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

Barletta, Ilaria Giovanna; Larborn, Jon; Mani, Mahesh; Johansson, Björn

doi:10.3390/su8010084

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Other areas of study related to the e-waste recycling process have addressed, but are not limited to: stress and occupational noise exposure in the case of e-waste recycling workers [31,68], public awareness regarding the informal sector's involvement in managing e-waste [33], developing an e-waste sorting methodology [69], the effect of macroeconomic and social factors on illegal e-waste trade [70], the link between gross domestic product (GDP) and e-waste [71].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of Individuals’ E-Waste Recycling Decision: A Case Study from Romania

et al. 2020

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Due to the increase of the amount of electrical and electronical equipment waste (e-waste), the understanding of individual consumers’ main decision triggers represents a key point in increasing the quantity of recycled e-waste. A series of studies from the literature have shown a positive relationship between the consumers’ attitude, awareness, self-efficacy, social norms, and their e-waste recycling intention, as well as the positive influence between the intention and the manifested behavior. Additional to these determinants, in the present study, the influence of social media was analyzed along with the actions taken by the government and nongovernmental organizations, with the purpose to include and to capture, as much as possible, a high amount of determinants in the e-waste recycling process. Nevertheless, the demographic or socio-economic variables, such as age, gender, income, education, number of family members, etc., have shown over time to have a contribution to predicting the consumers’ pro-recycling behavior. As on one side, in the research literature, the opinions related to which of the demographic or socio-economic factors can have an impact on the recycling behavior have been divided and, on another side, a series of researchers believe that the discrepancies in the findings of different studies can be due to culture in various countries, in this paper we conducted such an analysis with reference to the Romania’s case. The results have shown that the demographic variables, such as age and gender, can have a contribution to predicting residents’ pro-e-waste recycling behavior. Based on these findings, the policymakers can gain a better understanding of the e-waste recycling phenomenon and on its main triggers, with results in creating better policies for sustaining a proper e-waste managing system.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of Individuals’ E-Waste Recycling Decision: A Case Study from Romania

et al. 2020

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“…Since the Mexican recycling facilities investigated here did not have the end-processing technologies to recover precious metals, PCBs were the main component they exported, being sold to countries such as China, Japan, and Belgium. The next section will provide more details about the material flow and disassembly of PCBs National and international certifications for health and safety, quality, environmental impact, and social responsibility varied between recycling facilities, depending on their e-waste processing volume [8,15,34]. National permits are granted to all recycling facilities in Mexico (large, medium, and small) by government institutions such as SEMARNAT, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Labor and Social Prevention.…”

Section: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment In Recycling Facilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular Economy in the Electronic Products Sector: Material Flow Analysis and Economic Impact of Cellphone E-Waste in Mexico

et al. 2019

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The circular economy (CE) model has become highly relevant in recent years, with the electronics industry being one of the sectors that has considered its application. Despite only a limited amount of literature being available on waste electric and electronic equipment (e-waste) in Mexico, the Mexican Government, academic institutions, and electronics industry have coordinated efforts to implement the CE in the country. This study evaluates the current technical and economic situation of cellphone e-waste generated in Mexico by surveying and analyzing the main actors that influence the management of this waste and using a material flow analysis. Extensive fieldwork was conducted in order to quantify the extent of cellphone e-waste processing in both formal and informal channels. The study of printed circuit boards in cellphones shows that the total value of cellphone e-waste materials ranges between $11.277 and $12.444 million USD per year in Mexico. However, a value of only $0.677 million USD is recycled through formal channels. After characterizing the remanufacturing and recycling CE loops, we conclude that the potential for improvement and advancing towards a CE model is significant

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“…The sample size was determined from the general parameters to be estimated in a socioeconomic investigation, with various percentages and proportions of variables referring to a set of people or households. To determine the sample size for this study, the authors referenced the work of Bartlett et al [56] (see Equation 1), starting by using simple random sampling with the precision and statistical confidence required for the investigation [57,58].…”

Section: Sample Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Circular Economy in Mexico’s Electronic and Cell Phone Industry: Recent Evidence of Consumer Behavior

et al. 2020

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Circular Economy (CE) models are increasingly referenced in international fora and on many countries’ climate action agendas. This emphasis is associated with the international environmental and climate crisis. The case of the electronics industry remains particularly relevant, given its background in the use of CE models and its potential to enhance their use. This work focuses on consumer behavior regarding electronics products in Mexico. This is a largely under-researched topic not only in Mexico but also in Latin America. This study demonstrates that, by trying to extend the lifespan of their electronic products, consumers have awareness of product circularity. However, there is a lack of incentives to capitalize on this consumer interest, compounded by the limited participation of manufacturers and distributors. It is concluded that with a well-designed public policy, the electronics industry (including the mobile phone sector) in Mexico can move toward a CE model more rapidly. A stronger initiative for CE by design should be part of these policies, not only in Mexico but also internationally. The role of better eco-labelling in promoting consumers’ environmental awareness is essential. The lessons of this case study might be of interest to other countries as well.

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

Cited by 16 publications

References 32 publications

Determinants of Individuals’ E-Waste Recycling Decision: A Case Study from Romania

Determinants of Individuals’ E-Waste Recycling Decision: A Case Study from Romania

Circular Economy in the Electronic Products Sector: Material Flow Analysis and Economic Impact of Cellphone E-Waste in Mexico

Circular Economy in Mexico’s Electronic and Cell Phone Industry: Recent Evidence of Consumer Behavior

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