Novel indicators to better monitor the collection and recovery of (critical) raw materials in WEEE: Focus on screens

Rachel Horta Arduin,Fabrice Mathieux,Jaco Huisman,Gian Andrea Blengini,Carole Charbuillet,Michelle Wagner,Cornelis Peter Baldé,Nicolas Perry

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104772

Abstract

Currently, in the European Union (EU), e-waste chain performance is assessed by technical indicators that aim to ensure system compliance with collection and recovery targets set by the WEEE Directive. This study proposes indicators to improve WEEE flow monitoring beyond the current overall weight-based approach, including complementary flows and treatment performance. A case study focused on the screen category in France is presented. In 2017, the collection rate of cathode-ray tube screens (CRT) was 68%, while for flat panel display (FPD) generated only 14% was collected. CRT screens have less precious and critical materials than FDP. Thus, elements like cobalt and gold highly concentrated in FPD, have a collection rate two to four times lower than elements such as copper (37%) which represents a high proportion in CRTs. Recycling is the main treatment in France. Nevertheless, the recycling rate per element varies significantly due to the low collection, and also the lack of technology and/or secondary raw materials market. The elements with higher recycling rates are base metals such as copper (28%), followed by precious metals like silver (23%), and gold (13%). Except for palladium, the recycling rate of the critical raw materials targeted in the study ranged from 6% (cobalt) to 0% (e.g. neodymium and indium). The results stress the need for indicators to support the development of WEEE chain from waste management to secondary (critical) raw materials suppliers.

Highlights

From 2016 to 2018, the minimum collection rate was 45% calculated on the total weight of waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) collected, expressed as the percentage of the overall weight of electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the market (POM) in the three preceding years
To monitor what is being collected by the official schemes, it is necessary to have a closer view per WEEE category
This high performance is due to the difference in the type of e-waste collected by the official schemes and EEE placed on the market

Summary

Introduction

The production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is rising worldwide, alongside a decrease, mainly in industrialized societies, in the lifespan of products such as small electronic devices (Bakker et al, 2014; Ikhlayel, 2018). The amount of electronic waste (ewaste) or waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is rising globally, with an annual growth of approximately 5% (Ibanescu et al, 2018). In 2016, 44.7 million tons (Mt) of WEEE were generated worldwide (Baldé et al, 2017a,Baldé et al, 2017a). In 2012, about 60 Mt of EEE were placed on the market (POM), among which 12.4 Mt in China, 9.1 Mt in the EU, 7.4 Mt in the USA, 3.0 Mt in India and 3.7 Mt in South America (Eurostat, 2018; Xavier et al, 2018)

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