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End of Life Management Sustainability of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Generated in Romania

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  • Anisoara Enache Talpalaru

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical, Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73 Prof. D. Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania)

  • Daniela Gavrilescu

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical, Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73 Prof. D. Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania)

  • Carmen Teodosiu

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical, Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73 Prof. D. Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania)

Abstract

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a continuously growing concern, with issues arising from intensive resource consumption and the environmental and human impacts being caused by inadequate practices. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impacts of end-of-life management options generated by Information Technology (IT) and telecommunication equipment in Romania during the period of 2018–2021 from a sustainability point of view, including environmental aspects, such as greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and energy consumption, economic aspects, considering workforce earnings and revenues collected for the public budget, and social impacts through job creation. To achieve the main objective, a two-step methodology is used, with one step to determine the relevant quantities of WEEE generated by the subcategories of IT and telecommunication equipment, using the European Union’s WEEE Calculation Tool based on two approaches, WEEE reported in Eurostat (Scenario 1) and apparent consumption (Scenario 2), and a second step to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the WEEE management system by applying Waste Reduction Model (US EPA WARM). Regarding the six WEEE categories evaluated, in both scenarios, Flat-Panel Displays is the category with the lowest environmental impact and highest economic and social benefits, while, on the opposite side, the Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) category displays the highest environmental impact and lowest economic and social benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Anisoara Enache Talpalaru & Daniela Gavrilescu & Carmen Teodosiu, 2025. "End of Life Management Sustainability of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Generated in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-26, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:4105-:d:1648028
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Idiano D’Adamo & Paolo Rosa & Sergio Terzi, 2016. "Challenges in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management: A Profitability Assessment in Three European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Won Hee Choi & Kook Pyo Pae & Nam Seok Kim & Hong Yoon Kang & Yong Woo Hwang, 2023. "Feasibility Study of Closed-Loop Recycling for Plastic Generated from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in South Korea," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Cucchiella, Federica & D’Adamo, Idiano & Lenny Koh, S.C. & Rosa, Paolo, 2015. "Recycling of WEEEs: An economic assessment of present and future e-waste streams," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 263-272.
    4. Mihaela PÃCE?ILÃ & Carmen Nadia CIOCOIU & Sofia Elena COLESCA & ?tefan Gabriel BURCEA, 2016. "Current Trends In Weee Management In Romania," Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 11(4), pages 46-60, November.
    5. Dhiya Durani Sofian Azizi & Marlia M. Hanafiah & Kok Sin Woon, 2023. "Material Flow Analysis in WEEE Management for Circular Economy: A Content Review on Applications, Limitations, and Future Outlook," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, February.
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