Recycling Mobile Phone Impact on Life Cycle Assessment

Soo, Vi Kie; Doolan, Matthew

doi:10.1016/j.procir.2014.06.005

Cited by 48 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Disposal of mobile phones into landfill is a real possibility under the current business model which can result in leaching these materials and metals into the environment (Kiddee et al 2013;Lincoln et al 2007;Uryu et al 2003). The location of recycling will have an effect upon its eventual environmental impact (Soo and Doolan 2014;Wong et al 2007;Rochat et al 2007), and it is shown that governmental legislation plays an important role in the controls placed upon emissions. The emissions associated with pyrolysis of mobile phones have been analysed (Molto et al 2011) along with open air burning of e-waste Gullett et al 2007).…”

Section: Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

Suckling

Lee

2015

Int J Life Cycle Assess

102

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Purpose The aim of this study is to explore the literature surrounding the environmental impact of mobile phones and the implications of moving from the current business model of selling, using and discarding phones to a product service system based upon a cloud service. The exploration of the impacts relating to this shift and subsequent change in scope is explored in relation to the life cycle profile of a typical smartphone. Methods A literature study is conducted into the existing literature in order to define the characteristics of a Btypicalŝ martphone. Focus is given to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in different life cycle phases in line with that reported in the majority of literature. Usage patterns from literature are presented in order to show how a smartphone is increasingly responsible for not only data consumption but also data generation. The subsequent consequences of this for the balance of the life cycle phases are explored with the inclusion of wider elements in the potential expanded mobile infrastructure, such as servers and the network. Results and discussion From the available literature, the manufacturing phase is shown to dominate the life cycle of a Btypical^smartphone for GHG emissions. Smartphone users are shown to be increasingly reliant upon the internet for provision of their communications. Adding a server into the scope of a smartphone is shown to increase the use phase impact from 8.5 to 18.0 kg CO 2 -eq, other phases are less affected. Addition of the network increases the use phase by another 24.7 kg CO 2 -eq. In addition, it is shown that take-back of mobile phones is not effective at present and that prompt return of the phones could result in reduction in impact by best reuse potential and further reduction in toxic emissions through inappropriate disposal. Conclusions The way in which consumers interact with their phones is changing, leading to a system which is far more integrated with the internet. A product service system based upon a cloud service highlights the need for improved energy efficiency to make greatest reduction in GHG emissions in the use phase, and gives a mechanism to exploit residual value of the handsets by timely return of the phones, their components and recovery of materials.

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Section: Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

Suckling

Lee

2015

Int J Life Cycle Assess

102

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“…Among the e-waste the mobile phones waste generation is growing quickly because of the lifetime of these electronic devices is generally 1-3 years [2]. The mobile phone is composed of different parts such as battery, display and electronic boards and according to research approximately 80% of materials in mobile phone is recyclable [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovery of Indium from Mobile Phone Touch Screen Using Adapted Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Rezaei¹,

Mousavi²,

Pourhossein³

2018

IJBBB

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Abstract:The toxicity of heavy metals has important role in thermophilic microorganism growth in bioleaching of e-waste. The mobile phone touch screen has high concentration of several heavy metals that caused negative effect on bacterial activity and metals recovery. In the present investigation, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was adapted to powder of mobile phone touch screen. The serial subculturing approach was used for bacterial adaptation with heavy metals. The experiments began with 0.1 wt/vol.% pulp density eventually increase to 2.5 wt/vol.%. All experiment conducted in 100 ml 9k medium at the initial pH 2 and 2% (v/v) inoculums. The effective parameters such as pH, Eh, Fe 3+ , cell concentration were studied and the results confirmed as well as each other. Indium recovery for adapted cell, non-adapted cell and control were 100% (adapted) , 10% (non-adapted) , 1% (control) , respectively. Finally, it is essential that the bacteria become adapted with the heavy metals and consequently an acceptable bioleaching process will be achieved.

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“…Most major electronic equipment is shipped with a display to facilitate an easy interaction with the user and LCD technology has become the medium of choice because of the advanced technology LCDs present. The cell phone market is increasing in the past 15 years, as figure 2 shows [15]. Worldwide, cell phone subscribers are growth at average 13.…”

Section: Need Of Recycling Of Lcd Of Cellphonementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The consumer equipment many LCD screens are built for generally face a short usephase with ever decreasing lifespans. Mobile phone with their average use phase of under 2 years serve as a good example for this phenomenon [15]. In the vast majority, these phones are still perfectly usable [14].…”

Section: Need Of Recycling Of Lcd Of Cellphonementioning

confidence: 99%

Re (Cell) LCD: A Feasibility Study On Recycling Cell Phone LCDS

Alotaibi¹,

Beaschler²,

Rathod³

et al. 2017

IJERA

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Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) are used in a magnitude of devices and have now become the norm in products that require a screen, such as, cell phones, computers, televisions, tablets, and more. However, many of these technologies are becoming outdated leading towards the issue of exponential growth of waste with a lack of technology set in place for proper recycling. Most of research literatures on LCD recycling are of electronic products and e-waste in general rather than cell phones in particular. Few studies on recycling of cell phone LCD have been accomplished. Since everyday around 300,000 mobile phones are sent to trash in United States alone, the recycling of LCD of cell phones is still a challenge for recyclers. In this paper four main topics will be discussed: Establishing need of recycling of LCD due to its environmental impacts, increasing number of LCD usage with time, current EoL (End of Life) process and challenges associated with it in terms of environment, economy and social aspects. By our findings, we are aiming to examine the sustainable feasibility of recycling LCD of cell phones comparing with other LCD products. Our approach for obtaining data for LCD of cell phones is to simulate details from other LCD products (LCD Monitor, LCD PC, LCD TV) such as main elements, recovery of substances, energy required to produce, etc.Finally, we will conclude with the observations with important considerations for a holistic approach to make LCD recycling of cell phones feasible. The results aim to enable recyclers to add confidence in LCD recycling of cell phones and also for researchers to extend this work with innovative ways and cost-effective approach in future.

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Recycling Mobile Phone Impact on Life Cycle Assessment

Cited by 48 publications

References 13 publications

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

Recovery of Indium from Mobile Phone Touch Screen Using Adapted Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Re (Cell) LCD: A Feasibility Study On Recycling Cell Phone LCDS

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