Circular Economy in a High-Tech World

Abstract

The proliferation of electronics, batteries, and solar panels in recent decades has resulted in a substantial generation of “high-tech” end-of-life products. Currently, these products follow a largely linear model, i.e., extract → make → use → dispose, but significant effort is underway to transition to a more circular economy in which products and materials are kept in the economy and out of landfills, incinerators, and the environment. However, many technical and economic challenges can impede, constrain, and preclude a circular economy for high-tech products. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology recently convened expert stakeholders in a virtual workshop to identify key challenges and needs to foster a circular economy for electronics, solar panels, and batteries. Here, we discuss several of these challenges and needs, and provide specific data, standards, tools, proposed research and development, and educational needs to address them. Furthermore, we argue that a circular economy cannot be achieved by individual efforts alone, but rather necessitates collaboration across disciplines, industry sectors, public and private stakeholders, and geographical regions.