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Analysis of material and energy consumption of mobile phones in China

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  • Yu, Jinglei
  • Williams, Eric
  • Ju, Meiting

Abstract

Owing to booming mobile phone ownership and a short product innovation cycle, waste mobile phones are flooding China. In 2008, about 560 million mobile phones were produced and 634 million users subscribed to a mobile phone plan in China. These large numbers mean that the charging and disposal of mobile phones has the potential to have significant impacts on the environment. Thus the evaluation of material and energy consumption of mobile phones is an important task in the end-of-life management of electronic products. This paper uses material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) methods to estimate the life cycle impacts of mobile phones in China from manufacturing energy, use phase and generation of waste mobile phones. Results indicate over the mobile phone life cycle, manufacturing accounts for 50% of the total energy consumption, whereas the use phase accounts for only 20%. Mobile phones and supporting infrastructures account for a rapidly increasing 0.17% of Chinese energy use. In 2008, around 77 million units of waste mobile phones were generated in China. To manage this energy use and recover valuable materials recommendations are made to increase lifespan, improve energy efficiency during use and ensure recycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu, Jinglei & Williams, Eric & Ju, Meiting, 2010. "Analysis of material and energy consumption of mobile phones in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 4135-4141, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:38:y:2010:i:8:p:4135-4141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schaefer, Carsten & Weber, Christoph & Voss, Alfred, 2003. "Energy usage of mobile telephone services in Germany," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 411-420.
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    2. Yang, Tian-Jian & Zhang, Yue-Jun & Huang, Jin & Peng, Ruo-Hong, 2013. "Estimating the energy saving potential of telecom operators in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 448-459.
    3. Velmurugan, Manivannan Senthil, 2017. "Sustainable perspectives on energy consumption, EMRF, environment, health and accident risks associated with the use of mobile phones," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 192-206.
    4. Wang, Zhaohua & Zhang, Hongzhi & Li, Hao & Wang, Song & Wang, Zhenpo, 2023. "Identifying the key factors to China's unsustainable external circulation through the accounting of the flow of embodied energy and virtual water," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    5. Paiano, Annarita & Lagioia, Giovanni & Cataldo, Andrea, 2013. "A critical analysis of the sustainability of mobile phone use," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 162-171.
    6. Evgeniya Yushkova & Yunting Feng, 2017. "What explains the intention to bring mobile phones for recycling? A study on university students in China and Germany," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 501-516, July.
    7. Pietrelli, Loris & Ferro, Sergio & Vocciante, Marco, 2019. "Eco-friendly and cost-effective strategies for metals recovery from printed circuit boards," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 317-323.
    8. Feng, Lipan & Govindan, Kannan & Li, Chunfa, 2017. "Strategic planning: Design and coordination for dual-recycling channel reverse supply chain considering consumer behavior," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 260(2), pages 601-612.
    9. Daniela Cordova-Pizarro & Ismael Aguilar-Barajas & David Romero & Ciro A. Rodriguez, 2019. "Circular Economy in the Electronic Products Sector: Material Flow Analysis and Economic Impact of Cellphone E-Waste in Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Manivannan S Velmurugan, 2016. "The energy consumption and health hazards of mobile phones," Energy & Environment, , vol. 27(8), pages 896-904, December.
    11. Zeng, Xianlai & Li, Jinhui & Liu, Lili, 2015. "Solving spent lithium-ion battery problems in China: Opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1759-1767.
    12. Weidong Zhang & Xueqing Huang & Fuqiang Wang, 2023. "A Dual-Channel Strategy for Online Recovery Platforms to Increase Recovery Quantity and Profits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-27, April.
    13. Rahmani, Mehdi & Nabizadeh, Ramin & Yaghmaeian, Kamyar & Mahvi, Amir Hossein & Yunesian, Massoud, 2014. "Estimation of waste from computers and mobile phones in Iran," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 21-29.
    14. Lai, Kee-hung & Wong, Christina W.Y., 2012. "Green logistics management and performance: Some empirical evidence from Chinese manufacturing exporters," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 267-282.

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