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Exploring e-waste management systems in the United States

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  • Kahhat, Ramzy
  • Kim, Junbeum
  • Xu, Ming
  • Allenby, Braden
  • Williams, Eric
  • Zhang, Peng

Abstract

Quantities of end-of-life electronics (or e-waste) around the world keep growing. More than 1.36million metric tons of e-waste were discarded, mainly in landfills, in the U.S. in 2005, and e-waste is projected to grow in the next few years. This paper explores issues relating to planning future e-waste regulation and management systems in the U.S. It begins by reviewing the existing U.S. recycling systems in the U.S. to establish the importance of developing public responses. Other countries and regions around the world have already legislated and implemented electronic takeback and recycling systems. To establish the context of existing experience, e-waste management systems in the European Union, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are explored. The paper then discusses what specific conditions are expected to influence the acceptability and implementation in the U.S. A key consideration is the cultural imperative in the U.S. for market-driven solutions that enable competition. Given this context, a solution is proposed that is designed to ensure a proper end-of-life option while at the same time establishing a competitive market for reuse and recycling services. The solution, termed e-Market for Returned Deposit, begins with a deposit paid by consumers to sellers at the time of purchase, electronically registered and tracked via a radio-frequency identification device (RFID) placed on the product. At end-of-life, consumers consult an Internet-enabled market in which firms compete to receive the deposit by offering consumers variable degrees of return on the deposit. After collection of the computer by the selected firm, the cyberinfrastructure utilizes the RFID to transfer the deposit to the winning firm when recycled. If the firm chooses to refurbish or resell the computer in lieu of recycling, the transfer is deferred until true end-of-life processing. Finally the paper discusses the domestic and international consequences of the implementation of the proposed design.

Suggested Citation

  • Kahhat, Ramzy & Kim, Junbeum & Xu, Ming & Allenby, Braden & Williams, Eric & Zhang, Peng, 2008. "Exploring e-waste management systems in the United States," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(7), pages 955-964.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:52:y:2008:i:7:p:955-964
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.03.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kang, Hai-Yong & Schoenung, Julie M., 2005. "Electronic waste recycling: A review of U.S. infrastructure and technology options," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 368-400.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Xue & Gaustad, Gabrielle & Babbitt, Callie W. & Richa, Kirti, 2014. "Economies of scale for future lithium-ion battery recycling infrastructure," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 53-62.
    2. Andiç, Esen & Yurt, Öznur & Baltacıoğlu, Tunçdan, 2012. "Green supply chains: Efforts and potential applications for the Turkish market," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 50-68.
    3. Kissling, Ramon & Coughlan, Damian & Fitzpatrick, Colin & Boeni, Heinz & Luepschen, Claudia & Andrew, Stefan & Dickenson, John, 2013. "Success factors and barriers in re-use of electrical and electronic equipment," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 21-31.
    4. Mary Lawhon, 2012. "Relational Power in the Governance of a South African E-Waste Transition," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(4), pages 954-971, April.
    5. Mallawarachchi, Harshani & Karunasena, Gayani, 2012. "Electronic and electrical waste management in Sri Lanka: Suggestions for national policy enhancements," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 44-53.
    6. Nnorom, I.C. & Osibanjo, O. & Ogwuegbu, M.O.C., 2011. "Global disposal strategies for waste cathode ray tubes," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(3), pages 275-290.
    7. Barbara V. Kasulaitis & Callie W. Babbitt & Andrew K. Krock, 2019. "Dematerialization and the Circular Economy: Comparing Strategies to Reduce Material Impacts of the Consumer Electronic Product Ecosystem," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(1), pages 119-132, February.
    8. Kahhat, Ramzy F. & Williams, Eric D., 2010. "Adoption and disposition of new and used computers in Lima, Peru," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(8), pages 501-505.
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    10. Y. Sarada & S. Sangeetha, 2022. "Coordinating a reverse supply chain with price and warranty dependent random demand under collection uncertainties," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 4119-4158, September.
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    12. Jang, Yong-Chul & Kim, Mincheol, 2010. "Management of used & end-of-life mobile phones in Korea: A review," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 11-19.
    13. Bouvier, Rachel & Wagner, Travis, 2011. "The influence of collection facility attributes on household collection rates of electronic waste: The case of televisions and computer monitors," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 1051-1059.
    14. Saphores, Jean-Daniel M. & Ogunseitan, Oladele A. & Shapiro, Andrew A., 2012. "Willingness to engage in a pro-environmental behavior: An analysis of e-waste recycling based on a national survey of U.S. households," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 49-63.
    15. Abdul Khaliq & Muhammad Akbar Rhamdhani & Geoffrey Brooks & Syed Masood, 2014. "Metal Extraction Processes for Electronic Waste and Existing Industrial Routes: A Review and Australian Perspective," Resources, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-28, February.
    16. Borthakur, Anwesha & Govind, Madhav, 2017. "Emerging trends in consumers’ E-waste disposal behaviour and awareness: A worldwide overview with special focus on India," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 117(PB), pages 102-113.
    17. Achillas, Ch. & Aidonis, D. & Vlachokostas, Ch. & Moussiopoulos, N. & Banias, G. & Triantafillou, D., 2012. "A multi-objective decision-making model to select waste electrical and electronic equipment transportation media," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 76-84.
    18. Yu, Jinglei & Williams, Eric & Ju, Meiting & Shao, Chaofeng, 2010. "Managing e-waste in China: Policies, pilot projects and alternative approaches," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(11), pages 991-999.
    19. Scruggs, Caroline E. & Nimpuno, Nardono & Moore, Rachel B.B., 2016. "Improving information flow on chemicals in electronic products and E-waste to minimize negative consequences for health and the environment," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 149-164.
    20. Gu, Yifan & Wu, Yufeng & Xu, Ming & Wang, Huaidong & Zuo, Tieyong, 2016. "The stability and profitability of the informal WEEE collector in developing countries: A case study of China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 18-26.
    21. 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.

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