Showing papers on "Extended producer responsibility published in 2020"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors deal with the strategic interventions conforming existing regulations which are crucial for a sustainable E-waste value chain, secured resources, societal well-being, reduced environmental impacts and overall sustainable development.
120 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the current efforts on recycling of the waste by extended producer responsibility (EPR) in South Korea as well as other countries, and the material flow analysis was performed on plastic packaging by life cycle.
Abstract: Environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste is an issue of concern around the world because it causes potential threats to oceans and the environment upon disposal and mismanagement. This study examines the current efforts on recycling of the waste by extended producer responsibility (EPR) in South Korea as well as other countries. Material flow analysis (MFA) was performed on plastic packaging by life cycle. Based on the results in this study, material footprint of common single use plastics (i.e., PET water bottles, plastic cups, plastic bags, and plastic containers and cutlery by food delivery) by consumption was estimated to be on average 11.8 kg or 638 disposable plastics per capita a year, resulting in 32.6 billion disposable plastics and 603,000 ton of waste for disposal in South Korea. Approximately, 3 million ton of plastic packaging waste from household waste streams in 2017 in South Korea was generated and treated by energy recovery with solid refuse fuels and heat recovery, incineration without energy recovery, material recycling, and landfilling. Material recycling and recovery rates of plastic packaging waste from households were relatively low at 13.5% and 50.5%, respectively. It was estimated that as much as 3.6 million ton of CO2eq was generated from 2.7 million ton of plastic waste by incineration in 2017. Approximately 6.6 million ton CO2eq could be avoided by material recycling. Challenges and efforts have been discussed to improve current recycling system of plastic packaging waste towards a circular economy.
114 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a smart household e-waste collection box was designed, fitted with ewaste level measurement sensors to record the disposal data, and a backend server was developed which automatically notifies and schedules eWaste collectors to dispatch and collect the ew waste when the volume of the collection box reaches a certain threshold (e.g. box is 80% filled).
85 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an integrated point of view on reverse logistics and waste management and aim at a better integration, giving a concise but complete overview of the efforts already performed in the area of strategic network design in waste reverse supply chains by means of combinatorial optimization models.
Abstract: In scientific literature two large, partly overlapping areas regarding the environmental and economical attractive removal of waste coexist: reverse logistics and waste management. Both fields study, among other topics, the flows of discarded products leaving the end consumer. This review takes an integrated point of view on reverse logistics and waste management and aims at a better integration. More specifically, it gives a concise but complete overview of the efforts already performed in the area of strategic network design in waste reverse supply chains by means of combinatorial optimization models. Its purpose is to guide interested readers and researchers directly to publications of their interest, and let them identify courses other than the well-worn paths. Among others, we explicitly refer to (1) the importance of environmental, social and performance indicators in multi-objective models, (2) the potential of incorporating the different waste reverse supply chain stakeholders into the network design model, (3) the consideration of future waste reverse supply chain developments like extended producer responsibility schemes and the circular economy and their challenges, and (4) better heuristics to deal with the increasingly complex strategic network design models.
85 citations
TL;DR: The article proposes a generic e-waste management model catering to requirements of countries around the world and illustrates the implementation of such a model for Europe, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia to show that the model can suit both developed and developing countries with contrasting e-Waste management issues.
Abstract: The improper disposal and informal processing of e-waste have raised serious concerns for the environment and human health worldwide. A variety of legislative frameworks have been implemented to regulate e-waste management and upcycling in order to prevent environmental pollution and adopt resource reuse. Current e-waste legislation in different countries mostly include restrictions on e-waste import/export, regulations for recycling specific categories of e-waste, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This article serves as a comprehensive commentary to weigh the advantages and drawbacks of the different e-waste legislation enforced around the world. Though each country's e-waste legislation is enframed to address the country-specific problems, the legislation is mostly not holistic, leading to different management issues. A variety of e-waste management issues prevalent in most countries (with e-waste specific legislation) have been listed and categorized for better understanding of the status quo. Further, the article proposes a generic e-waste management model catering to requirements of countries around the world. The implementation of such a model for Europe, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia has been illustrated to show that the model can suit both developed and developing countries with contrasting e-waste management issues. The challenges that would arise in implementing an effective legislation and mechanisms for overcoming these challenges have also been discussed. To conclude, the role of governing bodies in tackling the future e-waste problems has been highlighted. In total, the article promotes scaling up the feasibility and efficacy of the implementation of e-waste policies across the globe in the coming years.
83 citations
TL;DR: A case example of EPR implementation in Nova Scotia is provided which highlights the potential economic benefits for municipalities ($14-17 M CAD in estimated savings), for improved solid waste management and for increasing recycling rates.
60 citations
TL;DR: A discrete-event simulation model is developed to obtain the expected cost of the disassembly-to-order system and optimal incentives for varying product qualities are computed by utilising this cost in the trade-in policy model.
Abstract: Growing environmental awareness and widening extended producer responsibility have heightened the need for economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable business strategies levered by dig...
59 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a review of the status quo in the plastics industry and assess the sustainability of some bio-based biodegradable plastics, concluding that these alternatives are not always environmentally superior to fossil-based plastics and there is no single solution to plastic waste management.
Abstract: Cumulative plastic production worldwide skyrocketed from about 2 million tonnes in 1950 to 8.3 billion tonnes in 2015, with 6.3 billion tonnes (76%) ending up as waste. Of that waste, 79% is either in landfills or the environment. The purpose of the review is to establish the current global status quo in the plastics industry and assess the sustainability of some bio-based biodegradable plastics. This integrative and consolidated review thus builds on previous studies that have focused either on one or a few of the aspects considered in this paper. Three broad items to strongly consider are: Biodegradable plastics and other alternatives are not always environmentally superior to fossil-based plastics; less investment has been made in plastic waste management than in plastics production; and there is no single solution to plastic waste management. Some strategies to push for include: increasing recycling rates, reclaiming plastic waste from the environment, and bans or using alternatives, which can lessen the negative impacts of fossil-based plastics. However, each one has its own challenges, and country-specific scientific evidence is necessary to justify any suggested solutions. In conclusion, governments from all countries and stakeholders should work to strengthen waste management infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries while extended producer responsibility (EPR) and deposit refund schemes (DPRs) are important add-ons to consider in plastic waste management, as they have been found to be effective in Australia, France, Germany, and Ecuador.
55 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the causes for this different approach, and stakeholder interests and interactions that influenced EPR design and implementation, in Quebec and discuss how various actors have been affected by, and have responded to, Quebec's EPR program, and how it has fared since coming into force in 2011.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, 40 management scenarios focused on plastic packaging waste generated by Italian households were investigated, and their environmental performance and the economic sustainability of their waste value chain were compared to the recycling targets.
Abstract: Several are the challenges related to plastic waste, spanning from littering, high collection costs, and low recycling rates. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is considered a key initiative to tackle some of these issues. To evaluate EPR role and effectiveness, 40 management scenarios focused on plastic packaging waste generated by Italian households were investigated, and their environmental performance (via a consequential life cycle assessment) and the economic sustainability of their waste value chain (via a cost-benefit analysis for each stakeholder) were compared to the recycling targets. Overall, packaging waste management represented an environmental burden. Yet, environmental benefits can be achieved by maximizing the collection rate, while minimizing the impurities collected with the source-segregated plastic and the processing losses in the recycling chain. Furthermore, the cost-benefit analysis showed that the recyclers are the weakest link in the value chain, and recycling of soft plastic and mixed polyolefin is generally not profitable. This increases the risk of exporting low-quality materials outside Europe, where their fate is uncertain. Finally, the results demonstrate that improving plastic packaging recyclability and strengthening the market for secondary plastic is critical for reaching the European recycling targets of 55% in 2030.
50 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the operation mechanism of deposit-refund system from the principle of circulation, and classified the system according to the difference of material flow and deposit flow.
TL;DR: In this article, a case study of the Dutch tyre EPR system is presented, where the authors assess the governance of this sector and reflect on the existing system, including its circularity and value retention outcomes, and recommend continuous improvement of recovery and sustainability targets beyond a single product life cycle, a more transparent and inclusive governance system, as well as a greater focus on sufficiency strategies.
TL;DR: The study of how extended producer responsibility legislation implementations for durable products should differ from those for nondurable products is studied.
Abstract: Problem definition: We study how extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation implementations for durable products should differ from those for nondurable products. Academic/practical relevan...
Abstract: Nearly 290,000 tons of electronic waste was generated in Nigeria during the year 2017, which is likely to increase further due to high population growth rates, accelerated urbanization, high demand for electronic products, as well as disposal at their end-of-life. At the same time, e-waste is associated with negative human health impacts, as well as environmental pollution. Therefore, environmental awareness on this waste stream is crucial in its management and possible minimization. In this paper, we report on a survey which investigated awareness levels and knowledge amongst households in the Jos metropolis, Plateau State (Nigeria). We interviewed 228 respondents by means of close-ended questionnaires. The results indicated that cell phones (93%) and television sets (82%) were mentioned by most respondents. The main reasons for acquiring these electronic devices entailed the replacement of damaged ones (49.6%), frequent product upgrades (37.7%), as well as theft (35.55%), amongst others. The most predominant method of disposing e-waste included illegal dumping in open spaces along with other household wastes (25%), storing it at home indefinitely (27.6%), and selling it to others for possible reuse (17.5%). Although the handling and storage of this waste is currently inappropriate, most respondents (84.2%) were willing to participate in its management provided they are given appropriate knowledge (89.9%) on its safe disposal and recycling. Lastly, we found no significant correlation between existing awareness levels on e-waste and willingness to participate in its management based on the socio-demographical profile of respondents. Thus, we recommend educational interventions on sound e-waste management in the Jos metropolis, along with a systematic analysis of how policy interventions such as the extended producer responsibility schemes can be designed for effective e-waste management and recycling amongst all stakeholders.
TL;DR: In this paper, the acceptability of some ad-hoc policy tools among farmers by investigating their attitudes towards the application of subsidies, tax-credits and pay-back (this latter under an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme) to abate agricultural plastic pollution with the aim of making this sector cleaner and more oriented to the implementation of the sustainability principles.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors shed light on the main aspects of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a widely used principle of environmental policy, looking through the lens of EU waste law and policy, as this is currently evolving.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to shed light on the main aspects of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a widely used principle of environmental policy, looking through the lens of EU waste law and policy, as this is currently evolving. The main discussion will revolve around the opportunities of moving towards a more effective EPR and adopting more effective policy instruments. Emphasis will be given to the definition of EPR, to its content and to implementation schemes in EU law especially as regards the role of EPR in achieving the challenging targets which exist relating to waste management and product design requirements under the Circular Economy Package, while at the same time highlighting the inter-relationship between waste and product laws.
TL;DR: Market-based instruments, which are now mostly meant to boost the recycling sector of the considered Member States, should be designed to improve waste prevention performances, ensuring the achievement of the highest level of waste hierarchy promoted by the European Union.
TL;DR: In this article, a case study method helps to extend the current theory by critically analyzing various policy options in waste management, and the resulting guidelines are applied to evaluate existing policies for drinks packaging and waste electrical and electronic equipment.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a quantitative, holistic framework to systematically estimate life-cycle impacts and costs associated with e-waste management, using data from the state of Washington's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.
Abstract: Policies and regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) have been implemented to potentially increase the recycling rate of electronic waste (e-waste), but the cost and environmental impacts of associated collection, transportation, material recovery, material re-processing, and disposal could outweigh the benefits of recycling if the e-waste management system is not effectively designed and implemented. This paper presents a quantitative, holistic framework to systematically estimate life-cycle impacts and costs associated with e-waste management. This new framework was tested using data from the state of Washington's EPR program to represent e-waste collection, transportation, processing and disposal. Sensitivity of process-level life-cycle model outputs to parameter and input variability was also conducted. Drop-off using fossil-fuel-powered personal vehicles was found to be a key contributor to cost and carbon dioxide emissions. Decision-makers must account for drop-off and consider the feasibility of alternate e-waste aggregation strategies to ensure life-cycle benefits of e-waste recycling are maximized.
TL;DR: This study uses the evolutionary game model to analyse the effectiveness of the reward and punishment mechanism for the implementation of the EPR system and builds a producer-led reverse closed-loop supply chain model under effective conditions.
TL;DR: The sustainability of the waste management system imposed by EU legislation was assessed using the Italian context as a case study by analysing the period from the year 2007 to the year 2016 using an integrated sustainability indicator (ISI) based on environmental, social and economic life cycle approach.
30 Sep 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss results of qualitative research conducted in the metropolitan regions of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2017 and 2018, illustrating how waste picker organizations provide selective waste collection services to communities and businesses and thus contribute to resource recovery and social inclusion, at the heart of the circular economy.
Abstract: While the circular economy (CE) is discussed in the global North as an innovative approach to waste management, the idea of circular resource flows has long been central in the work of waste pickers all over the world. They work independently or in groups, collecting, classifying, and reinserting a wide range of discarded materials into the economy. These grassroots initiatives have accumulated valuable knowledge and offer innovative perspectives on handling waste, informed and framed by their everyday experiences. Yet their efforts are hardly recognized as contributions to the circular economy, nor are most of the services they provide remunerated. Despite their precarious working and living conditions, waste pickers provide a specialized workforce, proven to be efficient in the reclamation of discarded and wasted materials, in reverse logistics such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) and service contracts involving municipalities and industries. With some exceptions, the organization of human labour that underpins the circular flows of matter and energy is an absent analytical dimension in most of the literature in this field. The dominant CE concept focuses primarily on environmental and ecological sustainability outcomes but lacks attention to social sustainability and livelihood aspects. Our paper bridges this gap in the literature by discussing results of qualitative research conducted in the metropolitan regions of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2017 and 2018, illustrating how waste picker organizations provide selective waste collection services to communities and businesses and thus contribute to resource recovery and social inclusion, at the heart of the CE.
TL;DR: This case study is focused on the entire Spanish model of one-way food packaging waste management, from collection of each fraction in specific containers to final treatment, considering eight different materials and reveals that the recycling stage is the main stage contributing to the environmental impacts.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the challenges inhibiting sustainable urban mining in e-waste recycling in Sri Lanka and remedial action to address these challenges with the help of the integrated sustainable waste management model [ISWMM].
TL;DR: This paper study how two important determinants of recycling costs, fixed recycling costs and material-stream heterogeneity, influence producers’ recycling network, and uses the game-theoretical methodology to analyze the endogenous process of coalition-formation.
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study regarding innovations promoted in the extended-producer responsibility (EPR) implementation by Sao Paulo state, Brazil is presented, where one of the researchers was an active part of the process, through the "changing as three steps" model, aiming to understand how change occurs and what its critical factors (facilitators, barriers and improvement opportunities).
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a tripartite game model to explore the strategy selection of producers, recyclers, and the government, as well as the mechanisms of implementation of an EPR system in China, and its influencing factors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report how these mitigation strategies are employed in the Arctic to minimize plastic waste impacts, and move Arctic communities toward better materials management and circular economic practices, and report the evidence of harm from waste plastics exacerbated by the ubiquity of plastic marine pollution in all biomes, and the rapid reporting of ecological and social costs, together suggest that we know enough to act quickly to manage and mitigate plastics from all sources to the Arctic.
TL;DR: In this paper, a Nash bargaining model was developed to capture the decision dynamics underlying joint recycling facility investment, and the authors showed that despite its advantage in reducing producers' fixed investment costs, joint investment in the collective system may lead to a worse recycling infrastructure development outcome than independent investment in an individual system.
Abstract: To tackle the severe pollution caused by electronic waste (e‐waste), several developing countries have introduced e‐waste legislation based on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). A major challenge to implement EPR in developing countries is the lack of formal recycling infrastructure. In this paper, we study if a collective form of EPR implementation where producers may jointly invest in recycling facilities can promote their incentives to do so. We develop a Nash bargaining model that captures the decision dynamics underlying joint recycling facility investment. We show that despite its advantage in reducing producers’ fixed investment costs, joint investment in the collective system may lead to a worse recycling infrastructure development outcome than independent investment in an individual system. This can particularly happen when the collective system involves products whose recycling costs are highly differentiated. We further show that cost sharing based on the principle of Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) may undermine the recycling infrastructure development outcome in the collective system compared to simple proportional cost sharing rules. In practice, it is generally believed that IPR leads to better design incentives than proportional cost sharing rules. Accordingly, our result indicates that there exists a tradeoff between these two cost sharing rules, and promoting recycling infrastructure development via collective systems may come at the expense of design incentives and vice versa.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight several research exploring the determinants of WEEE recycling behavior, also in relation with different practices (e.g., online recycling); on the other hand, other typologies of behaviors are less analyzed in the literature, such as the purchase of used EEE products, donation of EEE items, participation in WEEE takeback activities established by firm operating in this sector, etc.).
Abstract: Nowadays, management of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the related waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a growing concern around the world and clearly an open issue to tackle in order to move towards a more circular economy. The goal of this review paper is to analyze and summarize research conducted exploring behaviors connected with purchases, extension of useful life, and management of end of life of electrical and electronic equipment. The results highlight several research exploring the determinants of WEEE recycling behavior, also in relation with different practices (e.g., online recycling); on the other hand other typologies of behaviors are less analyzed in the literature (e.g., purchase of used EEE products, donation of EEE products, participation in WEEE takeback activities established by firm operating in this sector, etc.). Moreover, the results suggest that the theoretical model adopted in many studies reveals its usefulness to predict the determinist of such circular consumer’s behavior in relation to the purchase, extension of life, and end of life management of electrical and electronic products; however, in many cases, additional variables are needed to fully explain the behavior.