As Thijs Feenstra explained on the previous page, the complexity level tool can help to get started with applying recycled plastics. You can use it to evaluate a product or even an entire product portfolio to identify plastic parts that have relatively low requirements (mechanical, aesthetic, etc.). This means they are easier to manufacture out of recycled plastics.

The tool distinguishes between four complexity levels (as seen in the image below). ‘Level one’ parts are considered the easiest to make with recycled plastics, while ‘Level four’ parts are currently considered too complex.

 

 

You can determine the complexity level of any part by answering the following questions and then looking at the flowchart that is shown below.

1. Is the type of plastic available in a recycled grade (i.e. a target group plastic)?
2. Are there any legal limitations? (Product compliance).
3. What are the visual requirements?
4. What are the critical to quality (CTQ) requirements?

As you can see, the requirements on the right have different colours that correspond with the four complexity levels.