An integrated framework for planning of recycling activities in electrical and electronic sector

TLDR: A computer-aided recycling process planning system which generates bespoke recycling process plans for WEEE has been developed, which is described and its functionality demonstrated using a typical WEEE product.

Abstract: In Europe 7.3 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) were created in 2002, and the fact that the growth rate of WEEE is 3-5% per annum, with a significant amount of this waste used to be dumped into landfills without any pre-treatment, has resulted in the introduction of a European WEEE directive. The directive requires companies who manufacture or import electrical and electronic equipment to take financial and legal responsibility for its environmental-friendly recovery and recycling. The current recycling applications of WEEE are often developed on an ad hoc basis and mainly attributable to the hidden economic value within used products. However, at present the recycling facilities are faced with the challenge to improve WEEE recycling activities to ensure that a larger proportion of components and materials are being recovered at a reasonable cost and yet at the same time legislative requirements are being met. A major assertion made in the research reported in this paper is that a systematic framework is needed to aid the decision making involved in adopting the best possible end-of-life strategies for WEEE. The paper presents one such integrated framework for the planning of the processes involved in the recycling of WEEE. Based on this framework, a computer-aided recycling process planning (CARPP) system which generates bespoke recycling process plans for WEEE has been developed, which is also described and its functionality demonstrated using a typical WEEE product.

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Frequently asked questions

Q1. What are the contributions in "An integrated framework for planning of recycling activities in electrical and electronic sector" ?

In this paper, an integrated framework for planning of recycling activities in electrical and electronic sector is presented, where the authors present the need for a besided system with respect to a reasonable performance. 

Q2. What have the authors stated for future works in "An integrated framework for planning of recycling activities in electrical and electronic sector" ?

These recycling process plans can then be stored in an operational database and applied to similar product families in the future. A further use of the CARPP system which currently being investigated is as the operational support on the shop floor within the contemporary semi-automated recovery facilities to provide detailed and dynamic instructions via live computer platform to operators. Finally, the authors are of the opinion that the information and knowledge contained in the CARPP system will provide invaluable support for the design of future electrical and electronic products to improve their EOL recovery performance. 

Q3. What are the main reasons for the contaminations in post-shredder material streams?

Inefficiencies in the current shredding and separation processes are responsible for the contaminations in post-shredder material streams. 

Q4. What are the main factors that should be considered when determining the maximum environmental benefits of a?

For product recovery and recycling, several decision factors should be considered when determining the maximum environmental benefits that can be achieved for a given economic cost when a product reaches its EOL. 

Q5. What are the main reasons for the waste disposal process?

The inefficiencies of the mechanical separation processes and economic concerns over the available recycling technologies necessitate the disposal of the remaining residue through incineration and/or landfill. 

Q6. what is the role of a semi-automated de-pollution line?

Such facilities are expected to process a wide range of WEEE through a semi-automated de-pollution/disassembly line before hulks are sent for shredding and material separation, and therefore the provision of timely information on the required processes to operators will significantly improve the throughput time and consequently the revenues from these facilities. 

Q7. What is the reason why the majority of recovery facilities have never attempted to disassemble parts and materials?

The manualdisassembly of parts and materials has never been attempted by the majority of recovery facilities mainly due to the lack of awareness among recyclers about the potential value of reuse through repair and remanufacturing. 

Q8. What are the main factors considered to be of almost equal importance?

Human health and ecosystem quality are considered to be of almost equal importance, while resources are considered to be half as important. 

Q9. What are the main reasons for the lack of ad hoc applications of WEEE recycling?

The complexity of materials contained within each product and the huge variety of products in EEE, make ad hoc applications of WEEE recycling highly ineffective in terms of both ecological and economical considerations. 

Q10. What is the common way to assess the environmental performance of a recycling process plan?

The assessment module generally considers three end-of-life options namely, recycling through shredding (current recycling practice), recycling through recycling process plan (as suggested by CARPP) and landfilling,.