Estimation of waste from computers and mobile phones in Iran

The amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been rapidly growing in recent years. Estimation close to reality of the future amounts of WEEE as a function of time is critical to effective their management. Wastes from mobile phones and computers are one of the several subgroups of WEEE. The objective of this study was to estimate past and future trends in the generation of obsolete computers and mobile phones in Iran. For this purpose a combination of two models were used. At the beginning, time-series multiple lifespan model was used to estimate outflows end-of-life obsolete equipment. Then, using the simplified logistic function model by Excel software, the values of obsolete computers and mobile phones in the future were estimated. The study found that the amount of E-waste generation in the country was 20 million wasted computers until 2016 and 39 million wasted mobile phones until 2014. Results of the time series model analysis showed a total amount of 2.8 million waste computers would be reused by 2016 and 4.2 million mobile phones would be reused by 2014. The results of the logistic equation indicate that by the year 2040 there will be 50 million units of obsolete computers. According to the same model 90 million mobile phones will be obsolete by 2035. Increase in the number of computers and mobile phones was fitted into the logistic model and the results showed that the saturation level of generation of obsolete computers and mobile phones are 24 and 21 years respectively following the base year 2016 and 2014.     

废弃电池能否进入废弃电器电子产品处理目录(第二批)管理的筛选评估分析

2009年2月,国务院发布《废弃电器电子产品回收处理管理条例》,成为我国废弃电器电子产品回收处理的纲领性文件。在《废弃电器电子产品处理目录(第一批)》中,明确将电视机、电冰箱、洗衣机、房间空调器、微型计算机等5种产品纳入第一批目录。同时,为了为了能够及时、客观地与经济发展、技术进步以及电器电子产品行业的发展变化等相适应,《目录》管理委员会起草了《制订和调整废弃电器电子产品处理目录的若干规定》,明确随着经济发展变化及电子产品废弃形势调整电器电子产品处理目录的原则。废弃电池在近几年来在我国增长速度很大,将来的管理形势十分紧迫。本文在此分析我国几种废弃电池(铅酸电池、镍氢电池及锂电池)的产生量、再生处理处置情况及管理政策导向。并在目录一批筛选原则的基础上利用权重分析法,筛选评估废弃电池能否进入废弃电器电子产品处理目录(第二批)管理的可能,研究显示铅酸电池已具备进入管理目录的资质。     

Environmental impacts and use of brominated flame retardants in electrical and electronic equipment

Management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or e-waste is becoming a major issue as around 20–50 million tons of such waste is generated worldwide and increasing at a higher rate than other solid waste streams. Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) contains over 1,000 materials of which brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been the target of the regulators forcing manufacturers to adopt halogen-free flame retardants. As far as these alternatives are concerned, key consideration should be its performance during the whole life cycle through design, use and end-of-life management. The global halogen-free flame retardant movement has reached a point of no return. The most important issue as far as the environment is concerned, for which the transformation to halogen-free retardants was initially targeted, is to make sure that life span of the EEE using the alternatives to BFRs is not shortened thereby resulting in unforeseen increases in e-waste to deal with. The aim of this article is to investigate the environmental issues and current developments related to the use of BFRs in EEE manufacture. It describes the sources, toxicity and human exposure of BFRs, EOL management such as recycling and thermal treatments, exposure of BFRs from e-waste processing facilities and the environment around them and examines the developments and feasibility of the alternatives to BFR in EEE manufacture.     

废旧电子电气设备回收处理的研究进展

概述了目前全球对废旧电子电气设备(Waste of Electronic Electric Equipment,简称WEEE)回收处理的基本情况,并根据废旧电子电气设备处理的特点,从机械物理处理方法、热化学处理方法以及处理过程中产生有毒有害物质的分离技术三方面,介绍近年来废旧电子电气设备回收处理的研究进展,最后指出了真空热解的使用将作为未来废旧电子电气设备处理的发展方向。     

Sound management of brominated flame retarded (BFR) plastics from electronic wastes: State of the art and options in Nigeria

Management of flame retarded plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been posing a major challenge to waste management experts because of the potential environmental contamination issues especially the formation of polybrominated-dioxins and -furans (PBDD/F) during processing. In Nigeria, large quantities of electronic waste (e-waste) are currently being managed—a significant quantity of which is imported illegally as secondhand electronics. As much as 75% of these illegal imports are never reused but are rather discarded. These waste electronic devices are mostly older equipment that contains brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as penta-brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) which are presently banned in Europe under the EU WEEE and RoHS Directives. Risk assessment studies found both to be persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic. The present management practices for waste plastics from WEEE in Nigeria, such as open burning and disposal at open dumps, creates potential for serious environmental pollution. This paper reviews the options in the environmentally sound management of waste plastics from electronic wastes. Options available include mechanical recycling, reprocessing into chemicals (chemical feedstock recycling) and energy recovery. The Creasolv^® and Centrevap^® processes, which are the outcome of the extensive research at achieving sound management of waste plastics from WEEE in Europe, are also reviewed. These are solvent-based methods of removing BFRs and they presently offer the best commercial and environmental option in the sound management of waste BFR-containing plastics. Because these developments have not been commercialized, WEEE and WEEE plastics are still being exported to developing countries. The industrial application of these processes and the development of eco-friendlier alternative flame retardants will help assure sound management of WEEE plastics.     

Two decades,three WEEE systems: How far did EPR evolve in Korea's resource circulation policy?

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) has become a dominant policy paradigm for the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in the last two decades. In South Korea the principle has guided the evolution of the resource circulation policy even before its official introduction through a revision of the recycling law in 2002. Elements of producer responsibilities could be found in the producer-based deposit refund system (DRS) a decade earlier and they were strengthened through the enactment of a new resource circulation law in 2008. This article reviews the policy changes in South Korea for the management of WEEE during the past 20 years. The focus of the analysis is on the impacts of EPR and the producers’ responses that were expressed through the quantity and the quality of material flows in the society. The findings are discussed in light of international experiences in order to outline measures to improve the effectiveness of the EPR-based resource circulation policy that could have broader implications beyond the case study.     

建立有效回收网络,防治危险废物污染环境

工业废弃物中，废酸碱、重金属、废矿物油等都属于危险废物，我们日常生活中的废电池、灯管、显像管、空调、冰箱等都含有大量成分的危险废物。开展危险废物的有效回收，建立有效回收网络，才能从根本上防治危险废物进入环境，防治危险废物给人类与环境造成严重灾难。     

我国电子废弃物处理产业现状与前景探讨

电子废弃物处理产业是伴随我国近年来社会经济快速发展而产生的一个新兴产业。本文分析了电子废弃物的经济价值、处理技术和产业政策,并对我国电子废弃物处理产业的现状与前景进行了探讨。     

电子废弃物资源化技术现状

随着电子废弃物数量的日益增加和对电子废弃物资源化利用要求的提高,电子废弃物经历了由堆存到资源化利用的发展过程.目前电子废弃物资源化技术主要包括物理处理法、化学处理法和热处理法等方法,实现电子废弃物的资源化.     

Determination of toxic metals in discarded Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)

This study focused on the determination of the toxic metal content of Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) present in various Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The main objective was the identification and quantification of toxic metals detected in LCD panels. An experimental procedure which involved dismantling, shredding, pulverization, digestion and chemical analysis was followed for the sorting, separation and analysis of LCD monitors from various electronic devices that are currently on the market. Nine selected devices were examined, originated from four different types of e-waste (WEEE); TVs, computers, mobile phones and tablets. Eleven metals were measured in all examined samples. In addition, concentration values of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were compared with the respective limits set by the RoHS 2002/95/EC Directive that was recently renewed by the 2012/19/EU recast. The comparison revealed that the examined toxic metals on LCD panels did not exceed the limits set by the European Union (EU). Furthermore, when results were compared to the TTLC regulatory limits it was revealed that in three samples As concentrations were higher than the limit. Finally, when the TCLP test was implemented the aforementioned samples did not exhibit proportionally elevated values in their leachates.     

Electronic waste recycling: A review of U.S. infrastructure and technology options

The useful life of consumer electronic devices is relatively short, and decreasing as a result of rapid changes in equipment features and capabilities. This creates a large waste stream of obsolete electronic equipment, electronic waste (e-waste).Even though there are conventional disposal methods for e-waste, these methods have disadvantages from both the economic and environmental viewpoints. As a result, new e-waste management options need to be considered, for example, recycling. But electronic recycling has a short history, so there is not yet a solid infrastructure in place.In this paper, the first half describes trends in the amount of e-waste, existing recycling programs, and collection methods. The second half describes various methods available to recover materials from e-waste. In particular, various recycling technologies for the glass, plastics, and metals found in e-waste are discussed. For glass, glass-to-glass recycling and glass-to-lead recycling technologies are presented. For plastics, chemical (feedstock) recycling, mechanical recycling, and thermal recycling methods are analyzed. Recovery processes for copper, lead, and precious metals such as silver, gold, platinum, and palladium are reviewed. These processes are described and compared on the basis of available technologies, resources, and material input–output systems.     

我国废旧手机回收利用现状与对策分析

随着手机用户的增加，每年会产生大量的废旧手机。废旧手机一方面对环境构成潜在危害，一方面又具有回收利用的价值。本文针对我国目前废旧手机回收利用的现状，提出手机回收利用的措施，以有效应对电子垃圾污染，并实现资源的循环利用。     

改造碳黑废水处理设施使废水循环使用

介绍碳黑废水处理工艺流程的技术改造及其技术要点。着重阐述了关键设备斜管沉淀池的运行原理、运行结果及其在整个流程改造过程中所起的作用。改造后的工艺流程特点是斜管沉淀效率高，出水水质好，副产品碳黑质优销路好，劳动强度低，废水可循环使用，设备占地少，运行费用低，总体效益好。改造后实现了全厂生产用水闭路循环，取得了可观的经济、环境、社会效益。废水循环利用在技术上是可行的，经济上有收益，实现了废水及固体废物的资源化。     

Producer responsibility for e-waste management: key issues for consideration - learning from the Swiss experience

E-waste, a relatively recent addition to the waste stream in the form of discarded electronic and electric equipment, is getting increasing attention from policy makers as the quantity being generated is rising rapidly. One of the most promising policy options to address this issue is to extend the producers responsibility for their products beyond the point of sale, until end-of-product-life. This paper briefly introduces the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR) and its applicability in the area of the end-of-life management of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). It then examines the decade-long experience of Switzerland in using EPR to manage its e-waste, elaborating on the experience of the Swiss system in overcoming specific issues, and finally wrapping up with a synopsis of the lessons for policy makers. We consider each issue as an enquiry of questions confronting a policy maker and the choices that may present themselves. The five issues discussed are: (i) the challenges in getting an EPR based system started; (ii) securing financing to ensure a self-sustaining and smooth functioning system; (iii) organising a logistics network for the take back and collection of the e-waste; (iv) ensuring compliance of the various actors involved; and finally (v) reducing the threat of monopolistic practices.     

One laptop per child,local refurbishment or overseas donations? Sustainability assessment of computer supply scenarios for schools in Colombia

With the intention of bridging the ‘digital divide’ many programmes have been launched to provide computers for educational institutions, ranging from refurbishing second hand computers to delivering low cost new computers. The fast and economical provision of large quantities of equipment is one of the many challenges faced by such programmes. If an increase is to be achieved in the sustainability of computer supplies for schools, not only must equipment be provided, but also suitable training and maintenance delivered. Furthermore, appropriate recycling has to be ensured, so that end-of-life equipment can be dealt with properly. This study has evaluated the suitability of three computer supply scenarios to schools in Colombia: (i) ‘Colombian refurbishment’, -refurbishment of computers donated in Colombia, (ii) ‘Overseas refurbishment’, -import of computers which were donated and refurbished abroad, and (iii) ‘XO Laptop’, -purchase of low cost computers manufactured in Korea. The methods applied were: Material Flow Assessment, -to assess the quantities-, Life Cycle Assessment, -to assess the environmental impacts, and the application of the Multiple Attribute Utility Theory, -to analyse, evaluate and compare different scenarios. The most sustainable solution proved to be the local refurbishment of second hand computers of Colombian origin to an appropriate technical standard. The environmental impacts of such practices need to be evaluated carefully, as second hand appliances have to be maintained, require spare parts and sometimes use more energy than newer equipment. Providing schools with second hand computers from overseas and through programmes such as ‘One Laptop Per Child’ has the disadvantage that the potential for social improvements – such as creation of jobs and local industry involvement – is very low.     

Closed loop recycling of plastics containing Flame Retardants

Annually 2.7 million tonnes of plastics containing Flame Retardants (FRs) are globally discarded in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Little is known on the feasibility of closing material loops for FR plastics. Therefore, series of experiments were set up to analyze the feasibility of separating plastics containing FRs from one specific product category, namely End-of-Life (EoL) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs. The characterization of the housings of this waste stream indicated a concentration of 18 wt% Bromine based (Br) FRs and 31 wt% Phosphor based (P) FRs, the remainder not containing FRs. With practical tests it was demonstrated that, after disassembly and plastic identification, the co-polymer poly-carbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) containing PFR can be recycled in a closed loop system. Based on the determined plastic density distributions and separation efficiencies of optical sorters, a purity of 82% was calculated for PFR PC/ABS separated from EoL LCD TVs after size-reduction (shredding). Performed miscibility tests indicated that for this fraction at least a factor 10 dilution with virgin material is required. In addition, higher waste volumes are required for a size-reduction based treatment to become economically viable and technical challenges still need to be faced, whereas closed loop recycling of PFR PC/ABS from the current waste stream of EoL LCD TVs of different brands in a disassembly based treatment is found to be technically feasible and economically viable under European boundary conditions.     

Environmental and economic impact assessment of construction and demolition waste disposal using system dynamics

Construction and demolition wastes (CDW) have increasingly serious problems in environmental, social, and economic realms. There is no coherent framework for utilization of these wastes which are disposed both legally and illegally. This harms the environment, contributes to the increase of energy consumption, and depletes finite landfills resources. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impacts of two alternatives for the management of CDW, recycling and disposing. The evaluation is carried out through developing a dynamic model with aid STELLA software by conducting the following steps: (1) quantifying the total cost incurred to mitigate the impacts of CDW landfills and uncollected waste on the environment and human health; (2) quantifying the total avoided emissions and saved energy by recycling waste; (3) estimating total external cost saved by recycling waste and; (4) providing a decision support tool that helps in re-thinking about waste disposal. The proposed evaluation methodology allows activating the stringent regulations that restrict waste disposal and developing incentives to encourage constructors to recycle their wastes. The research findings show that recycling CDW leads to significant reductions in emissions, energy use, global warming potential (GWP), and conserves landfills space when compared to disposal of wastes in landfills. Furthermore, the cost of mitigating the impact of disposal is extremely high. Therefore, it is necessary to recycle construction and demolition wastes.     

中国废弃手机回收的管理策略研究

作为“城市矿产”的典型代表，废弃手机因其废弃数量大、稀贵金属品位高等特性而备受关注，但在推进废弃手机回收过程中存在诸多问题。本文以推动产业发展为立足点，梳理了影响废弃手机回收的两级制衡要素，通过构建GREY-DEMATEL模型，定量评估各要素对废弃手机回收的影响程度并确定优先等级。其中，完善废弃手机回收的管理制度及相应的经济扶持政策成为短期内应着力解决的核心问题，从长期发展来看，废弃手机的前端收集应成为产业关注的重点。基于此，本文立足于废弃手机回收的短期目标及长远发展，分别提出相应的管理策略，为再生资源产业的良性发展提供对策建议。     

生产者责任延伸制度在电子废弃物管理中的探讨

电子废弃物的污染问题日益引起人们的关注，而我国传统废弃物的处理和管理制度的不完善使大量的有用资源没有得到有效回收，不符合全民节约和循环经济原则。本文从环境经济学角度，结合其它国家和地区的生产者责任延伸制的颁布和运行情况，对我国电子废弃物的管理中施行生产责任延伸制（EPR）进行初步探讨。     

德国电子废弃物循环利用体系的调查与思考

德国主要电子废弃物冰箱、显像管和灯管的循环利用技术和体系以及现行的法律法规，对我国电子废弃物的循环利用具有借鉴意义，因而应尽快建立生活垃圾和电子废弃物分类收集体系，充分利用可回收资源。