This paper proposes a state-of-the-art decision-making support tool for recovery of end-of-life products, and more specifically for recovery of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). At present, the global ELV recovery industry is seeking to identify a proper treatment technology to recover the non-metal fraction of an ELV, and consequently, extend the ELV recovery rate above the typical value of 70% to 75%. The proposed decision-making support framework consists of four main stages: benchmarking study, development of the primary set of options, evaluation of options, and systems modelling. Stages one to three of the proposed conceptual framework are focused mainly on identifying the sustainable ELV treatment technology/strategy based on industry best practice. The last stage is focused on business sustainability assessment of the selected treatment option. The combined outcome of these stages is the integrated sustainable treatment option (ISTO). This means that both the treatment option and the business based on the selected treatment option are sustainable. This paper details the framework stages and the results of an associated case study illustrating the application of the developed framework in an Australian context. The paper also discusses those characteristics that distinguish the proposed conceptual framework from other types of decision-making support tools such as life cycle assessment (LCA).

Keywords: recovery rate, end-of-life vehicles, ELVs, decision making, sustainability criteria, systems modelling, sustainable development, end-of-life products, Australia