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Towards an Assessment Methodology to Support Decision Making for Sustainable Electronic Waste Management Systems: Automatic Sorting Technology

Author

Listed:
  • Ilaria Barletta

    (Department of Product and Production Development, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg SE-41296, Sweden)

  • Jon Larborn

    (Department of Product and Production Development, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg SE-41296, Sweden)

  • Mahesh Mani

    (Dakota Consulting Inc., Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA)

  • Björn Johannson

    (Department of Product and Production Development, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg SE-41296, Sweden)

Abstract

There is a lack of structured methodologies to support stakeholders in accessing the sustainability aspects for e-waste management. Moreover, the increasing volume of electronic waste (e-waste) and the availability of automated e-waste treatment solutions demand frequent reconfigurations of facilities for efficient e-waste management. To fill this gap and guide such ongoing developments, this paper proposes a novel methodological framework to enable the assessing, visualizing and comparing of sustainability impacts (economic, environmental and social) resulting from changes applied to a facility for e-waste treatment. The methodology encompasses several methods, such as discrete event simulation, life cycle assessment and stakeholder mapping. A newly-developed demonstrator for sorting e-waste is presented to illustrate the application of the framework. Not only did the methodology generate useful information for decision making, but it has also helped identify requirements for further assessing the broader impacts on the social landscape in which e-waste management systems operate. These results differ from those of previous studies, which have lacked a holistic approach to addressing sustainability. Such an approach is important to truly measure the efficacy of sustainable e-waste management. Potential future applications of the framework are envisioned in production systems handling other waste streams, besides electronics.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilaria Barletta & Jon Larborn & Mahesh Mani & Björn Johannson, 2016. "Towards an Assessment Methodology to Support Decision Making for Sustainable Electronic Waste Management Systems: Automatic Sorting Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:1:p:84-:d:62311
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Camelia Delcea & Liliana Crăciun & Corina Ioanăș & Gabriella Ferruzzi & Liviu-Adrian Cotfas, 2020. "Determinants of Individuals’ E-Waste Recycling Decision: A Case Study from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-28, April.
    5. Hilal Shams & Altaf Hossain Molla & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman & Hawa Hishamuddin & Zambri Harun & Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar, 2023. "Exploring Industry-Specific Research Themes on E-Waste: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    6. Parolin, Giácomo & McAloone, Tim C. & Pigosso, Daniela C.A., 2024. "How can technology assessment tools support sustainable innovation? A systematic literature review and synthesis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    7. 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.
    8. Antonia Rahn & Kai Wicke & Gerko Wende, 2022. "Using Discrete-Event Simulation for a Holistic Aircraft Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-31, August.
    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.
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