Showing papers on "Electronic waste published in 2015"

Recycling of WEEEs: An economic assessment of present and future e-waste streams

Abstract: Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipments (WEEEs) is currently considered to be one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world, with an estimated growth rate going from 3% up to 5% per year. The recycling of Electric or electronic waste (E-waste) products could allow the diminishing use of virgin resources in manufacturing and, consequently, it could contribute in reducing the environmental pollution. Given that EU is trying, since the last two decades, to develop a circular economy based on the exploitation of resources recovered by wastes, a comprehensive framework supporting the decision-making process of multi-WEEE recycling centres will be analysed in this paper. An economic assessment will define the potential revenues coming from the recovery of 14 e-products (e.g. LCD notebooks, LED notebooks, CRT TVs, LCD TVs, LED TVs, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, LED monitors, cell phones, smart phones, PV panels, HDDs, SSDs and tablets) on the base of current and future disposed volumes in Europe. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis will be used to test the impact of some critical variables (e.g. price of recovered materials, input materials composition, degree of purity obtained by the recycling process, volumes generated, and percentage of collected waste) on specific economic indexes. A discussion of the economic assessment results shows the main challenges in the recycling sector and streamlines some concrete solutions.

E-Waste and Harm to Vulnerable Populations: A Growing Global Problem

Abstract: Background:Electronic waste (e-waste) is produced in staggering quantities, estimated globally to be 41.8 million tonnes in 2014. Informal e-waste recycling is a source of much-needed income in man...

“Control-Alt-Delete”: Rebooting Solutions for the E-Waste Problem

Abstract: A number of efforts have been launched to solve the global electronic waste (e-waste) problem. The efficiency of e-waste recycling is subject to variable national legislation, technical capacity, consumer participation, and even detoxification. E-waste management activities result in procedural irregularities and risk disparities across national boundaries. We review these variables to reveal opportunities for research and policy to reduce the risks from accumulating e-waste and ineffective recycling. Full regulation and consumer participation should be controlled and reinforced to improve local e-waste system. Aiming at standardizing best practice, we alter and identify modular recycling process and infrastructure in eco-industrial parks that will be expectantly effective in countries and regions to handle the similar e-waste stream. Toxicity can be deleted through material substitution and detoxification during the life cycle of electronics. Based on the idea of “Control-Alt-Delete”, four patterns of th...

Reverse logistics system design for the waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Turkey

Abstract: Depending on the high consumption in the world, the amount of waste increases. One of the critical waste types to be handled is the electrical and electronic waste (WEEE). The recovery of WEEE is very important both from environmental and economic aspects and has become mandatory in most of the countries in the world. Reverse logistics which is mainly the backward flows of used products from consumers to producers is an important stage while constructing a recovery system. The network structure of reverse logistics system plays an important role in the total cost of the recovery system. These structures mainly include the locations of facilities and the flows between the related points. With this study, a reverse logistics system is designed for WEEE in Turkey which is one of the fast developing countries in the world. Ten scenarios are taken into account regarding different collection rates via a mixed integer linear programming model. Different types of storage sites and recycling facilities are considered within the model differing from the existing studies. The optimum locations of storage sites and recycling facilities are obtained for each scenario satisfying the minimum recycling rates stated by the European Union directive for each product category.

Social impact assessment of informal recycling of electronic ICT waste in Pakistan using UNEP SETAC guidelines

Abstract: New and improved Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is being produced every day. With every new product on the market, an older product becomes obsolete. These obsolete products are being added to the world's fastest growing waste stream, ICT electronic waste (e-waste). This is formally recycled in developed countries, stockpiled, landfilled or shipped to developing countries, such as Pakistan, here it is recycled informally through crude processes (e.g. manual dismantling, burning, dumping and dipping in acids to extract gold and other precious metals). This study assessed the social impacts of informal e-waste recycling in Pakistan using data obtained in a detailed on-site inventory of the processes directly involved in informal e-waste recycling. The inventory and assessment were conducted according to United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) guidelines on Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA). The results presented in this paper fill an important data gap and can be integrated with data on other stages of ICT product lifecycle to produce a full SLCA of such products.

Waste Management of Printed Wiring Boards: A Life Cycle Assessment of the Metals Recycling Chain from Liberation through Refining

Abstract: Due to economic and societal reasons, informal activities including open burning, backyard recycling, and landfill are still the prevailing methods used for electronic waste treatment in developing countries. Great efforts have been made, especially in China, to promote formal approaches for electronic waste management by enacting laws, developing green recycling technologies, initiating pilot programs, etc. The formal recycling process can, however, engender environmental impact and resource consumption, although information on the environmental loads and resource consumption is currently limited. To quantitatively assess the environmental impact of the processes in a formal printed wiring board (PWB) recycling chain, life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to a formal recycling chain that includes the steps from waste liberation through materials refining. The metal leaching in the refining stage was identified as a critical process, posing most of the environmental impact in the recycling chain. Global...

Occupational health hazards related to informal recycling of E-waste in India: An overview

Abstract: The innovation in science and technology coupled with the change in lifestyle of an individual has made an incredible change in the electronic industry show casing an assorted range of new products every day to the world. India too has been impacted by this digital revolution where consumption of electronics goods grows at a rapid rate producing a large amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment. This substantial generation of electronic waste referred to as e-waste accompanied with the lack of stringent environmental laws and regulations for handling the hazardous e-waste has resulted in the cropping of number of informal sectors. Over 95% of the e-waste is treated and processed in the majority of urban slums of the country, where untrained workers carry out the dangerous procedures without personal protective equipment, which are detrimental not only to their health but also to the environment. This paper focuses on the occupational health hazards due to the informal recycling of e-waste and then proceeds to show the safe disposal methods for handling the large quantities of e-waste generated in this electronic era and thus finds a sustainable solution for the formal processing of e-waste.

Barriers to electronics reuse of transboundary e-waste shipment regulations: An evaluation based on industry experiences

Abstract: In our globalized economy, increasing volumes of used electronics are shipped across national borders. While global and regional regulations prioritize electronics reuse as a prudent approach for conserving resources and reducing environmental toxicity, their effect on cross-border shipping activities of the reuse industry is not well-known. This study analyzes data from nine cases collected in 2012–13 via interviews and a survey of reuse organizations to identify the effects of these regulations on transboundary reuse activities, which respondents perceive as barriers to electronics reuse. Overall, three broad areas were identified in which regulations may directly influence the reuse organizations that participated in this study: (i) definitions, classification, operating procedures, and enforcement; (ii) evaluation of shipments; and (iii) requirement for functionality testing. These findings suggest that, contrary to the goal of encouraging reuse of discarded electrical and electronic equipment, in some cases regulations may be contributing to raising barriers for reuse organizations’ business. To help eliminate these barriers, policy recommendations proposed in this paper include: appropriate legislative amendments; inclusion of issues related to reuse in the development of relevant national policies; establishment of a comprehensive international legislative database; creation of refurbishment operations close to the install base and integration of informal recyclers in the reuse sector; and an introduction of a regulated green e-waste transboundary channel.

Electronic Waste: Generation and Management

Abstract: The electronics industry is one of the most important industries in the world. It has grown steadily in recent decades, generates a great number of jobs, promotes technological development and, at the same time, fuels a high demand for raw materials that are considered scarce or rare (e.g. precious metals and rare earths elements).

Generation and management of electrical–electronic waste (e-waste) in Turkey

Abstract: Today, technology is characterized with speed and consistent improvement concepts. The speed of this change and improvement causes devices out of date in a short time, and creates a new waste type related waste piles growing every day. Management of these wastes is critical both for their economic values and raw material sustainability; however for a rational sustainable waste management, we have to determine the amount of waste at first. Although it is known that massive amounts of e-waste are being generated worldwide, in a lot of countries there are no reliable results about these amounts. The potential of the communities generating e-waste changes depending on their technological tendency, life standards and especially for developing countries, scrap export. Half of Turkey’s population is younger than 30 and the country has a big group of potential technology users. There are nearly 67.7 million mobile phone subscribers countrywide. Besides, 47.2 % of the households have internet access, 58.9 % have computer, 90.77 % have television, 98.66 % have refrigerator and 95.06 % have washing machine. This study tries to explain the technological familiarity of Turkey’s population and their technological product possession together with related e-waste production potential. Study also calculates the estimated e-waste amounts raised by years.

Generation and Management of Electronic Waste in India: An Assessment from Stakeholders’ Perspective

Abstract: Electronic waste (E-waste) or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) refers to obsolete and discarded appliances that operates on electricity. Due to our constantly evolving dependence on...

Consumer attitudes and perceptions on electronic waste: An assessment

Abstract: The electronics industry is one of fastest growing manufacturing industries in India. However, the increase in the sales of electronic goods and their rapid obsolescence has resulted in the large-scale generation of electronic waste, popularly known as e-waste. E-waste has become a matter of concern due to the presence of toxic and hazardous substances present in electronic goods which, if not properly managed, can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. In India, the e-waste market remains largely unorganized, with companies being neither registered nor authorized and typically operating on an informal basis. In many instances, e-waste is treated as municipal waste, because India does not have dedicated legislation for the management of e-waste. It is therefore necessary to review the public health risks and strategies in a bid to addressthis growing hazard. There is the strong need for adopting sustainability practices in order to tackle the growing threat of e-waste. In the present work, we attempt to identify the various sources and reasons for e-waste generation, in addition to understanding the perception of the public towards e-waste management. This study aims to induce an awareness of sustainability practices and sustainability issues in the management of E-waste, especially waste related to personal computers (PCs) and mobile phones. From the results of the study, we concluded that the majority (90%) of the public is ignorant about e-waste and its issues; hence, there is a strong requirement for spreading awareness about the growing hazard of E-waste.

A Pilot Assessment of Occupational Health Hazards in the US Electronic Scrap Recycling Industry

Abstract: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveyed a randomly selected sample of electronic scrap (e-scrap) recycling facilities nationwide to characterize work processes, exposures, and controls. Despite multiple attempts to contact 278 facilities, only 47 responded (17% response rate). Surveyed facilities reported recycling a wide variety of electronics. The most common recycling processes were manual dismantling and sorting. Other processes included shredding, crushing, and automated separation. Many facilities reported that they had health and safety programs in place. However, some facilities reported the use of compressed air for cleaning, a practice that can lead to increased employee dust exposures, and some facilities allowed food and drinks in the production areas, a practice that can lead to ingestion of contaminants. Although our results may not be generalizable to all US e-scrap recycling facilities, they are informative regarding health and safety programs in the indu...

Waste electrical and electronic equipment management in Botswana: Prospects and challenges

Abstract: The management of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) is a major challenge in developing and transition countries. The paper investigates recent strategies to manage this waste stream in an environmentally sound way. Obsolete electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) are a complex waste category containing both hazardous and valuable substances. Many countries and regions in the world are undertaking extensive scientific research to plan and develop effective collection and treatment systems for end-of-life EEE. In developing countries such as Botswana, effective strategies that cover all stages throughout the lifecycle of products, particularly at the end-of-life, still lag behind. Infrastructure, pre-processing, and end-processing facilities and innovative technologies for end-of-life management of e-waste are noticeably absent due to lack of investment and high costs of its management. The objective of the paper is to present the e-waste situation in Botswana, highlighting (a) measures taken in the form of legislative and policy regulations; (b) existing practices to manage e-waste; and (c) effective solutions for e-waste management in emerging economies. Studies from other countries on e-waste management issues provided insights on the "best" technical and logistical pre-processing and end-processing strategies to treat hazardous waste. The paper also highlights key societal factors that affect successful implementation of cost-effective collection and value recovery of end-of-life EEE. These include unavailability of national "e-waste policy," absence of formal take-back system, absence of financing and subsidies, inadequate source separation programmes, absence of technical and logistical integration of pre-processing and end-processing facilities, and limited infrastructure and access to technologies and investment. Effective strategies such as an "integrated approach" (mixed options), access to technologies, establishment of pre-processing and end-processing facilities and optimization of logistics, optimizing diversion of e-waste from disposal sites, and investment in e-waste are suggested to manage this complex waste stream in an environmentally sound way.

"“What do I do with my old mobile phones? I just putthem in a drawer”: Attitudes and perspectives towardsthe disposal of mobile phones in Liverpool, UK"

Abstract: "The rapid rise in the use of mobile (cell) phones, combined with their shortening lifespan,due to a high replacement frequency, are posing disposal management challenges at a time when mobile phones are the fastest growing component of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). In this study, 250 people in Liverpool, UK, were surveyed using mixed methods quantitative and qualitative approach to investigate their attitudes and perspectives towards their use and disposal of mobile phones. Most people change their phones every one to two years. However, despite asserting that mobile phones should be recycled, repaired or reused, and demonstrating awareness of the hazards and toxicity of mobile phones, 86% of people store their 'retired' phones, with almost half, having three to four phones stockpiled. The small size and light weight of mobile phones make stockpiling an easy option and create obstacles for 'take-back' and other more formal ways of reuse or recycling."

Causes, impact and management of electronic wastes: case study of some nigerian communities

Abstract: Electronic waste (E-waste) is a relatively new and emerging municipal waste in Nigeria. As much as 400, 000 units of used electronic equipment arrive through the Lagos port into Nigeria each month. A large percentage of these imported equipment are completely unserviceable, thus contributing to waste load in the country. E-wastes are leading sources of heavy metal contamination in the environment when improperly managed. The current study examines the reasons for the upsurge in demand for electronics in waste. Information regarding factors that contribute to the generation of e-wastes was gathered through the administration of a structured questionnaire to sections of Ogun State, Nigeria. Findings from the study show that young people between the ages of 15 - 35 are responsible for the highest demand for electronics in the country. It was also shown that the national policy on e-wastes management (especially with respect to enforcement), is still in its formative stages and that public health is highly vulnerable to the effects of e-wastes.

E-Waste Recycling as Criteria for Green Computing Approach: Analysis by QFD Tool

Abstract: Green computing is an environmentally responsible approach to reduce electronic waste and power consumption that helps in use of computing resources efficiently. With the increase in use of computer and other electronic devices the energy consumption and carbon footprint are also increasing. E-waste recycling is one of the important approaches towards green computing. This paper focuses on the approaches of green computing and how it minimizes the environmental impacts of computers and other electronic devices effectively by e-waste recycling. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) analytical tool is used to find different parameters from primary research data those affect the e-waste recycling practice as green computing approach. The result will help the stakeholders in implementing green computing approach.

Removal of heavy metal from E-Waste: A review

Abstract: The rapid industrialization has raise the demand for heavy metals, but the reserves of high-grade ores are diminishing. E-waste term refers to electrical and electronic products which has multiple components some are toxic and hazardous that can cause serious health and environmental issues if not handled properly. Multiple components such as discarded computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipment and batteries if improperly disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil and groundwater. Many of these products can be reused, refurnished, or recycled. Ewaste contains precious materials such as gold, silver, copper, glass and plastics and also contains harmful materials like arsenic, mercury, cadmium and lead, which is affected to environment and human life. This review paper contain the e-waste challenging problems such as handling, transportation, recovery and some key factors which are responsible for E-waste in India, and methods for recovery of metals and other precious materials from E-waste.

Prediction of electronic waste disposals from residential areas in malaysia

Abstract: The most fundamental element in planning electronic waste management is to acquire reliable data on the total volume of electronic waste generated from various sources such as residential premises, commercial buildings and industrial areas. Hence, a crucial aspect of electronic waste management is to predict the accumulation of electronic wastes in the future. This study aims to predict electronic waste to be disposed of for the next 15 years, focusing only on electronic waste from residential areas. A few rural and urban areas of residential premises were randomly selected as a case study. The result for this study was deduced from the survey and interviews conducted in the vicinity of the study area. Thirty sets of questionnaire were distributed randomly at each selected area. The residential area was divided into three categories i.e. residents with low income (LI), residents with medium income (MI) and residents with high income (HI). The survey was done by distributing the questionnaire to investigate electronic equipment usage and its lifespan by users as well as the waste management option preferred by the residents. The findings of the study showed that approximately 51% of the generated electronic waste will go through four stages of waste management options i.e. reuse, repair, remanufacturing and recycling, while approximately 49% of the generated electronic waste will go through the disposal option i.e. landfill sites. The result of the study showed that the predicted lifespan for the electronic equipment used by residents in Malaysia is between the ranges of 0-15 years. On average, as much as 5% of used home electronic equipment will be disposed of after 6 years of usage, 41% after 9 years and 3% after 12 years. From the study, the information regarding the percentage of electronic waste that will be reused, repaired, remanufactured, recycled and disposed of for the next 15 years can be gained and is presented via scientific analysis.

Fostering sustainable electronic waste management through intelligent sorting equipment

Abstract: Joint forces of industry and academia can pave the way to truly foster sustainability of Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) management. Against this background, the WEEE ID project funded by VINNOVA (Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems) developed an intelligent, automated sorting equipment for used electronics' segregation and grading. It prevents operators from being exposed to hazardous substances from segregation processes and enables higher recycling rates within downstream processes thanks to increased sorting efficiency and accuracy. This abstract explores how the knowledge and technology developed within the WEEE ID project may have a positive impact on WEEE (or “e-waste”) management sustainability performance.