IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/recore/v95y2015icp46-57.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Social impact assessment of informal recycling of electronic ICT waste in Pakistan using UNEP SETAC guidelines

Author

Listed:
  • Umair, Shakila
  • Björklund, Anna
  • Petersen, Elisabeth Ekener

Abstract

New and improved Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is being produced every day. With every new product on the market, an older product becomes obsolete. These obsolete products are being added to the world's fastest growing waste stream, ICT electronic waste (e-waste). This is formally recycled in developed countries, stockpiled, landfilled or shipped to developing countries, such as Pakistan, here it is recycled informally through crude processes (e.g. manual dismantling, burning, dumping and dipping in acids to extract gold and other precious metals). This study assessed the social impacts of informal e-waste recycling in Pakistan using data obtained in a detailed on-site inventory of the processes directly involved in informal e-waste recycling. The inventory and assessment were conducted according to United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) guidelines on Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA). The results presented in this paper fill an important data gap and can be integrated with data on other stages of ICT product lifecycle to produce a full SLCA of such products.

Suggested Citation

  • Umair, Shakila & Björklund, Anna & Petersen, Elisabeth Ekener, 2015. "Social impact assessment of informal recycling of electronic ICT waste in Pakistan using UNEP SETAC guidelines," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 46-57.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:95:y:2015:i:c:p:46-57
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.11.008
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344914002407
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.11.008?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nnorom, I.C. & Osibanjo, O., 2008. "Overview of electronic waste (e-waste) management practices and legislations, and their poor applications in the developing countries," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(6), pages 843-858.
    2. Sylvie Albert & Don Flournoy, 2010. "Think Global, Act Local: How ICTs are Changing the Landscape in Community Development," International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development (IJSKD), IGI Global, vol. 2(1), pages 59-79, January.
    3. Balaji Rajagopalan & Derek Hillison & Roger Calantone & Vallabh Sambamurthy, 2010. "Diffusion of information and communication technologies: a takeoff analysis," International Journal of Business Information Systems, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 5(4), pages 329-347.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Awasthi, Abhishek Kumar & Li, Jinhui, 2017. "An overview of the potential of eco-friendly hybrid strategy for metal recycling from WEEE," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 228-239.
    2. Sabbaghi, Mostafa & Esmaeilian, Behzad & Cade, Willie & Wiens, Kyle & Behdad, Sara, 2016. "Business outcomes of product repairability: A survey-based study of consumer repair experiences," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 114-122.
    3. Dixit, Saumya & Badgaiyan, Anant Jyoti, 2016. "Towards improved understanding of reverse logistics – Examining mediating role of return intention," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 115-128.
    4. Lu, Yan & Xu, Zhenming, 2016. "Precious metals recovery from waste printed circuit boards: A review for current status and perspective," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 28-39.
    5. Manuela D’Eusanio & Monica Serreli & Luigia Petti, 2019. "Social Life-Cycle Assessment of a Piece of Jewellery. Emphasis on the Local Community," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Roope Husgafvel, 2021. "Exploring Social Sustainability Handprint—Part 1: Handprint and Life Cycle Thinking and Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-36, October.
    7. Thavalingam, Vyshnavi & Karunasena, Gayani, 2016. "Mobile phone waste management in developing countries: A case of Sri Lanka," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 34-43.
    8. Sugimura, Yoshihisa & Murakami, Shinsuke, 2016. "Problems in Japan’s governance system related to end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment trade," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 93-106.
    9. Mizanur Rahman, S.M. & Mayer, Audrey L., 2015. "How social ties influence metal resource flows in the Bangladesh ship recycling industry," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 254-264.
    10. Catherine Benoit Norris & Gregory A. Norris & Lina Azuero & John Pflueger, 2019. "Creating Social Handprints: Method and Case Study in the Electronic Computer Manufacturing Industry," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-15, November.
    11. Imran, Muhammad & Haydar, Sajjad & Kim, Junbeum & Awan, Muhammad Rizwan & Bhatti, Amanat Ali, 2017. "E-waste flows, resource recovery and improvement of legal framework in Pakistan," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 131-138.
    12. Habib Al Razi, Khandakar Md, 2016. "Resourceful recycling process of waste desktop computers: A review study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 30-47.
    13. Davis, John-Michael & Garb, Yaakov, 2015. "A model for partnering with the informal e-waste industry: Rationale, principles and a case study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 73-83.
    14. Muhammad Nawaz & Muhammad Tariq Yousafzai & Salim Khan & Wisal Ahmad & Muhammad Salman & Heesup Han & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, 2021. "Assessing the Formal and Informal Waste Recycling Business Processes through a Stakeholders Lens in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-16, October.
    15. 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.
    16. Louisa Pollok & Sebastian Spierling & Hans-Josef Endres & Ulrike Grote, 2021. "Social Life Cycle Assessments: A Review on Past Development, Advances and Methodological Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-29, September.
    17. Yıldız-Geyhan, Eren & Altun-Çiftçioğlu, Gökçen Alev & Kadırgan, Mehmet Arif Neşet, 2017. "Social life cycle assessment of different packaging waste collection system," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-12.
    18. Saidia Ali & Farid Shirazi, 2022. "A Transformer-Based Machine Learning Approach for Sustainable E-Waste Management: A Comparative Policy Analysis between the Swiss and Canadian Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-22, October.
    19. Longsheng, Cheng & Ali Shah, Syed Ahsan & Solangi, Yasir Ahmed & Ahmad, Munir & Ali, Sharafat, 2022. "An integrated SWOT-multi-criteria analysis of implementing sustainable waste-to-energy in Pakistan," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1438-1453.
    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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Caiado, Nathália & Guarnieri, Patricia & Xavier, Lúcia Helena & de Lorena Diniz Chaves, Gisele, 2017. "A characterization of the Brazilian market of reverse logistic credits (RLC) and an analogy with the existing carbon credit market," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 47-59.
    2. 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.
    3. Shraddha Mishra & Surya Prakash Singh, 2022. "Designing dynamic reverse logistics network for post-sale service," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 310(1), pages 89-118, March.
    4. Abhishek Nandan & Albin C. Suresh & Parth Saole & S. Amulya Jeevanasai & Ramprasad Chandrasekaran & Lucas Meili & Nur Izyan Wan Azelee & Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian, 2023. "An Integrated Approach for Electronic Waste Management—Overview of Sources of Generation, Toxicological Effects, Assessment, Governance, and Mitigation Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Saurabh P. Tembhare & Bharat A. Bhanvase & Divya P. Barai & Sanjay J. Dhoble, 2022. "E-waste recycling practices: a review on environmental concerns, remediation and technological developments with a focus on printed circuit boards," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 8965-9047, July.
    6. Arpita Das & Basab Chakraborty & Partha Pratim Das, 2016. "Qualitative and Semi-quantitative Estimation of Major Elements in Desktop Computer Motherboards," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 41(1), pages 37-44, February.
    7. Di Wu & Juhong Chen & Ruyu Yan & Ruijun Zhang, 2019. "Pricing Strategies in Dual-Channel Reverse Supply Chains Considering Fairness Concern," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-17, May.
    8. Ylä-Mella, Jenni & Poikela, Kari & Lehtinen, Ulla & Keiski, Riitta L. & Pongrácz, Eva, 2014. "Implementation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive in Finland: Evaluation of the collection network and challenges of the effective WEEE management," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 38-46.
    9. 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.
    10. Dou, Yijie & Sarkis, Joseph, 2013. "A multiple stakeholder perspective on barriers to implementing China RoHS regulations," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 92-104.
    11. Mohd Faiz Ibrahim & Rozita Hod & Haidar Rizal Toha & Azmawati Mohammed Nawi & Idayu Badilla Idris & Hanizah Mohd Yusoff & Mazrura Sahani, 2021. "The Impacts of Illegal Toxic Waste Dumping on Children’s Health: A Review and Case Study from Pasir Gudang, Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, February.
    12. Gemechu Abdissa & Abebe Ayalew & Anna Dunay & Csaba Bálint Illés, 2022. "Role of Reverse Logistics Activities in the Recycling of Used Plastic Bottled Water Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    13. Kurt Daum & Justin Stoler & Richard J. Grant, 2017. "Toward a More Sustainable Trajectory for E-Waste Policy: A Review of a Decade of E-Waste Research in Accra, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-18, January.
    14. Cao, Jian & Wu, Sisi & Kumar, Sanjay, 2023. "Recovering and remanufacturing to fulfill EPR regulation in the presence of secondary market," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    15. Qinrun Zhang, 2021. "China's policy and finding ways to prevent collapse in WEEE processing in the context of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 693-710, December.
    16. Zhu, Qinghua & Sarkis, Joseph & Lai, Kee-hung, 2011. "An institutional theoretic investigation on the links between internationalization of Chinese manufacturers and their environmental supply chain management," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(6), pages 623-630.
    17. Dwivedy, Maheshwar & Suchde, Pratik & Mittal, R.K., 2015. "Modeling and assessment of e-waste take-back strategies in India," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 11-18.
    18. Mehdi Keshavarz-Ghorabaee & Maghsoud Amiri & Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas & Zenonas Turskis & Jurgita Antucheviciene, 2022. "A Fuzzy Simultaneous Evaluation of Criteria and Alternatives (F-SECA) for Sustainable E-Waste Scenario Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-26, August.
    19. Navarro Ferronato & Vincenzo Torretta, 2019. "Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-28, March.
    20. Lynda Andeobu & Santoso Wibowo & Srimannarayana Grandhi, 2023. "Environmental and Health Consequences of E-Waste Dumping and Recycling Carried out by Selected Countries in Asia and Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-28, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:95:y:2015:i:c:p:46-57. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Kai Meng (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/resources-conservation-and-recycling .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.