Sustainable E-waste Management Research Articles

Electronic Waste in China, Japan, and Vietnam: A Comparative Analysis of Waste Management Strategies

Abstract This paper comparatively analyses the e-waste sector in China, Japan, and Vietnam by examining progress towards the international best practice model of Integrated Sustainable Waste Management (ISWM) within each country. Through three distinct, yet interdependent dimensions of ISWM (stakeholders, waste system elements, and sustainability aspects), similarities and differences between the three East Asian countries are identified. The analysis shows that the e-waste management approaches differ substantially. The Vietnamese e-waste management approach is least consistent with the ISWM framework, while Japan complies the most with the ideals of the model and Chinese progress towards ISWM is mostly located between the two countries. However, a substantial proportion of Japanese e-waste is exported to developing countries in an uncontrolled manner. The analysis further suggests that the state of development and national characteristics have a significant impact on how the three countries approach e-waste management. In particular, the central role of the informal e-waste sectors in China and Vietnam poses a challenge to the establishment of an effective integrated sustainable e-waste management system. In light of the transnational flow of e-waste in the region, only joint actions will lead to long-term solutions to the increasing threat of e-waste to the environment and human health.

Towards the effective E-waste management in Bangladesh: a review

Nowadays, the electrical and electronic products are a crucial commodity for different purposes of daily life and they are multiplying five times faster than human like mobile phones, which has reached zero to 7.2 billion in only three decades. A 5-10% yearly increase in the amount of used electrical and electronic equipment that are disposed of prudently can cause environmental hazards that have an aversive effect on human health, marine life, contamination of groundwater, and reduces soil's fertility. Management of this enormous influx of electrical and electronic waste is a challenge for developing countries like Bangladesh with barebones solid waste management infrastructure. Inadequacy of public awareness, policies and poor budget in the field of waste management are few of the key factors behind this delineating scenario. In this study, the picture electrical and electronic waste productions in Bangladesh along with the recent E-waste management systems have been presented comprehensively. Based on the study, it was concluded that most of the adapted E-waste management methods are conversational and detached from current technological capability. A set of sustainable E-waste management system has been suggested along with the challenges, which might appear during the implementation of these strategies. Successful implementation of these suggested systems would advance the quality of E-waste management in Bangladesh increasing the current 35% overall E-waste recycling rate and offer enormous energy from the waste.

E-waste management in China: bridging the formal and informal sectors

The global production and demand of electronic appliances is exponentially growing, increasingly depleting natural resources. This is resulting in increasing amounts of electronic waste (e-waste), which is a challenge for resource management, as e-waste holds valuable resources that can be channeled back into the electronics production cycle. China, as one of the world’s main recipients of e-waste, is facing a twofold burden. Increasing amounts of e-waste are generated domestically, and there is a continuous flow of illegally imported e-waste. E-waste entering China from abroad is handled entirely by the informal recycling sector, which also covers most of nationally generated e-waste. Recycling practices in the informal sector are predominantly at primitive levels, not only posing serious harm to the environment and public health, but also resulting in inefficient resource recovery results. This paper analyzes the structure of the informal e-waste sector in China and challenges that impede the effective integration of the informal into the formal system. It also identifies good practices that may be applied to address these challenges and establish a sustainable e-waste management system in the country, which will allow China to recover valuable resources from e-waste and mitigate harm to the environment and human health.

Solving the waste electrical and electronic equipment problem: socio-economic assessment on sustainable e-waste management in South Eastern Nigeria

Nigeria still considers waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) problem as more of socio-economic benefits rather than long-term human and environmental impacts. The study assessed the socio-economic factors affecting the trend of WEEE generation and handling in South Eastern Nigeria. The research concept identified key strategic aspects relative to socio-economic assessment of WEEE management. It used investigative approach through questionnaire administration. Twenty local government areas were purposively selected from five mutually exclusive strata. Data from 201 respondents were analysed using multiple linear regression and descriptive statistics. Results revealed that monetary provisions and public participation does not have significant relationship with WEEE generation and collection. The study revealed that the factors determined as affecting the trend of WEEE generation and collection cut across cheaper pricing of WEEE, availability of WEEE, quality/superiority of E.o.L EEE to newer ones, durability of device, low income consumers and the accessibility of end-users to WEEE.

Solving the waste electrical and electronic equipment problem: socio-economic assessment on sustainable e-waste management in South Eastern Nigeria

Solving the waste electrical and electronic equipment problem: socio-economic assessment on sustainable e-waste management in South Eastern Nigeria

From Centralized Disassembly to Life Cycle Management: Status and Progress of E-waste Treatment System in China

China is now facing e-waste problems from both growing domestic generation and illegal imports. Many stakeholders are involved in the e-waste treatment system due to the complexity of e-waste life cycle. Beginning with the state of the e-waste treatment industry in China, this paper summarizes the latest progress in e-waste management from such aspects as the new edition of the China RoHS Directive, new Treatment List, new funding subsidy standard, and eco-design pilots. Thus, a conceptual model for life cycle management of e-waste is generalized. The operating procedure is to first identify the life cycle stages of the e-waste and extract the important life cycle information. Then, life cycle tools can be used to conduct a systematic analysis to help decide how to maximize the benefits from a series of life cycle engineering processes. Meanwhile, life cycle thinking is applied to improve the legislation relating to e-waste so as to continuously improve the sustainability of the e-waste treatment system. By providing an integrative framework, the life cycle management of e-waste should help to realize sustainable management of e-waste in developing countries.

Sustainable E-Waste Management in Asia: Analysis of Practices in Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia

The seriousness of e-waste problem is down to three realities: exponential increase in total amount, environmental degradation and health complications. A call for sustainable e-waste management is no longer a utopian ambition but an absolute necessity. In accordance to that, this study aims to evaluate e-waste management practices in three Asian countries: Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia, and consequently propose recommendations and insights for Malaysia on how to manage e-waste in a sustainable manner. The comparative analysis is conducted based on three central aspects comprising governance, infrastructure, and stakeholders’ participation. The outcome of this study indicates that e-waste management needs to be initiated by comprehensive regulations that are focussed on proper e-waste handling and stakeholders’ accountability. Besides, it has to be accompanied by robust infrastructure where appropriate mechanisms and effective enforcement are taking place. Finally, active participation from relevant stakeholders through involvement, support and compliance is crucial. On the whole, developing a sustainable e-waste management system is not an easy endeavour; it requires sufficient effort, capital, and time while complemented with continuous improvement.

14th congress of combustion by-products and their health effects-origin, fate, and health effects of combustion-related air pollutants in the coming era of bio-based energy sources.

The 14th International Congress on Combustion By-Products and Their Health Effects was held in Umeå, Sweden from June 14th to 17th, 2015. The Congress, mainly sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program and the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning, focused on the "Origin, fate and health effects of combustion-related air pollutants in the coming era of bio-based energy sources". The international delegates included academic and government researchers, engineers, scientists, policymakers and representatives of industrial partners. The Congress provided a unique forum for the discussion of scientific advances in this research area since it addressed in combination the health-related issues and the environmental implications of combustion by-products. The scientific outcomes of the Congress included the consensus opinions that: (a) there is a correlation between human exposure to particulate matter and increased cardiac and respiratory morbidity and mortality; (b) because currently available data does not support the assessment of differences in health outcomes between biomass smoke and other particulates in outdoor air, the potential human health and environmental impacts of emerging air-pollution sources must be addressed. Assessment will require the development of new approaches to characterize combustion emissions through advanced sampling and analytical methods. The Congress also concluded the need for better and more sustainable e-waste management and improved policies, usage and disposal methods for materials containing flame retardants.

Towards an Assessment Methodology to Support Decision Making for Sustainable Electronic Waste Management Systems: Automatic Sorting Technology

There is a lack of structured methodologies to support stakeholders in accessing the sustainability aspects for e-waste management. Moreover, the increasing volume of electronic waste (e-waste) and the availability of automated e-waste treatment solutions demand frequent reconfigurations of facilities for efficient e-waste management. To fill this gap and guide such ongoing developments, this paper proposes a novel methodological framework to enable the assessing, visualizing and comparing of sustainability impacts (economic, environmental and social) resulting from changes applied to a facility for e-waste treatment. The methodology encompasses several methods, such as discrete event simulation, life cycle assessment and stakeholder mapping. A newly-developed demonstrator for sorting e-waste is presented to illustrate the application of the framework. Not only did the methodology generate useful information for decision making, but it has also helped identify requirements for further assessing the broader impacts on the social landscape in which e-waste management systems operate. These results differ from those of previous studies, which have lacked a holistic approach to addressing sustainability. Such an approach is important to truly measure the efficacy of sustainable e-waste management. Potential future applications of the framework are envisioned in production systems handling other waste streams, besides electronics.

21. World Trade Organization (WTO)

In 2016, there were intensive meetings and workshops to discuss the link between trade and climate change, waste management, standard harmonization, and environmental goods among the WTO members. The meeting of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) was held in November to discuss trade and environment issues, such as climate change and management of chemicals and waste, particularly from discarded electronics. In regard to climate change, most countries agreed that trade has an important role to play in addressing climate change and helping countries meet their commitments to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Thus, some WTO members wanted to discuss this issue in the CTE since they sought to deepen members’ understanding of trade policy’s potential contribution to addressing climate change. Several members, however, mentioned that this issue should be left to other fora even though they also agreed on the importance of enhancing understanding of the links between the fora. In regard to chemicals and waste management, with a focus on ‘e-waste’ from electronic equipment, several international organizations such as the Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization shared their work on the sustainable management of e-waste and the main obstacles to managing e-waste in an environmental friendly way, particularly for developing countries.

E-waste flow among selected institutions of higher learning using material flow analysis model

Institutions of higher learning (universities) contribute significantly to the rapidly growing threat of e-waste. This research focused mainly on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) e-waste management in selected universities in the Klang Valley of Central Region, Malaysia. ICT equipments (computers, printers, copiers) are the most widely used and frequently replaced electronics in universities and if not soundly managed pose grave environmental hazards because of their components which contain toxic substances. The objective of the article is to analyze e-waste flow among selected institutions of higher learning using material flow analysis model. Material Flow Analysis (MFA) modeling was conducted to investigate e-waste management systems, from asset purchase, use, end-of-life and disposal. Furthermore, MFA also led to better system analysis which contributed to practical recommendations for sustainable e-waste management. STAN (subSTance flow ANalysis) 2.5 software was used to perform the MFA modeling providing graphical models of university e-waste management, data reconciliation, propagation of uncertainty and gross error detection. Findings of the research showed that some universities generated 100 tons of ICT e-waste in 2012 with an estimated market value of RM 0.3 million (US$98.500). The study also found that 7.5 tons of e-waste was discarded into the MSW stream thus contributing to heavy metal contamination in landfill or dump sites. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) options i.e. take-back in university systems were practically nonexistent in these universities.

Development of a Web Based Electronic Waste Management System: A Study with Special Reference to Recycling Companies in Sri Lanka

Information and Communication technology (ICT) and/or Information Technology (IT) are the effective tools that have been employed in the field of education, research, administration and other ways for the betterment of the human life that brings revolution in the modern era. There are number of advantages and disadvantages available in using ICT for our activities. One of the major disadvantages of ICT and its devices is harmful substances including carbon dioxide (CO2) to the environment that are not eco-friendly. Software and hardware part of IT has touched most of the parts of social, technical, economic and natural environment. Exponentially increasing production of computer hardware has posed major challenges of proper disposal of the electronic waste (e-waste) produced by this industry. Recycling companies are the key stakeholders in managing e-wastes in developing countries. But, they don‟t have any proper system to handle those wastes. Therefore, the objective of this research is to explore and investigate the current condition of electronic waste‟s recycling system in Sri Lanka and to study the problems faced by recycling companies in handling e-wastes as well as to develop a computerized system to solve e-waste recycling problems. The research method was case study and it is comprised of three phases: analysis and problem definition, system design and development and, system implementation. A structured questionnaire and informal interview methods were used to collect data. Secondary data from sources such previous research article on published and unpublished journals, websites, company database information, annual reports, magazines etc. were used. The population of the research was recycling companies of Sri Lanka and the sample size was seven registered recycling companies. It is identified that there are four kinds of recycling activities are processing as return back, recycle, resell and reuse the e-waste by Sri Lankan recycling companies. A web based system, based on the research were developed as the recycling companies of Sri Lanka can put into operation that may be adopted for sustainable management of e-waste. The final system is helpful for e-waste recycling companies to manage e-wastes and it will be benefited to the community and the nation as well. Keywords: Electronic waste, Recycling, Information Technology, Sustainable development

Generation and Management of Electronic Waste in India

Electronic waste (E-waste) or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) refers to obsolete and discarded appliances that operates on electricity. Due to our constantly evolving dependence on electrical and electronic equipments (EEEs) in every walk of lives, the amount of E-waste generated worldwide is thriving at an alarming rate, while the management practices and policy-level initiatives are still at an embryonic stage, especially in most of the developing countries. With respect to countries like India, the current methods of storage, processing, recycling, and disposal of E-waste have immense potential to harm human health and environment. This article is an attempt to evaluate the involvement of various stakeholders in the generation and management of E-waste in India by identifying and assessing them. The dominance of informal E-waste recycling sector along with its all socio-economic, health, and environmental implications is addressed. Current status of formal recycling units in the country is assessed upon. A case study assessing various stakeholders’ involvement is incorporated. The findings and conclusions of the article call for an integrated approach in Indian E-waste management scenario including significant considerations such as the identification of diverse range of stakeholders in the E-waste generation and management processes. A sustainable E-waste management system in the country is only possible by identification of the functionalities of various stakeholders.

Electronic Waste Management in India: A Stakeholder’s Perspective

E-waste or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) illustrate discarded appliances that utilize electricity for their functioning. Today, the Indian market is engrossed with massive volumes of electrical and electronic goods and gadgets, having tremendously high domestic demand. Consequently, the amount of E-waste being generated in the country is flourishing at an alarming rate, although the management practices and policy initiatives of the same are still in an elementary stage. The current methods of storage, processing, recycling and disposal of E-waste in India have immense potential to harm human health and the environment. Furthermore, the policy level initiatives related to E-waste in India are reasonably recent and inadequate to address the issue. The paper tries to evaluate the current status of E-waste management practices in India. The domination of informal sector in the E-waste recycling business with all its socio-economic, health and environmental implications are dealt with in detail and the dawdling progress of formal recycling units in the country is assessed upon. The paper tries to identify the range of diverse stakeholders in the E-waste management system in India. These stakeholders are significant right from the production of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) to the final disposal of E-waste. The paper concludes that identifying the range of stakeholders in the E-waste management system and constructing a sustainable E-waste management system involving these stakeholders are the needs of the hour.

Generation and Management of Electronic Waste in the City of Pune, India

Electronic waste (E-waste) illustrates discarded appliances that utilize electricity for their functioning. It is one of the fastest growing waste streams across the globe. A study on the generation and management of E-waste was conducted in the city of Pune, India, involving four different stakeholders, namely, the information technology (IT) sector, banking sector, educational institutes, and households. All these stakeholders are listed by the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forest as major contributors to the problem of E-waste in the country. Semistructured interviews were carried out at 4 IT companies, 10 banks, 16 educational institutes, and 50 households. Results show that the generation of E-waste with respect to computer waste is highest at the IT sector, followed by the banking sector. Apart from a few exceptions, rudimentary management practices were prevalent among the stakeholders. There is a lack of awareness on concerns related to E-waste. Establishing sustainable E-waste management practices, formulation and implementation of appropriate policy initiatives, transparency in the system, and educating people on their responsibility toward global E-waste problem are essential in order to address the emerging concern of E-waste in India.

Assessing the side-effects of ICT development: E-waste production and management: A case study about cell phone end-of-life in Manado, Indonesia

The rapid evolution of ICT devices, together with an increasingly wide spread of the Internet and features such as social networks, results in a tremendous increase in the number of discarded cell phones. While the number of cell phone users is increasing very fast in Indonesia, the fate of phones once they are not used anymore is largely unclear. This study aimed at obtaining an overview of E-waste management in Indonesia using a critical case study approach, assessing the cell phone life cycle. The study was carried out in Manado, a medium-sized provincial capital in Indonesia, which has received government awards for its waste management. Yet, the study found indications that E-waste is ending up in landfills, and that dedicated legislation and monitoring systems for E-waste were lacking. As a result, there was little take-back action by producers, consequently leading to a lack of user awareness regarding E-waste disposal. The problems the Indonesian government is facing are twofold: first, E-waste is smuggled into the country in the form of used devices; second, a large number of second-hand devices with unknown sources are circulating within the country uncontrolled. From the current number of subscribers, it is estimated that more than 9.500 tons of waste are produced annually in Indonesia from cell phones alone, and the amount is steadily increasing. While the current study focused on the life cycle of cell phones, the situation for other electronic devices is likely to be very similar. Sustainable management of E-waste generated from the use of cell phones as well as other ICT devices is required not only to provide economic benefits from recycling of the valuable substances they contain, but most importantly for environmental protection. The results of this study indicate that an incentive system should play a key role in any take-back system for cell phones.

Policy trends of e-waste management in Asia

This paper examines the policy trends of electronic waste (e-waste) management in Asia. E-waste is a rapidly growing waste stream in the world today and is estimated to be growing at 3–5 % per annum. Fast paced obsolescence in the electronic sector has resulted in the generation of e-waste. There are concerns that e-waste generated in developed countries is ending up in developing countries especially in Asia resulting in adverse environmental and health impacts. Consequently, a number of countries in Asia are developing policy instruments to ensure the proper management of e-waste. These include e-waste regulatory frameworks, data and inventories, and infrastructure and capacity building. These trends indicate a positive development path towards sustainable e-waste management in Asia. Nevertheless, potential limiting obstacles for e-waste management in Asia may also include an over-reliance on legislation to drive e-waste management or the simplistic adoption of policies from developed countries without taking into context the local political, cultural and socio-economic waste management issues. Consequently, this paper suggest that e-waste policy development may require a more customized approach where, instead of addressing e-waste in isolation, it should be addressed as part of the national development agenda that integrates green economy assessment and strategic environmental assessment as part of national policy planning. In conclusion, policy trends of e-waste management in Asia appear promising provided there is a paradigm shift from an e-waste perception of an environment problem to a e-waste perception of a potential opportunity as sustainable national green growth strategy in Asia.

Willingness to pay for more sustainable e-waste management: a contingent valuation study in greece

Management of Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE also called e-waste) has become an issue of critical importance recently also in the frame of industrial ecology besides waste management per se, mostly due to their content in hazardous materials and the extensive implications of any intervention in a broad industrial spectrum. The effectiveness of any landfill diversion scheme depends on its acceptance by the local community and the industry, as well as adequate funding. This paper presents a contingent valuation approach in order to examine public environmental awareness and to assess the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the environmentally sound management of WEEE in Greece, based on a suitable, customized and easy-to-comprehend questionnaire. The survey revealed a still relative public ignorance on the subject and a reluctantly limited WTP. The latter is mostly triggered by the fact that respondents believed that associated expenses should be covered either by authorities or manufacturers (protest votes). However, based on the responses of those declaring a positive WTP, the average fee respondents are willing to pay exceeds the current recycling fee. Thus, existing recycling fees could be potentially increased in order to cover additional expenses for the development of infrastructure in areas not currently included in the national WEEE recycling program, as well as to provide the public with a dense network of disposal sites/bins in an effort to boost participation and WEEE recycling rates.

Dispatches

Dispatches

A roadmap for development of sustainable E-waste management system in India

The problem of E-waste has forced Environmental agencies of many countries to innovate, develop and adopt environmentally sound options and strategies for E-waste management, with a view to mitigate and control the ever growing threat of E-waste to the environment and human health. E-waste management is given the top priority in many developed countries, but in rapid developing countries like India, it is difficult to completely adopt or replicate the E-waste management system in developed countries due to many country specific issues viz. socio-economic conditions, lack of infrastructure, absence of appropriate legislations for E-waste, approach and commitments of the concerned, etc. This paper presents a review and assessment of the E-waste management system of developed as well as developing countries with a special emphasis on Switzerland, which is the first country in the world to have established and implemented a formal E-waste management system and has recycled 11 kg/capita of WEEE against the target of 4 kg/capita set by EU. And based on the discussions of various approaches, laws, legislations, practices of different countries, a road map for the development of sustainable and effective E-waste management system in India for ensuring environment, as well as, occupational safety and health, is proposed.