End of Life deals with questions about Reuse, Repair, Recycle, and Economic Benefits. EDF provided a rubric to judge End of Life properties of our product—D.R.I.P.S.
Reuse
“The product or some components can be reused for the same and/or a new application.”—EDF Evaluation Tool
The individual D.R.I.P.S. models can be moved around to different locations based on the needs of the subsistence farming community. It can be reused indefinitely until it finally breaks, at which point it can be simply recycled and replaced.
Repair
“All components, or at least functioning parts, can be replaced.”—EDF Evaluation Tool
If it is cracked, it can probably be repaired simply with glue, but we imagine that they will just be recycled. Also, a D.R.I.P.S. model would probably function normally even with a couple cracks in it.
Recycle
“The product can be separated into recyclable parts, taking into consideration local waste collection and recycle processes and infrastructures.”—EDF Evaluation Tool
It is made out of recycled plastic and so is 100% recyclable.
Economic Benefits
“Benefit of recycling, reuse, remanufacturing/ refurbishing, composting, recovering the energy value.”—EDF Evaluation Tool
It raises the opportunities for growing food in areas where food cannot normally be grown due to a shortage of available water. Since we imagine that production of these D.R.I.P.S. will be done locally, they will improve the local economy by providing jobs.
Conclusion
Even at the end of the D.R.I.P.S. life, it still provides benefits to the community.
