Rethinking market connections: mobile phone recovery, reuse and recycling in the UK

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this article is to provide an application of network literature that can be used for teaching and learning purposes. Design/methodology/approach -The information used to present the case study is drawn principally from documentary evidence as well as discussions with a phone manufacturer, retailer and waste management company. Findings -Describes the role of key actors in the development of "circular" supply chains for mobile phones and outlines two recovery and reuse/ recycling schemes, one which operated as a trial (having been initiated by mobile phone manufacturers) and one which has functioned as a commercially viable arrangement since 2002 and is led by waste management and retail firms. The two schemes demonstrate ways in which various parties seek to influence the behaviour of others as well as changes (both temporary and permanent) in the activities performed by and connections between parties.Research limitations/implications -Whichever way various companies choose to deal with electronic waste, one factor remains constant, namely that collection schemes are of little value without consumer involvement. The case study would have benefited from empirical research of consumer awareness of and propensity to contribute to phone collection schemes. Practical implications -A valuable illustration for teachers and students of "markets as networks" using a problem which is prevalent in any geographic location. The case could also be used as a vehicle for students to design and conduct research into consumer disposal of discarded phones and awareness of/propensity to make use of available recovery and reuse/recycling schemes. Originality/value -Requires the reader to think beyond linear supply chains and shows how network literature can incorporate consumers and organisational actors alike. The UK perspective provides a useful teaching/learning tool by describing how discarded mobile phones are handled. In addition to this, the case study could be used as a starting point from which to investigate how networks are organised in other geographic locations for dealing with this same problem.

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

“…The use of agent based modelling to explore the potential for creating a closed loop system for mobile phones has been reported (Bollinger et al 2011). Regardless of the take-back scheme in operation, it has been found that their effectiveness is limited by the awareness of the consumer of the need to recycle old devices (Wright et al 1998;Canning 2006;Milovantseva and Saphores 2013). et al (2014) reported the impact of mobile phones in terms of the component parts.…”

E-waste: a problem or an opportunity? Review of issues, challenges and solutions in Asian countries

“…Each year over 130 million mobile phones in the United States and over 105 million mobile phones in Europe reach their end-of-life and are thrown away (Canning, 2006). As a result used Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE), commonly known as e-waste, also known as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) have become a serious social problem and an environmental threat to many countries worldwide.…”

Constructing small WEEE collection system in Istanbul: A decision support system and conceptual design proposal

“…So, instead of preventing the thrown away to household waste by banning, events should be organized to realize the change this behavior. Mobile phones can be easily stored and forgotten or thrown away with normal household waste due to their relatively small dimensions [4,7]. Though technological developments increase WEEE amount, these advances, especially in recovery and logistics means, can be employed to reduce it.…”