Optimized Collection of EoL Electronic Products for Circular Economy: A Techno-economic Assessment

摘要

The relevance of a circular model is widely accepted for the lifecycle management of electrical and electronic products (e-products), given the low recovery rates of valuable resources in current end-of-life (EoL) practices focused on recycling. However, missing insight into the technical and business potential for alternative EoL options (reuse, repair and remanufacturing) holds stakeholders from implementing circular strategies. In this context, our study first mapped by means of material flow analysis (MFA) the life cycle stages of e-products in Denmark and then performed a preliminary economic assessment that evaluates the potential of a circular model. Our findings suggest that a management system centered on reuse could potentially be economically viable, and would likely lead to a substantial cycling of resources and potentially local or regional socio-economic benefits.