Methodology and Database for the Quantification of the Technical Recyclability of Electrical and Electronical Equipment Demonstrated on a Smartphone Case Study

Abstract

Assessing a given product’s design and its recyclability using mass flow analysis based on the material separation and recovery rates of individual recycling processes under realistic conditions can support design decisions promoting better recyclability. EN 45555 defines the calculation of the technical recyclability of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). However, the lack of specific recycling rates for material or processes often leads to either too small or too high recyclability values. Herein, an extensive database of such recycling rates is presented. Moreover, the quality of recycling is considered. The typical classification into “recycled” and “lost” is expanded into four categories, namely “circular”, “recycled”, “alternate material recovery” and “lost”. The recycling rate database includes yields for all four categories and covers 30 materials for 14 recycling processes relevant in waste EEE (WEEE) treatment. These data enable a detailed calculation of the recyclability of various EEE for multiple recycling scenarios covering the entire WEEE recycling chain. Fraunhofer IZM performed an internal critical review of the data. The recycling rates database can act as a solid foundation for comparing the recyclability of various electronics in different scenarios and recyclability indices. For example, the recyclability of typical smartphones is investigated comparing different dismantling and recycling scenarios highlighting the potential of both database and methodology.