Environmental impact and end of life management of telephone exchange equipment

摘要

The aim of this study is to estimate the total amount of materials used in the Telecom Italia telephone exchange (TE) equipment operating in the fixed network in Italy, in order to assess their environmental impact, to improve their end of life (EOL) management and to obtain information for the Telecom Italia Environmental Report. Two systems, having different logical gates number (LGN), were analyzed. Three representative types of electronic printed wires boards (PWB), used in this electronic equipment, were analyzed in details and a mass balance of all the mounted electronic components was done. The results of the inventory allowed us to evaluate the total amount of the materials for all electronic equipment of the same manufacturer. The inventory data were used in an environmental software based on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and for the first time the relationship between environmental impact and the LGN is presented. Finally it was possible to indicate some EOL management improvements.