Introduction and Overview

Abstract

Despite advances in our thinking and practices on sustainability issues, electronic and electrical products still need to be considered in a more holistic way, with a ‘cradle to cradle’ rather than a ‘cradle to grave’ approach. Producers of electrical and electronic products will need to be even more aware of their material requirements and energy resource consumption. Better data tracking systems are required for all major flows of resources such as energy and materials, through supply chains and through society as a whole. The effects of producer responsibility legislation will also continue to have a growing and noticeable impact. The challenges of electronic waste recycling are increasingly influenced by consideration of the entire product lifecycle, and they will continue to require serious attention. There will need to be a greater convergence between the electronics industry and the waste sector. Strategic partnerships with reprocessors must be further developed and strengthened in order to close the product-waste loop. Although legislation can undoubtedly make a significant contribution to enforcing the recycling of more materials from electronic waste, designers, material suppliers and consumers also have a role to play at key points along the supply and management chain, influencing factors such as material choice, product service life and the efficacy of recycling.