Policy Brief on Critical Raw Materials and their integration in Extended Producer Responsibility and Eco-design Policy

Campbell‐Johnston, Kieran; Lindgreen, Erik Roos; Waal, Ida Mae de; Gulotta, Teresa Maria; Mondello, Giovanni; Salomone, Roberta; Vermeulen, Walter J.V.

doi:10.5281/zenodo.6444189

Cited by 2 publications

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“…For eco-design, increasing the accessibility of information on the presence of such materials (for policymakers and recyclers), or, working toward substitutions where either recovery or increased accessibility is recommended. The policy implications of this research have been more comprehensively outlined in Campbell-Johnston et al (2022).…”

Section: Critical Policy Reflectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamic rarity of electrical and electronic waste: Assessment and policy implications for critical materials

Campbell‐Johnston

Lindgreen

Mondello

et al. 2023

J of Industrial Ecology

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The strategic relevance of extracting raw materials from waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in the EU is increasing due to value chain risks caused by geopolitical instability, accessibility of specific minerals, and decreasing reserves due to growing extraction rates. This article examines the quantities of so‐called critical raw materials (CRMs) originating within WEEE streams from a depletion perspective. Presently, current recycling targets are based solely on mass collection and recycling rates. We examine the potential limitations of this approach using an exergy‐based indicator named thermodynamic rarity. This indicator represents the exergy costs needed for producing materials from the bare rock to market. The case of Italy is used to explore the application of the indicator at the macro (national) and micro (company) level for the product categories “small electronics” and “screens and monitors.” Our estimations show significant differences between the mass and rarity of materials within Italian WEEE streams. While iron accounts for more than 70% of the weight of the product categories analyzed, it accounts for less than 15% of the rarity. Similarly, several CRMs with a small mass have a higher rarity value, for example, tungsten with less than 0.1% of the mass and over 6% of the rarity. The policy context is reflected upon, where it is argued that thermodynamic rarity can provide novel insights to support end‐of‐life WEEE decision‐making processes, for example, target development and recycling standards setting to help prioritize material monitoring and recovery options.

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Section: Critical Policy Reflectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamic rarity of electrical and electronic waste: Assessment and policy implications for critical materials

Campbell‐Johnston

Lindgreen

Mondello

et al. 2023

J of Industrial Ecology

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show abstract

“…Lepawsky et al (2017) call for electronics repair, reuse, repurposing and recycling with ethical and sustainable considerations. Various EPR versions make producers and importers responsible for e-waste recycling and have been studied or proposed as domestic solutions (Atasu and Subramanian, 2012;Campbell-Johnston et al, 2021;Campbell-Johnston et al, 2022;Lin et al, 2001;Schnoor, 2012;Thapa et al, 2022a;Widmer et al, 2005). In the EU's WEEE directive, EPR guides e-waste management, and Nigeria aspires to establish one.…”

Section: Transboundary E-waste Shipment: Challenges Solutions and Eprmentioning

confidence: 99%

Closing the Circular Economy Loophole

Thapa¹

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The circular economy has gained recognition as a transition model in the European Union (EU) and worldwide, with the implementation of policies like the Circular Economy Action Plans. The main goal is to reduce waste and maintain its value by "closing the loop." However, this focus is primarily limited to the EU and national levels, as Europe exports a significant amount of waste to non-EU countries, particularly in the Global South. This practice has been linked to social and ecological injustices, as these countries often lack proper waste management facilities. The irresponsible waste trade contributes to increasing global inequalities and contradicts the ambitions and actions of the circular economy. This thesis aims to address this gap by exploring the sustainability and circularity implications of Europe's waste export practices. The research adopts a transdisciplinary approach, integrating scientific and societal knowledge to understand the environmental governance aspects of waste shipments. It investigates the consequences of Europe's current practice of shipping waste to countries with inadequate waste management infrastructure. The thesis utilises mixed-method research, including policy analysis, empirical evidence, multidisciplinary academic knowledge, and perspectives from practitioners. Three in-depth case studies are conducted, focusing on rubber tyre waste, second-hand electric and electronic items, and plastic waste in the EU, Netherlands, China, Nigeria, and Vietnam. While recycling and reusing are considered circular and sustainable options, the contextual analysis of exported waste streams reveals that without accountability and ethical consideration, they cause social and ecological harm. The existing circular economy discourse fails to consider the entire value chain of waste and discards, both within and outside of one country. European waste management responsibility is unjustly shifted to places with insufficient capacity, affecting the poor and marginalised populations and the environment. The thesis argues that the current circular economy discourse and practices in Europe lack attention to ethics, justice, and equity. The unaccountable waste shipments are seen as a form of neo-colonial exploitation by some scholars and experts. Based on the research findings, the thesis proposes a fair and ethical symbiotic relationship in the waste value chain, replacing the existing exploitative one. The research process is designed to create a fair waste shipment framework that guides policy and practices for a just transition to a circular economy. Within this framework, a policy intervention called ultimate producer responsibility (UPR) is co-created to ensure transparency, accountability, and circularity in the waste value chain. This intervention holds the original producers responsible for their waste globally, rather than limiting their responsibility to national jurisdiction. The research highlights the interconnectedness of European and global circularity and sustainability. The current practice of exporting waste without considering justice and equity undermines the sustainability and circularity of the European circular economy and creates socioecological harm elsewhere. Existing circular economy and waste policies should explicitly address the international dimensions of waste cycles and discards. To achieve a circular transition, the entire global waste value chain must be taken into account, ensuring fairness, equity, and justice. The study recommends European policies and practices that promote mutual well-being that is equitable, just and sustainable for a circular economy transition. These policies and practices are crucial for promoting European and global circularity, sustainability, equity, and justice.

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Policy Brief on Critical Raw Materials and their integration in Extended Producer Responsibility and Eco-design Policy

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Thermodynamic rarity of electrical and electronic waste: Assessment and policy implications for critical materials

Thermodynamic rarity of electrical and electronic waste: Assessment and policy implications for critical materials

Closing the Circular Economy Loophole

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