Eco-Efficiency Comparative Analysis of Informal and Formal Smartphone Recycling Practices Using Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

Due to a lack of environmental protection awareness and knowledge, many practices informally recycle smartphone waste to get precious metals. Smartphones are hazardous and toxic waste materials, so they require proper handling not to cause problems for the environment. This study aims to measure the environmental impact and eco-efficiency level of formal recycling practices carried out by licensed companies and compare them with informal recycling practices carried out by the community. Environmental impact measurement uses Life Cycle Assessment with the eco-cost method. The measurement results show informal recycling practices have a higher environmental impact than formal recycling practices. Informal recycling practices harm almost every category, while formal recycling has a significant positive impact on the acidification and metal scarcity categories. Based on the value of the eco-efficiency index, formal recycling practices are affordable and sustainable and have an eco-efficiency level of 100%. Economically, formal recycling provides higher financial benefits than informal recycling. Thus, formal recycling practices are better and more profitable than informal recycling practices from the economic and environmental aspects. So, it is time for Indonesia to switch to a formal recycling process carried out by licensed companies considering the vast potential for waste as a raw material. The government's role is to invite the public to distribute smartphone waste to licensed recycling companies.

Economic and environmental benefits of e-waste management networks design in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia

“…Individuals carry out informal recycling activities; due to a lack of knowledge and facilities, this practice pays less attention to health and environmental aspects. Using the eco-cost method, the cost of the environmental impact is enormous, namely 3.188 × 10 8 EUR (Sari, Masruroh, & Asih, 2023) or equivalent to 5.149 × 10 12 IDR for 8,000 units, so that per-unit costs 6.436 × 10 8 IDR. One ton of smartphone waste produces 158.8 gr of gold; if the gold price is 832,008.38 IDR per gr, it will generate an income of 132,122,930.74 IDR or equivalent to 16,515,366 IDR per unit of smartphone waste.…”

“…If 1 ton contains 8,000 smartphones, the income per smartphone from recycling activities is 62,885.92 IDR. Therefore, the environmental impact cost for 1 ton of smartphones is -3.12 × 10 9 EUR (Sari et al, 2023). Due to the negative value, no costs are incurred to address the environmental impacts of this practice, so the environmental impact costs are considered to be zero.…”

Assessing environmental impact in brass component companies through life cycle assessment: a case study of brass crafts smes

“…Previous researchers have carried out the use of LCA for measuring environmental impacts in several different research objects, such as in cement [10][11] [12], construction [13] [14], furniture [15][16], electronics [17] and mining industries [18] [19]. Assessment of environmental impacts using LCA has also been carried out by several previous researchers in the iron and steel [20], aluminum [9], and nickel industries [21].…”