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Recycling of Electronic Waste for Circular Economy Goals: Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Abhishek Singh

    (Delhi Technological University)

  • Anuradha Yadav

    (IILM University)

  • Thanh Tiep Le

    (Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance)

  • Shaina Singh

    (ICICI Bank)

Abstract

Today, use of electronic devices has increased in exponential manner. The rapid technological advancements have led to the usage of updated products and an increase in demand for electronics, resulting in a surge of electronic waste production. Major objectives of this study are (a) reviewing previous research on electronic waste production and management practices, (b) identifying the recycling challenges and (c) suggesting potential future research directions. The waste stream is the growing globally. With the lowest recycling rates, its mismanagement can negatively impact the environment and human health. On the other hand, proper management of electronic waste can yield various benefits such as the extraction of valuable metals, a market for secondhand electronics equipment and the supply of raw materials to enhance environmental competitiveness of other industries. Despite these advantages, there are numerous challenges in recycling electronic waste, leading to low recycling rates in both developed and developing nations. The study is based on a review of papers published between 2012 and 2022 as found in the Scopus database. Based on this review, all critical issues on recycling of electronic waste are explored and future research directions are also proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Abhishek Singh & Anuradha Yadav & Thanh Tiep Le & Shaina Singh, 2023. "Recycling of Electronic Waste for Circular Economy Goals: Systematic Literature Review," International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 145-161, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijogbc:v:18:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s42943-023-00081-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s42943-023-00081-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Singh, Rajesh Kumar & Kumar, Anil & Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo & de Sá, Marcelo M., 2020. "Managing operations for circular economy in the mining sector: An analysis of barriers intensity," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    2. Vicktoria Blake & Trisia Farrelly & Jonathon Hannon, 2019. "Is Voluntary Product Stewardship for E-Waste Working in New Zealand? A Whangarei Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-26, May.
    3. Sidra Ramzan & Chenguang Liu & Yan Xu & Hina Munir & Bhumika Gupta, 2021. "The adoption of online e-waste collection platform to improve environmental sustainability: an empirical study of Chinese millennials," Post-Print hal-03552267, HAL.
    4. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2010. "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 84(2), pages 523-538, August.
    5. Gulzhazira Ilyassova & Aigul Nukusheva & Leila Arenova & Guldana Karzhassova & Marzhangul Akimzhanova, 2021. "Correction to: Prospects of legal regulation in the field of electronic waste management in the context of a circular economy," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 389-389, September.
    6. Yan Xu & Chung-Hsing Yeh & ChenGuang Liu & Sidra Ramzan & Ling Zhang, 2021. "Evaluating and managing interactive barriers for sustainable e-waste management in China," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 72(9), pages 2018-2031, September.
    7. de Oliveira Neto, Geraldo Cardoso & de Jesus Cardoso Correia, Auro & Schroeder, Adriano Michelotti, 2017. "Economic and environmental assessment of recycling and reuse of electronic waste: Multiple case studies in Brazil and Switzerland," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 42-55.
    8. Venkatesha Murthy & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2022. "A Review on Global E-Waste Management: Urban Mining towards a Sustainable Future and Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-18, January.
    9. repec:eme:mrn000:01409170910980344 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Bag, Surajit & Dhamija, Pavitra & Bryde, David J. & Singh, Rajesh Kumar, 2022. "Effect of eco-innovation on green supply chain management, circular economy capability, and performance of small and medium enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 60-72.
    11. Paul Martin Mählitz & Nathalie Korf & Georgios Chryssos & Vera Susanne Rotter, 2022. "Contributions of extended batch tests for assessing technical recyclability: A case study of low‐value battery flows," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 1061-1077, June.
    12. Van Eygen, Emile & De Meester, Steven & Tran, Ha Phuong & Dewulf, Jo, 2016. "Resource savings by urban mining: The case of desktop and laptop computers in Belgium," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 53-64.
    13. Raffaele Isernia & Renato Passaro & Ivana Quinto & Antonio Thomas, 2019. "The Reverse Supply Chain of the E-Waste Management Processes in a Circular Economy Framework: Evidence from Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, April.
    14. Gulzhazira Ilyassova & Aigul Nukusheva & Leila Arenova & Guldana Karzhassova & Marzhangul Akimzhanova, 2021. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Prospects of legal regulation in the field of electronic waste management in the context of a circular economy," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 367-388, September.
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    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • Q2 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q4 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics

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