Environmental impacts at the end of life of computers and their management alternatives in México

Abstract

A Life Cycle Analysis of End-of-Life Computers was developed for management of computers discarded in Mexico for the year 2014 through LCA methodology (ISO 14044) and using specialized software named Umberto® version 5.5.4 with database Ecoinvent 2.2. The modeling consisted in the current scenario in Mexico (10% recycling) versus four alternative scenarios: 0% recycling, 25% recycling, 35% recycling and elimination of open dump disposal considering experience in other countries and real possibilities of medium-term management. All practices of management and recycling are considered in the model with changes in the recycling rates and installed infrastructure for different alternatives proposals. On the other hand, the model included that dismantling operations are done mostly with manual labor; transportation, extraction and processing of printed wiring boards, including local process of transforming, heating and melting of materials and considering recycling in Asian countries with all the environmental burdens processes involving transoceanic transportation and metallurgy. The majority of non-precious metals recycling was considered to take place locally. A substantial benefit was identified for all recycling scenarios, particularly in the elimination of open dump disposal and the recycling of 35% of the stream and was found that there was a high impact on climate change and adverse toxic effects to health and natural environments for the practice of accumulating waste in sanitary landfills and dumpsites as well as by burning of materials (plastics and others) in open areas. The use of recycled materials versus virgin materials was also beneficial up to 10 times for reduction in global warming potential impact and up to 3 times reduction for human toxic potential. Public policies might be recommended in order to protect health and environment. As public policy recommendations, it is proposed reinforcement the national infrastructure to collect EoL computers- and transformation of materials into new commercial products, and as a starting point for the recycling of all generated materials, including plastics and printed wiring boards, but should also include the promotion of research for the transformation of plastic waste and the implementation of new technologies that can be adopted by the national recycling industry and create new regulations that result in the production or import of EoL computers and other electronics with low levels of toxic substances as their main components. Other public policies should include the legal prohibition of use of landfills and dumps for containment of EoL computers and other electrical and electronic equipment.