Electrical And Electronic Equipment Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Three WEEE Management Scenarios Based on LCA Methodology: Case Study in the Municipality of Iasi, Romania

The increasing consumption of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), correlated with the fast innovation pace in this field, generates a large amount of annual waste. The current established management practices cannot keep up with it, and the results are of increased significance given the negative effects on the environment and human health. Thus, the current study aimed to analyze the environmental impact of three different scenarios of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management, following population awareness campaigns regarding its collection in the Municipality of Iasi, Romania. Data processing was carried out considering Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology with the established functional unit for each scenario according to the collected amount. The results were quantified using the CML2001 and ReCiPe methods and showed that the highest environmental impact was obtained for scenario II (S2) (1.59 × 10−7 pers. equiv. using the CML2001 method and 32.7 pers. equiv. using the ReCiPe method), while the lowest for scenario I (S1) (6.42 × 10−8 pers. equiv. using the CML2001 method and 13.8 pers. equiv. using the ReCiPe method). The process with the highest contribution to the total environmental impact was the collection stage for all scenarios, with the exception of scenario S2, in which case the highest value was generated for the landfill process following the application of the ReCiPe method (39.93%). The current study provides value to a critical issue in the environmental area and supports the development of sustainable WEEE management processes.

Remanufacturing of Industrial Electronics: A Case Study from the GCC Region

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has witnessed significant growth in the global electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) market, especially in the industrial field due to the high demand from oil and gas and other related sectors. However, the lifespan of these end-of-life (EoL) products has become shorter, leading to electronic failure and generating electronic waste (e-waste). Disposing of such waste in recycling centers and landfills poses a challenge for policymakers and waste management officials due to its environmental impact. However, it is imperative to implement new management practices to overcome e-waste from landfills; thus, we propose the remanufacturing process as a viable and economic strategy for e-waste management. The process of industrial remanufacturing has the potential to decrease e-waste and promote the reuse of obsolete EEE and industrial devices., including those used in the Oil and Gas sector. This paper advocates for industrial remanufacturing as a solution to e-waste, aiming to increase the reusability of EoL EEE products. The authors provide a detailed analysis of the troubleshooting process and the tools employed, emphasizing the requirements for adopting this crucial remanufacturing solution. Moreover, the benefits of remanufacturing to industries and stakeholders are highlighted by offering a cost-effective alternative to replacing equipment, increasing the reusability of obsolete products, and reducing e-waste. By addressing the challenges of adopting remanufacturing, limitations and areas for future focus to enhance sustainability can be identified. Additionally, a comprehensive technical survey of the most common reasons for electronic failure at the board level demonstrates the feasibility and practicality of remanufacturing processes. These valuable insights reveal the possibility of realizing remanufacturing and guide technicians and stakeholders in implementing remanufacturing practices in various sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, and factories. Lastly, by showcasing an example of a GCC region facility specializing in remanufacturing industrial electronic equipment, the potential contribution to a more sustainable future is emphasized,; this makes it easier to advocate for the adoption of remanufacturing as a more sustainable and economically viable approach in the industrial sector, particularly in oil and gas, for effective e-waste management.

Towards the definition of WEEE recycling targets in Ecuador. A case of study for mobile phones.

The rise of consumption patterns of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the generation of waste EEE (WEEE) has been strongly increasing globally. Recycling rates (RRs) are one of the main indicators for monitoring the progress towards a circular economy and establishing recovery and treatment schemes. For this reason, this study discusses the setting of recycling targets for WEEE in Ecuador, using mobile phones as a case study. Firstly, the generation of mobile phone waste from 2012 to 2018 is estimated based on literature review. The most appropriate model for estimating WEEE generation is selected according to the applicable market conditions, input requirements and available data. Then, the composition of a mobile phone is determined through an extensive literature review. Based on these results, the materials' environmental impact and potential economic value are approximated using the ReCiPe Endpoint (H, A) method and the prices of virgin materials, respectively. The estimation shows that in Ecuador an average of 2 million devices are discarded every year, which represents an interesting source of resources but currently does not have appropriate management. Ecuador has implemented regulatory frameworks in favour of the integral management of these wastes. However, mass-based collection targets still appear to be the only available measure. Therefore, national results on electronics recycling do not allow adequate monitoring of progress towards a circular economy and largely neglect environmental aspects and economic potential.

A PROPOSED MODEL FOR REDUCING COSTS IN LIGHT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING STANDARD FOR CONVERTING RESOURCES TO ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. A STUDY OF BABYLON FACTORY 2 FOR BATTERIES

The main objective of the research is to demonstrate the application of the sustainability accounting standards (SASs), the standard for transferring resources to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to reduce costs. this will achieve what the dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, social) seek, in addition to reducing production costs and improving the quality of the battery, as well as reducing costs by relying on the actual need for workers in line with the requirements of sustainability. The study obtained the analytical-descriptive approach to collect data. The Babylon Facotry 2 is the sample of the study. The researchers used various data source incluing financial statement in the factory, interview with some engineers and techniacians. The study found that applying sustainability accounting standards, especially the standard of converting resources to electrical and electronic equipment, will maintain product safety and help manage hazardous waste (liquid and solid) for the purpose of preserving the environment and reducing costs. Many recommendations were reached, the most important of which is that industrial companies should adopts the standard of covertion resources of electrical and electronic equipment, for reducing costs.

Recycling of Plastics from E-Waste via Photodegradation in a Low-Pressure Reactor: The Case of Decabromodiphenyl Ether Dispersed in Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) and Poly(carbonate)

Recycling of plastic waste from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), containing brominated flame retardants (BFR) remains difficult due to the increasingly stringent regulations on their handling and recovery. This report deals with photodegradation in a low-pressure reactor applying UV-visible light on Decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDE or BDE-209) randomly dispersed in commercially available Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) and Poly(carbonate) (PC). The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of decomposing a BFR in plastic waste from EEE while maintaining the specifications of the polymeric materials in order to allow for their recycling. The photodegradation of the extracted BFR was monitored using infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. DBDE underwent rapid photodegradation during the first minutes of exposure to UV-visible light and reached degradation yields superior to 90% after 15 min of irradiation. The evaluation of polymer properties (ABS and PC) after irradiation revealed superficial crosslinking effects, which were slightly accelerated in the presence of DBDE. However, the use of a low-pressure reactor avoids large photooxidation and allowed to maintain the thermal and structural properties of the virgin polymers.

A Review on Adopting Blockchain and IoT Technologies for Fostering the Circular Economy in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Value Chain

With the continuous growth in the use of home appliances and electronics, waste produced with obsolete material (e-waste) has an increasing environmental impact. Furthermore, the production of such devices leads to increased consumption of natural resources and produces a multitude of toxic and hazardous substances, which are normally not treated properly. One of the approaches that may be adopted to reduce such problems relies on the circularization of the current linear model, commonly adopted in the Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE) value chain. This includes recovering End-of-Life products and reintroducing their parts, components, or raw materials into the value chain (e.g., semiconductors, circuit boards, raw metals, etc.), contributing to a more sustainable value chain. In this article, we present a state-of-the-art review that focuses on approaches and solutions for EEE value chain traceability and analyze the technologies that may be beneficial for promoting and implementing the Circular Economy model in this value chain.

Modelización de un biorreactor discontinuo para lixiviar residuos eléctricos y electrónicos en Guayaquil, Ecuador

The use of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has increased considerably worldwide, generating large amounts of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) of which only 17% is treated. The processing and extraction of metals from printed circuit boards (PCBs) of WEEE is done by a combination of physical and chemical methods, which become highly polluting. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate new eco-friendly strategies to prevent the impact of environmental pollution. The present research proposes to design a Batch bioreactor for the recovery of Cu from WEEE. For this purpose, equations of the modeling of a Batch bioreactor were coupled with real parameters and values taken from the city of Guayaquil and then designed using these values in the AutoCAD design software. A bioreactor was obtained with an optimal agitation considering 8 flat blades for mixing, also the appropriate material is stainless steel, and the optimum working temperature is 28°C. Applying these parameters, a Cu recovery of 96% is obtained in the city of Guayaquil.

A first comprehensive estimate of electronic waste in Canada

Detailed analysis of electronic waste (e-waste) generation and composition is of utmost importance for the proper management of growing e-waste stream worldwide, containing both hazardous and valuable materials. Considering the absence of such comprehensive and up-to-date studies in Canada, this work presents the first estimate of put-on-market electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), the in-use stocks of EEE and e-waste generation in Canada from 1971 to 2030 for 51 product categories comprising 198 product types. Using a dynamic material flow analysis (MFA), the put-on-market EEE is estimated based on trade data retrieved from national and international import and export statistics, and the in-use stocks of EEE and the resulting e-waste are calculated using the Weibull distribution function. The results show that the total mass of EEE within the 60-year period is estimated to be 42.3 million tonnes, with an annual average growth rate of approximately 0.5%. By 2030, the total accumulated in-use stock of EEE is estimated to exceed 13 million tonnes. The estimated e-waste over the 60-year timespan is 29.1 million tonnes. The total annual e-waste generation in Canada is calculated to be 252 kilo tonnes (kt) and 954 kt in the years 2000 and 2020 respectively, which is estimated to reach 1.2 million tonnes by 2030. The e-waste generation per capita increased from 8.3 kg in 2000 to 25.3 kg in 2020 and is estimated to reach 31.5 kg by 2030. This quantification provides valuable insights to policymakers for setting up targets for waste reduction and identifying the resource circularity potential for efficient management of e-waste.

A comprehensive review of used electrical and electronic equipment management with a focus on the circular economy-based policy-making

In recent years, technological advancements have resulted in a proliferation of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), accompanied by a rising massive amount of used electrical and electronic equipment (UEEE). Studies show that if transboundary flows of UEEE are carried out illegally, it can be one of the reasons for the increase in the volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in developing countries, which necessitates urgent attention to the management of UEEE and WEEE. Toxic chemical components of WEEE can negatively impact ecosystems and human health and pose a severe threat to accomplishing sustainable development goals (SDGs). This review article provides an in-depth survey of UEEE and its differences from WEEE. UEEE is examined in detail to determine whether it is a potential toxic threat or a valuable source. If the transboundary flows of UEEE occur under legal regulations, it is a step toward a circular economy (CE), and the UEEE is recognized as a valuable resource. Otherwise, it is a potential threat to developing countries. Furthermore, the UEEE and WEEE are assessed from the perspective of international law, particularly the transboundary movement guidelines. In the following, the challenges in the transboundary flows of UEEE from developed to developing countries are mentioned. These challenges include a lack of inventory data, weak waste management policies and laws, expansion of the informal sector, and weak monitoring by law enforcement agencies for reliable environmental management. Finally, solutions to current challenges are presented. Undoubtedly, proper global management and legislation of UEEE and WEEE can help reduce the risks of e-waste and be the most effective way to achieve sustainable development goals.

The Legal Transition towards a More Circular Electrical and Electronic Equipment Chain—A Case Study of The Netherlands

The transition towards a circular economy in the EU requires that the legal framework does not create (legal) barriers, but rather enables or stimulates this transition. At this moment, however, the existing literature argues that the current legal system that governs the life cycle of materials and products—EU chemicals, product and waste legislation—might hamper the transition. This article looks into the legal framework for the transition of the product stream of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and more specifically into the general and specific applicable EU chemicals, product and waste legislation, as well as its implementation in the Netherlands. By means of both doctrinal and empirical legal research, this article identifies legal barriers, gaps and incentives in the current legal framework that governs the life cycle of EEE in light of the transition towards a circular economy (CE). To enable or stimulate the CE transition in the EEE chain, it appears that it would be desirable to improve the interaction within this legal system and better align it with the objectives of the CE and life cycle thinking. Moreover, this research shows that a different approach within EU chemicals, product and waste legislation could be beneficial for the CE transition. With regard to EEE, a holistic approach could enable a more circular EEE chain, either within the current sector-approach, or with a more product-specific or material-specific approach within the EU chemicals, product and waste legislation governing EEE.

E-waste management using hybrid optimization-enabled deep learning in IoT-cloud platform

Electronic waste (E-waste) is generated at a quick pace due to technological expansion and thereby reducing the obsolescence age of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). This ever-increasing e-waste is not only dangerous for the environment but also to the health of human beings. A robust and effective E-waste classification approach is devised in this paper, named Fractional Horse Herd Gas Optimization-based Shepherd Convolutional Neural Network (FrHHGO-based ShCNN) for classifying E-wastes in the Internet of Things (IoT)-cloud platform. Here, the E-waste images are collected by the IoT nodes and then stored in the cloud data storage which then performs the process of routing using the proposed FrHHGO algorithm. Moreover, effective features are extracted and then augmented to perform the process of E-waste classification. The E-waste classification is performed using FrHHGO, which is the combination of Fractional Henry Gas Optimization (FHGO), and Horse Herd Optimization Algorithm (HOA). The developed method outperformed various existing approaches with minimum energy and delay of 0.301 J, and 0.666 s, maximum accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.950, 0.934, and 0.967, respectively. Thus, the developed E-waste classification system enhances the social, environmental, and economic sustainability using FrHHGO-based ShCNN in emerging economies.

Presence of novel and legacy flame retardants and other pollutants in an e-waste site in China and associated risks

Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) residues and their management have been widely identified as potential sources of plasticizers and flame retardants to the environment, especially in non-formal e-waste facilities. This study evaluates the distribution, partitioning and environmental and human impact of organophosphate esters (OPEs), legacy polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the e-waste recycling area of Baihe Tang village, in the Qingyuan county, Guangdong province, China. A plastic debris lump accumulated in a small pond during years was identified as the main source of pollution with ∑pollutants of 8400 μg/g dw, being OPEs the main contaminants detected, followed by PBDEs. This lump produced the contamination of water, sediments, soils and hen eggs in the surrounding area at high concentrations. Plastic-water and water-sediment partitioning coefficients explained the migration of OPEs to the water body and accumulation in sediments, with a strong dependence according to the KOW. Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), tricresyl phosphate (TCPs) and high chlorination degree PCBs produced a risk in soils and sediments, considering the lowest predicted no effect concentration, while the presence of PCBs and PBDEs in free range hen eggs exceeded the acceptable daily intake. OCPs were detected at low concentrations in all samples. The presence of organic contaminants in e-waste facilities worldwide is discussed to highlight the need for a strict control of EEE management to minimize environmental and human risks.

Prediction of e-waste generation: Application of modified adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (MANFIS).

An accurate estimation of generated electronic waste (e-waste) plays a pivotal role in the development of any appropriate e-waste management plan. The present study aimed to exploit modified adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (MANFIS) for the estimation of generated e-waste. There are different parameters affecting e-waste generation, the most important of which need to be identified to achieve the accurate estimation. The MANFIS used for parameter selection involves evaluating multiple choices between twelve initially specified parameters. The MANFIS models with five inputs have the highest mean R2(train) and R2(test) (0.978 and 0.952, respectively, in training and testing stages). According to the results, the best combination of parameters was related to legal imports of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), smuggling (illegal) imports of EEE, exports of EEE, accumulation of EEE in Tehran, and accumulation of EEE in Iran with RMSE(train) and RMSE(test) of 0.221 and 2.221, respectively. The findings showed that the model with three triangular membership functions had the best performance; R2(train) and RMSE(train) values were 0.981 and 1.371, as well as R2(test) and RMSE(test) values were 0.971 and 1.678, respectively. Finally, the developed model was successfully applied for prediction of monthly e-waste generation in Tehran for thirteen selected electronic items. The obtained consistent results emphasized that appropriate selection of the number of input parameters and their combination, along with identifying optimal structure of MANFIS, provides a proper, simple and accurate prediction of e-waste.

Aromatic disulfide epoxy vitrimer packaged electronic devices: Nondestructive healing and recycling

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) that greatly enhances global living standards has become indispensable in modern societies. In EEE, most electronic devices are protected by epoxy electronic packaging that exhibits outstanding mechanical property, high electrical resistivity and excellent solvent resistance. However, due to thermolability of electronic components and insolubility of epoxy, it is impossible to heal and recycle the packaged electronic devices non-destructively, resulting in a huge amount of e-waste during manufacturing and consumption. Herein, aromatic disulfide epoxy vitrimer packaged electronic devices were proposed, in which nondestructive healing and recycling were achieved. The epoxy vitrimer was prepared from aromatic disulfide-based epoxy and aliphatic amines at moderate temperature (≤100 °C), resulting in highly cross-linked networks, excellent solvent resistance and good thermal stability. The tensile strength was ∼71.9 MPa and the glass transition temperature was ∼115 °C. Moreover, it exhibited comparable electrical resistivity to reference epoxy, while lower dielectric constant was observed. In epoxy vitrimer packaged LED light, cracks could be readily healed at 150 °C through aromatic disulfide metathesis in networks, while the epoxy vitrimer exhibited topology freezing transition at ∼118 °C. Besides, relying on reactions between aromatic disulfide bonds and outer thiol groups, the epoxy vitrimer packaged LED light, printed circuit board and integrated circuit could be non-destructively recycled, while the epoxy vitrimer was degradable on demand. The aromatic disulfide epoxy vitrimer packaged electronic devices with nondestructive healing and recycling properties provide a better way to deal with substandard electric products and retired ones, leading to e-waste reducing, resource recycling and environment-friendly development in EEE.

A new approach to identifying high-tech manufacturing SMEs with sustainable technological development: Empirical evidence

Industry 4.0 has already become part of the world's largest manufacturers and is beginning to influencing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the supply chain. High-tech industries, such as pharmaceuticals, electronic equipment, aircraft manufacturing, etc., will be the first to face technological transformation. To this end, it becomes relevant to assess the sustainability of the technological development of SMEs as a factor of their successful digital transformation. This paper fills a gap in the study of such development as it pertains to Russian high-tech SMEs. Based on a critical literature review, we propose a new approach to assessing the sustainable technological development of these industries. The approach is distinguished by the use of a set of five indicators highlighted during the literature review, which can be quantified based on financial statements. The choice of variables is justified by their compliance with the specifics of industrial SMEs and KMO and Bartlett tests. We empirically tested the selected indicators using a sample of 7980 enterprises in two high-tech industries: Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). We concluded that the larger the business, the higher the sustainability of its technological development. At the same time, SMEs have two key advantages in the implementation of technological development – a decrease in resource costs of production, flexibility in asset management and gross profit. The proposed approach allows us to identify promising high-tech SMEs for the transition to Industry 4.0 technologies. Our research will be useful both for private enterprises when searching for technologically promising contractors and for public authorities when analyzing and selecting enterprises for pilot digital transformation.

An overview study on management and implementation of WEEE in China.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) which contains various valuable and harmful materials is an inevitable waste in modern society. In order to resolve the pollution problems associated with WEEE treatment, a WEEE management system has been established in China. The main role of importers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is to pay the treatment fees to facilitate the WEEE recycling in China. The announced treatment and subsidy fee is given by set, not by the weight of WEEE. There is no lesser green treatment fee for the producers which can produce environmentally friendly EEE in China. Also, the recovery of refrigerants from the foaming agent of refrigerators is not required in China. In total, 45 million sets of recycled WEEE were certified in 2020, a year that contains the most updated data. Among them, 48%, 14%, 20%, 10% and 8% are for TV, refrigerator, washing machine, computer and air conditioners, respectively. The spatial analysis indicates that the WEEE recycling activities are mainly concentrated on the mid-east and east regions of China. It also can be concluded that the certified amount of each province has higher positive correlation with provincial population than provincial GDP per capita and green recovery rate. It also clearly notes that the amount of recycled air conditioner is the lowest for each province. Thus, more effort should be conducted to increase the recycling of scrapped air conditioner in China.

Assessment of critical factors in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) plastics on the recyclability: A case study in Finland

Excessive waste is continually accumulating owing to increased consumption, and an excellent example is the consumption of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), which are eventually transformed into waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). WEEE is an interesting material stream because it includes various valuable materials that have great potential for recycling and reutilization. To maximize recycling and utilization potential, all fractions in WEEE must be reviewed from a sustainable perspective. Several WEEE contain plastic, which comprises approximately one-third of the total WEEE composition; thus, this plastic content is a good target for recycling purposes. However, the recycling of WEEE plastics might include some challenges, such as the treatment of harmful substances in the material, which can prevent effective and high-quality material recycling. This study investigates the polymer composition and critical elements of the material stream of WEEE polymer. These polymers were identified using portable near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at an elemental level. The results showed that among various other polymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) was the main polymer identified in WEEE. The proportion of unidentified polymers was alarmingly large; specifically, when the presence of bromine was positively correlated with the presence of an unidentified WEEE polymer. This study also corroborated that bromine is actually not present in bromine-free plastics, demonstrating that industrial classification works with WEEE polymers.

The hazards, treatment measures and sustainable development of electronic waste

The faster upgrading and the rising consumer’s demand for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) results in an ever-increasing number of waste electrical and electronic items (WEEE), which became a severe pollution problem at both local and global scales. This paper presents the current six categories of EEE that are widely used for electronic waste (E-waste) management worldwide and the major component of E-waste: non-hazardous materials, heavy metal, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). To learn about E-waste’s negative impacts on both environment and the human body, this paper will show the specific polluting route in air, water, and soil. Those pollutants would affect the environment through burning and directly released into the air, penetrating and leaking into water and soil. The polluted environment and the poor sanitary conditions will further destroy people’s health. This paper shows and summarizes the development of current E-waste management, from direct landfill to chemical disposal, to today’s eco-friendly way--bioleaching. Future E-waste disposal technology needs to become more environmentally friendly and more efficient for reusable material recovery. Therefore, we hope that E-waste management can closely connect with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We need to apply SDGs into every aspect of E-waste management, which can significantly reduce the adverse effects of E-waste and be beneficial for the electronic industry.

Unlocking the Value of Stockpiled Mobile Handsets: a Delphi Evaluation of Factors Influencing End of Use

Meeting consumers’ demands for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) products in the face of diminishing natural resources necessitate a shift from take-make-dispose to circular economy approaches. Mobile handsets are ubiquitous but only a fraction are returned into the economy at the end; many are locked in consumers' households. These small EEE hold residual value as well as critical resources, such as Rare Earth Elements. Incentives for destockpiling exist but are insufficient to alter long-term end-of-use behaviour. Household recycling behaviour tends to be used as a template for EEE end-of-use. But established explanatory factors for household recycling might not be fully relevant for small electronic devices: their size permits stockpiling, whilst their continued utility can encourage retention as back-up or “safety” devices. This study aimed to elucidate the relevance of factors specific to the nature of small EEE, notably their physical characteristics and working order. A panel of academics and professionals from the global waste and resource management sector was consulted using Delphi methods. The results show that factors commonly applied to foster recycling, such as altruism or pro-environmental behaviour, do not necessarily apply to small EEE. On the other hand, the device’s features and working order are critical factors in the end-of-use decision-making process. This study concludes that practical and situational factors should be used to favourably alter decisions for small EEE, including devices’ characteristics. In effect, updated situational factors could unlock a global “destockpile lifestyle” to realise full value from the reuse and recycling of small EEE.

Morphology for circular economy business models in the electrical and electronic equipment sector of Singapore and South Korea: Findings, implications, and future agenda

Moving to a circular economy requires manufacturers and producers to rethink their business model for a stronger value proposition and delivery. Many businesses have implemented circular economy business models (CEBMs) with different design options to accomplish sustainable business goals and economic prosperity. However, the unexplored options in the design of CEBMs can be a significant obstacle in the transition to a circular society. This paper seeks to investigate the CEBM design options currently reported in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) sector of Singapore and South Korea, proposing a research agenda to advance circular economy research in both countries. In this systematic review, we follow four basic dimensions in a business model, value proposition, value delivery, value creation, and value capture, in a morphological analysis of 119 publications to identify business model design options in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment sector of Singapore and South Korea. Our findings showed that producers in both countries were similar in their intentions yet adopted different approaches regarding the four dimensions. In Singapore, result-oriented CEBMs and cooperation with the local government and community emerged as major design options. On the other hand, in the South Korean context, rental or leasing business models using the membership system with personalized home visiting service and the use of digital capabilities were rampant. These findings are expected to help producers and practitioners understand and adopt better design options to drive their business models, highlighting the agenda to further investigate digital servitization and consumer acceptance in CEBMs.