Material flow analysis of used personal computers in Japan |
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| Authors: | Aya Yoshida Tomohiro Tasaki Atsushi Terazono |
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| Institution: | 1. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece;2. University of Thessaly, Greece;3. National Technical University of Athens, Greece;1. Faculty of Science Policy and Government, Urban Development and Management – Ekística – Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia;2. School of Administration, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia;1. Center for Solid Waste Research (CSWR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;2. Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;3. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;1. Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Energy Systems (IGES), Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90110, Songkhla, Thailand;2. Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90110, Songkhla, Thailand;3. Research Program: Municipal Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Management, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok, 10330, Thailand;1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China;2. International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria;1. Sostenipra, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB) Building Q UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain;2. Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, (UAB) Building C Campus UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain;3. Inèdit Innovació s.l., Research Park of the UAB, Carretera de Cabrils, km. 2, IRTA, 08348 Cabrils, Spain |
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| Abstract: | Most personal computers (PCs) are discarded by consumers after the data files have been moved to a new PC. Therefore, a used PC collection scheme should be created that does not depend on the distribution route of new PCs. In Japan, manufacturers’ voluntary take-back recycling schemes were established in 2001 (for business PCs) and 2003 (for household PCs). At the same time, the export of used PCs from Japan increased, affecting the domestic PC reuse market. These regulatory and economic conditions would have changed the flow of used PCs.In this paper, we developed a method of minimizing the errors in estimating the material flow of used PCs. The method’s features include utilization of both input and output flow data and elimination of subjective estimation as much as possible. Flow rate data from existing surveys were used for estimating the flow of used PCs in Japan for fiscal years (FY) 2000, 2001, and 2004. The results show that 3.92 million and 4.88 million used PCs were discarded in FY 2000 and 2001, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of the discarded PCs were disposed of or recycled within the country, one-fourth was reused within the country, and 8% were exported. In FY 2004, 7.47 million used PCs were discarded. The ratio of domestic disposal and recycling decreased to 37% in FY 2004, whereas the domestic reuse and export ratios increased to 37% and 26%, respectively. Flows from businesses to retailers in FY 2004 increased dramatically, which led to increased domestic reuse. An increase in the flow of used PCs from lease and rental companies to secondhand shops has led to increased exports. Results of interviews with members of PC reuse companies were and trade statistics were used to verify the results of our estimation of domestic reuse and export of used PCs. |
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