Recycling and Material-Flow Analysis of End-of-Life Vehicles towards Resource Circulation in South Korea

Yong-Chul Jang,Kyunghoon Choi,Hyunhee Kim,Ji-Hyun Jeong,Jong-Guk Kim

doi:10.3390/su14031270

Yong-Chul Jang, Kyunghoon Choi + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031270

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Abstract

The sustainable resource management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) towards a circular economy has become an issue of concern around the world. An understanding of recycling and the quantitative flow of ELVs is important because of their potential for resource recovery as well as the environmental impacts posed by their toxic chemicals upon disposal. In this paper, the generation and recycling system of ELVs in South Korea has been discussed based on a review of the available statistics and literature and site visits to ELV-recycling facilities. A material-flow analysis (MFA) for ELVs was performed to elucidate the resource recovery from recycling, while the substance flow of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in automobile shredded residues (ASR) was also determined for proper management. Approximately one million tons of ELVs in 2020 were processed by dismantling and shredding treatment for the recovery of reusable and recyclable materials (803,000 tons), resulting in 78,300 tons of ASR. Approximately 97 tons of PBDEs as flame retardants were generated mainly from ASR in 2020 and processed via combustion, either with energy recovery (59.8%) or without heat recovery (39.2%). The monitoring of brominated dioxins and furans by unintentional release during the incineration processes of ASR is required in order to prevent the dispersion of the chemicals in the environment.

Highlights

In 2020, approximately 78 million new cars around the world were manufactured, and the annual production of automobiles was decreased by 15%, compared with the previous year, mainly due to the economic recession by COVID-19 [1]
Regulations of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) Management In South Korea, ELVs have been managed by the Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical & Electronics and ELVs since 2008, which is similar to the EU WEEE and ELV
Each stakeholder should play a role in the recycling and treatment of ELVs by following the obligations at each stage according to the ELV recycling and treatment standards set by the act

Summary

Introduction

In 2020, approximately 78 million new cars around the world were manufactured, and the annual production of automobiles was decreased by 15%, compared with the previous year, mainly due to the economic recession by COVID-19 [1]. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), there were more than. 1.28 billion vehicles in use in the world as of 2015 [2]. In 2040, it is expected that the fraction of electric cars (54%) among new cars to be sold in the world will be higher than that of internal combustion locomotives (46%). 1.6 billion cars will be on the road globally and that 30% will be electric, conserving more than eight million barrels of oil [3].

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