Waste of electrical and electronic equipment management from the perspective of a circular economy: A Review

Abstract

In addition to the difficulties involved in the management of conventional solid waste, the management of waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is significantly more complex due to its unusual chemical composition and fast generation. Both developed and developing countries have been looking for solutions to deal with the problems caused by the growing flow of WEEE, especially regarding sustainable solutions based on reducing resource exploitation by the recovery of materials from this type of waste. In this context, this work presents a quali-quantitative and comprehensive literature review of the publications on the management of WEEE, from the perspective of a circular economy. The results showed that the first publications on the topic appear in 2006, with a significant increase from 2015, the year when the Circular Economy Action Plan was instituted in the European Community. The most prominent authors have been giving emphasis to researches on recycling, reuse and technologies for the recovery of materials/energy from WEEE. Nevertheless, few studies have been found focusing on the prevention/reduction in WEEE generation, priority actions of the WEEE management hierarchy. The works analysed show that the current management of WEEE, despite considering the circularity of materials, prioritizes the development of technological solutions of the end-of-pipe type, greatly represented by the recovery of materials, instead of preventing the generation, which may be detrimental to long-term sustainability. The work ends with the presentation of a SWOT-TOWS (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis conducted to define the main strategies for the improvement of WEEE management from a circular economy perspective.

Environmental Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Occurrence and Remediation

“…This is reflected in the publications on this topic from 2000 to 2022. Further the focus of policy makers and people as been to recycle and extract precious metals from e-waste focus on circular economy rather than lowering the production of this waste [72]. The following are some international efforts to address problems associated with e-waste: The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (UN).…”