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

Abstract

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.

Impact of Management and Reverse Logistics on Recycling in a War Scenario

“…It can therefore be concluded that it is necessary to "move mountains" in order to extract the ore. In this sense, paradigms have to change, since higher quantities of materials can be extracted from a landfill than from the primary source (mine) [20]. The EU (European Union) had an average increase of 50% in raw materials, particularly ferrous materials, a fact that is directly related to the war in Ukraine, creating real chaos in manufacturing industries and throughout the SCM.…”

The Legal Transition towards a More Circular Electrical and Electronic Equipment Chain—A Case Study of The Netherlands

“…The literature also criticized the references of the existing targets: in general for being mass-based, therewith neglecting the (ecological) value and scarcity of materials in EEE [69,97], and specifically the 65% collection target because its 'Put on Market' reference does not properly reflect the amount of WEEE that is generated or available for collection [74]. One waste treatment operator acknowledged that the recycling of CRMs makes no difference if targets remain weight-related, given their low weight share.…”

“…To solve the issues regarding the targets in the WEEE Directive, it has been suggested to set more stringent targets [98], introduce new targets, such as for reuse and preparation for reuse [6,99], or introduce qualitative targets, focusing on certain materials or the quality of collected products [97,100,101]. According to two interviewees, such targets are possible, but do require that the need for achieving such targets is already taken into account at the product stage.…”

Ultimate producer responsibility for e‐waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

“…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 & Subramanian, 2012; Campbell‐Johnston et al, 2021; Campbell‐Johnston et al, 2022; Lin et al, 2001; Schnoor, 2012; Thapa et al, 2022; Widmer et al, 2005). In the EU's WEEE directive, EPR guides e‐waste management and Nigeria aspires to establish one.…”