is nie ontwerp vir die herstel opsies van die CE nie. Daarbenewens het die besluitnemingsproses rakende die stappe van “End-ofUsage” (EoU) produkte verdere swakhede in terme van ekonomiese aantreklikheid vir die deelnemers, wat tot lae opbrengskoerse lei. Hierdie navorsing is in twee verdeel en stel 'n model voor van die besluitnemingsproses. In die eerste deel word die toestand van die produk op komponent vlak bepaal deur die gebruik van Masjienleer (ML). Daarom word stresfaktore ontwikkel wat 'n invloed het op die toestand van die produk. Verder word maniere uitgewerk om dit vas te lê, aangesien die produk nie fisies aanwesig is nie. 'n ML-metode is die geselekteerde metode om hierdie inligting te verwerk. 'n Gepaste sagteware toepassing word op grond van gedefinieerde kriteria geselekteer. In die tweede deel word 'n ekonomiese en ekologiese evaluering gedoen op grond van die toestande wat deur die ML-proses gelewer word. 'n Moontlike koopprys word bepaal op grond van die koste en die verwagte verkoopprys. Daarbenewens word die emissies wat as gevolg van die herstel bespaar is, bereken. Om die potensiaal van die ontwikkelde prosesse te demonstreer en sodoende te valideer, word uitgebreide data gesimuleer en 'n prototipe ontwikkel. Die data word gebruik om die “Artificial Neural Networks” (ANNs) sowel as die toetsgevalle op te lei. Hierdie werk sal bydra tot meer gevorderde besluitneming en sodoende die aantreklikheid verhoog, wat tot hoër opbrengskoerse van EoU-produkte behoort te lei. Masters 2020-02-19T11:53:00Z 2020-04-28T12:11:43Z 2020-02-19T11:53:00Z 2020-04-28T12:11:43Z 2020-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107965 en Stellenbosch University xiv, 196 leaves : illustrations (some color) application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Waste minimization -- Technolocal innovations
Evironmental protection
Machine learning
Salvage (Waste, etc.) -- Decision making
Artificial neural networks
UCTD
End-of-use products -- Sustainability
Cirucular economy -- Environmental aspects
Diem, Michael
Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy
title Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy
title_full Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy
title_fullStr Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy
title_full_unstemmed Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy
title_short Implementation of machine learning to improve the decision-making process of end-of-usage products in a circular economy
title_sort implementation of machine learning to improve the decision making process of end of usage products in a circular economy
topic Waste minimization -- Technolocal innovations
Evironmental protection
Machine learning
Salvage (Waste, etc.) -- Decision making
Artificial neural networks
UCTD
End-of-use products -- Sustainability
Cirucular economy -- Environmental aspects
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/107965
work_keys_str_mv AT diemmichael implementationofmachinelearningtoimprovethedecisionmakingprocessofendofusageproductsinacirculareconomy