Electronic waste vulnerability: circular economy as a strategic solution

Chakrabarty, Arindam; Nandi, Sunil

doi:10.1007/s10098-020-01976-y

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Less experienced workers lack sufficient knowledge of recycling techniques (Abdulrahman et al ., 2014; Gunarathne et al ., 2020). Additionally, developed countries like Switzerland have implemented green recycling practices, but developing countries continue to struggle with a lack of understanding of such practices (Chakrabarty and Nandi, 2021; Jin et al ., 2020). Moreover, owing to the lack of new machinery for recycling, the formal sectors continue to use outdated technologies and procedures (Azadnia et al ., 2021).…”

Section: Discussion and A Way Forwardmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review on sustainable E-waste management: challenges, circular economy practices, and a conceptual framework

Gaur,

Yadav,

Mittal

et al. 2023

MEQ

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PurposeWaste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, collectively known as E-waste, remains a persistent environmental, economic and social problem. Sustainable E-waste management (EWM) has numerous benefits, such as preventing electronic waste from entering landfills, reducing the need for virgin materials by recovering valuable materials from recycling and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Circular economy (CE) practices are considered the initial steps toward sustainable EWM, but some hurdles have been reported in the adoption of these practices. Therefore, the current study aims to identify the common CE practices, sustainability of the EWM process and the challenges in EWM, and to develop a conceptual framework for effective EWM.Design/methodology/approachVery few studies have proposed frameworks that acknowledge the challenges and CE practices of EWM. To fill this gap, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed, and 169 research articles were explored.FindingsA total of seven challenges in the adoption of effective EWM were identified: rules and policy, infrastructure, consumer behaviour, informal sectors, community culture, technology and economy. Eight common CE practices were also found for effective EWM: reuse, recycle, remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, reduce, recover and repurpose.Originality/valueA conceptual framework guiding sustainable EWM was proposed, which includes solutions for the identified challenges, and CE practices with sustainable benefits.

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Section: Discussion and A Way Forwardmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review on sustainable E-waste management: challenges, circular economy practices, and a conceptual framework

Gaur,

Yadav,

Mittal

et al. 2023

MEQ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The informal sector should apply the best affordable technologies and upgrade and qualify low-and medium-skilled laborers [36]. In addition, the practical feasibility of circular economy approaches and the development of community commitment through stakeholders' active engagement should be promoted [37,38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and life-cycle costs of e-waste management in Thailand

Mangmeechai

2022

Sustain Environ Res

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There is no clear direction in the management of electrical and electronic waste products (e-waste), as there are no regulations on ways to do so. This research attempts to understand the trade-off between the economic value and the environmental effects of the current disposal of e-waste to find ways to optimize waste management, focusing on cellphones, television cathode ray tubes, desktop computers, and air conditioners. A life cycle greenhouse gas and life cycle costs were conducted. Under the e-waste management status quo, most household e-waste is kept in houses because owners do not know where to discard it. In addition, informal sectors, such as domestic farmers or workers, have been actively involved in collecting and dismantling e-waste for more than a decade, leading to poor management standards for both health and the environment. Without e-waste management regulations, informal dismantlers of products gain slight profits by collecting and selling parts and discarding all non-recyclable waste in municipal garbage dumps. The current practice actually adds greenhouse gas to the atmosphere mainly due to improper logistics management and discarding of refrigerants. The logistics are inefficient because the dismantling communities and recycling locations are far apart. Most e-waste is generated, and most recycling industries are located in the central region (the richest areas), while the dismantling communities are located in the northeastern region (the poorest areas). Furthermore, the life cycle of greenhouse gas and the life cycle costs of e-waste are affected by transportation, and not all e-waste parts can be recycled within the country. High-tech mineral extraction cannot be practiced in the country, and thus, circuit boards and batteries are exported for recycling. To promote a circular economy, e-waste management regulations should be implemented, the costs of proper e-waste management should be internalized, and a full recycling industry should be established in the country.

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“…These factors can include insufficient or inadequate research, budget constraints, impulse buying, lack of understanding of specifications, brand perceptions, and limits to future upgrades. Students and those responsible for procuring computing technologies in educational institutions should hone their ability to search and retrieve information from reputable sources [19], such as CNet or PCMag, which is known as information literacy. For instance, biased gadget reviews on YouTube can mislead consumers into purchasing unnecessary technology [18].…”

Section: Factors That Shape Technology Purchase Decisions: Empowering...mentioning

confidence: 99%

From E-Waste to Eco-Wonder: Resurrecting Computers for a Sustainable Future

Reyna,

Hanham,

Orlando

2024

Sustainability

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Educational institutions are massive consumers of computing technologies, often replacing their computing infrastructure in a 3-to-5-year timeframe. Once decommissioned, many components of computing technologies are no longer useable and become electronic waste. Replacing computer infrastructure within these short timeframes is a significant e-waste sustainability issue that educational institutions need to address. This article aims to introduce and provoke new thinking regarding e-waste management and its implications for education. The authors introduce the term sustainable device literacy to conceptualise how educators and educational institutions can take an educative approach to refreshing computing technologies beyond their presumed obsolescence. Two example case studies that demonstrate the upgrade of a laptop from 2012 and a desktop computer from 2015 are included to provoke new discussions regarding e-waste and education. Using benchmarking tools, the findings from the case studies show that computing technologies that may be considered obsolete can be upgraded to include much of the functionality of current computers. The broader implications for sustainability are discussed.

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Electronic waste vulnerability: circular economy as a strategic solution

Cited by 14 publications

References 11 publications

A systematic review on sustainable E-waste management: challenges, circular economy practices, and a conceptual framework

A systematic review on sustainable E-waste management: challenges, circular economy practices, and a conceptual framework

The life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and life-cycle costs of e-waste management in Thailand

From E-Waste to Eco-Wonder: Resurrecting Computers for a Sustainable Future

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