Jaco Huisman

Enhancing e-waste estimates: Improving data quality by multivariate Input–Output Analysis

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (or e-waste) is one of the fastest growing waste streams, which encompasses a wide and increasing spectrum of products. Accurate estimation of e-waste generation is difficult, mainly due to lack of high quality data referred to market and socio-economic dynamics. This paper addresses how to enhance e-waste estimates by providing techniques to increase data quality. An advanced, flexible and multivariate Input-Output Analysis (IOA) method is proposed. It links all three pillars in IOA (product sales, stock and lifespan profiles) to construct mathematical relationships between various data points. By applying this method, the data consolidation steps can generate more accurate time-series datasets from available data pool. This can consequently increase the reliability of e-waste estimates compared to the approach without data processing. A case study in the Netherlands is used to apply the advanced IOA model. As a result, for the first time ever, complete datasets of all three variables for estimating all types of e-waste have been obtained. The result of this study also demonstrates significant disparity between various estimation models, arising from the use of data under different conditions. It shows the importance of applying multivariate approach and multiple sources to improve data quality for modelling, specifically using appropriate time-varying lifespan parameters. Following the case study, a roadmap with a procedural guideline is provided to enhance e-waste estimation studies.

Eco-efficiency considerations on the end-of-life of consumer electronic products

In order to improve the eco-efficiency at the end-of-life phase of consumer electronic products, comprehensive assessments should be made. The Quotes for environmentally WEighted RecyclabiliTY and Eco-Efficiency method (QWERTY/EE) developed at the Delft University of Technology is applied to aim at minimal end-of-life treatment costs against maximal environmental recovery. In this paper, the outcomes of this eco-efficiency concept are presented based on a range of improvement options like changing shredding and separation settings, plastic recycling, glass recycling, or separate sorting of certain products. The analysis of more than 75 different consumer electronic products clearly shows groups in state-of-the-art recycling performance in both environmental and economic terms and a substantial distinction between the various product categories. From there, the evaluation takes place of technical improvements in relation to current best-practice recycling. Even more, with the QWERTY/EE concept it is made possible to select and rank improvement options of current and future end-of-life processing and to determine which options bring substantial environmental gain in relation to financial investments made. For glass dominated products, an increase in glass recycling results in significant environmental improvements. The same counts for separate sorting and treatment of precious metal dominated products with a relatively high precious metal content like cellular phones. However, economies of scale are a major assumption that has to be fulfilled in this case. Other conclusions and outcomes are that plastic recycling seems only eco-efficient for large housings of appliances already undergoing disassembly due to the presence of a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD). For small and medium-sized housings, the extra costs of plastic recycling are high in relation to the environmental improvement realized. In most cases, dedicated shredding and separation of metal dominated products does not lead to substantial environmental or economic improvements. In general, it is shown that the various options to increase the eco-efficiency of end-of-life systems lead to very mixed environmental and economic results. As a consequence, end-of-life policy strategies should be evaluated, and in some cases revised, to support and enhance the most eco-efficient improvement options. Regarding the sensitivity of the results, it is shown that although the different environmental assessment models prioritize individual materials in a different order, the results for the improvement options on a system level are pointing in the same direction, except for plastic recycling scenarios.

One WEEE, many species: lessons from the European experience

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) pervades modern lifestyles, but its quick obsolescence is resulting in huge quantities of EEE to be disposed of. This fast-growing waste stream has been recognized for its hazard potential. The European Union’s (EU) Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive was essentially in response to the toxicity of e-waste — to ensure that it was collected and treated in an environmentally sound manner. Since then, the WEEE Directive has expanded its aims to include recovery of valuable resources as a means to reduce raw material extraction. With these objectives in mind, the Directive sets a common minimum legislative framework for all EU member states. However, the transposition of the Directive into national legislations has meant many differences in actual implementation models. There are 27 national transpositions of the Directive with different definitions, provisions and agreements. Each legislation reflects national situations, whether they are geographical considerations, legislative history, the influence of lobby groups and other national priorities. Although this diversity in legislations has meant massive problems in compliance and enforcement, it provides an opportunity to get an insight into the possible operational models of e-waste legislation. Building on the study by the United Nations University commissioned by the European Commission as part of its 2008 Review of the WEEE Directive, the paper identifies some key features of the Directive as well as legislative and operational differences in transposition and implementation in the various members states. The paper discusses the successes and challenges of the Directive and concludes with lessons learnt from the European experience.

Take back and treatment of discarded electronics: a scientific update

This paper indicates that the performance of tack-back and treatment of electronic waste (e-waste) system can be improved substantially. This can be reached by better taking into account in a better way the big variety in material composition and potential toxicity of electrical and electronic products - from a technical, organizational and regulatory perspective. Realizing that there is no ‘one size fit for all’ and combining smart tailor made solutions with economic of sale will result in the best environmental gain/cost ratio. Several examples show how science and engineering have supported or will support this approach.

Where did WEEE go wrong in Europe? Practical and academic lessons for the US

This paper links lessons drawn from the WEEE directive implementation process going on in Europe with academic lessons obtained from the TU Delft eco-efficiency studies on electronics recycling. The combination of eco-efficiency and organizational analysis is proven to be very useful for enhancing stakeholder interactions on improving end-of-life chains. From this, a roadmap is proposed for US developments, in order to prevent similar chaos as with the current EU WEEE introduction process. The key issues for setting up take-back systems for discarded consumer electronics are addressed: How to organize take-back and recycling in an eco-efficient way plus how to align all stakeholder interests and positions in a practical way at the same time for the short, medium and long term?

Where are WEEE now? Lessons from WEEE: Will EPR work for the US?

Currently, the transposition and implementation of the WEEE Directive by EU Member States is becoming a complete chaos for all parties involved. A radical change is needed to avoid that the original intent of the Directive is being lost. Experts of TU Delft are researching how to align the organization of setting up take-back systems for discarded electronics with outcomes of environmental and economic assessments as well as from organizational analysis. The results could point a way out from the current situation and could be of help for discussions in the US with regard to development of take-back and recycling systems in the various states.

Combining economical and environmental considerations in cellular phone design

At Delft University of Technology a research project has been initiated to study a wide range of issues in the life cycle of cellular phones. The main focus in the first stages of this study has been on the end-of-life stage of cellular phones. Particularly the relation between several environmental and economical parameters has been investigated. Special attention has been paid to phone parts having a significant impact on the environmental performance as well as on the financial results in the end-of-life stage, such as printed wiring boards (PWBs). It is shown how scenario analyses can be used to investigate the environmental and financial consequences of technical developments for example related to PWBs.

Eco-efficiency evaluation of WEEE take-back systems

Electrical and electronic waste is a growing problem as volumes are increasing fast. Rapid product innovation and replacement, especially in information and communication technologies (ICT), combined with the migration from analog to digital technologies and to flat-screen televisions and monitors has resulted in some electronic products quickly reaching the end of their life. The EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) aims to minimise WEEE by putting organizational and financial responsibility on producers and distributors for collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of WEEE. Therefore all stakeholders need to be well-informed about their WEEE responsibilities and options. While focussing on the EU, this book draws lessons for policy and practice from all over the world. Part one introduces the reader to legislation and initiatives to manage WEEE. Part two discusses technologies for the refurbishment, treatment and recycling of waste electronics. Part three focuses on electronic products that present particular challenges for recyclers. Part four explores sustainable design of electronics and supply chains. Part five discusses national and regional WEEE management schemes and part six looks at corporate WEEE management strategies. With an authoritative collection of chapters from an international team of authors, Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) handbook is designed to be used as a reference by policy-makers, producers and treatment operators in both the developed and developing world.

Management of WEEE & Cost Models across the EU Could the EPR principle lead US to a better Environmental Policy?

The paper points out the current status of the implementation of the WEEE directive across the EU. It analyzes those aspects that are currently leading to differences and asymmetry across different stakeholders. The main differences in National approaches are addressed to provide a general overview across the EU. The main aspects that could lead to a better implementation of the WEEE directive are discussed and insights on cost models and how the basic principles of the WEEE directive were enforced are provided. It is based on the key question for setting up take-back systems for discarded electronic equipments: how to organize take-back and recycling in order to align all stakeholder interests and positions in a practical way?

Eco-efficient implementation of electronic waste policies in practice

A comprehensive and quantitative eco-efficiency concept for end-of-life consumer electronics is developed at the TU Delft. It addresses the key question in setting up take-back systems for discarded consumer electronics: how much environmental improvement can be realized per amount of money invested? This paper highlights the latest results of applying the concept in practice on the implementation of electronic waste policies like in the European WEEE and RoHS directives. The outcomes show in general how short, medium and long term developments in applying electronic waste policies should look like.