Design decisions made at the beginning of a product’s development often determine what remains possible later. Material selection, product architecture and composition all influence how products can be identified, documented and potentially processed after use.
This principle is commonly known as Design for Recycling: an approach that considers future material pathways during the design stage rather than only at the end of a product’s service life.
Why material composition matters
One of the most important factors in Design for Recycling is material composition.
Products made from a single material type generally provide a simpler material structure than products composed of multiple materials. This can make identification, documentation and processing more straightforward because there are fewer material streams involved.
As a result, material composition becomes an important consideration during product development.
Monomaterials and multimaterials
Material systems can broadly be divided into monomaterial and multimaterial designs.
Monomaterial products are built around a single material family, creating a more uniform material structure. Multimaterial products combine different materials to achieve specific functional characteristics.
Both approaches have advantages depending on the application. However, the complexity of a product generally increases as more material types are introduced into a single system.
For this reason, material simplicity is becoming an increasingly relevant topic within product design discussions.
Design begins at the start
Design for Recycling is not primarily about waste management. It is about making conscious design decisions from the very beginning.
Questions such as:
- What materials are used?
- How transparent is the material composition?
- How easily can materials be identified?
- How is product information documented?
are becoming increasingly important throughout many industries.
The answers to these questions often influence what options remain available later.
The relevance for artificial grass
Artificial grass provides a clear example of how design choices influence material complexity.
Traditional systems often combine multiple material types within a single product structure. ONE-DNA™ followed a different approach, using a 100% PE (one polymer) design supported by transparent material composition and documented product information.
This approach reflects the broader Design for Recycling principle: considering material simplicity and transparency during product development rather than after installation.
Looking ahead
As regulations, documentation requirements and product transparency continue to evolve, Design for Recycling is becoming increasingly relevant across many sectors.
The concept is ultimately simple: decisions made during product design influence what remains possible throughout the rest of the product lifecycle.
For ONE-DNA™, that principle remains at the heart of how products are developed today.
Update, October 2026: this article reflects the ONE-DNA™ range at the time of publication, based on polyethylene (PE). ONE-DNA™ now also includes a 100% PO route; see Technology for the current material routes.
Related: Technology · Sustainability
