Shinsuke Murakami

A preliminary categorization of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment as secondary metal resources

End-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has recently received attention as a secondary source of metals. This study examined characteristics of end-of-life EEE as secondary metal resources to consider efficient collection and metal recovery systems according to the specific metals and types of EEE. We constructed an analogy between natural resource development and metal recovery from end-of-life EEE and found that metal content and total annual amount of metal contained in each type of end-of-life EEE should be considered in secondary resource development, as well as the collectability of the end-of-life products. We then categorized 21 EEE types into five groups and discussed their potential as secondary metal resources. Refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and CRT TVs were evaluated as the most important sources of common metals, and personal computers, mobile phones, and video games were evaluated as the most important sources of precious metals. Several types of small digital equipment were also identified as important sources of precious metals; however, mid-size information and communication technology (ICT) equipment (e.g., printers and fax machines) and audio/video equipment were shown to be more important as a source of a variety of less common metals. The physical collectability of each type of EEE was roughly characterized by unit size and number of end-of-life products generated annually. Current collection systems in Japan were examined and potentially appropriate collection methods were suggested for equipment types that currently have no specific collection systems in Japan, particularly for video games, notebook computers, and mid-size ICT and audio/video equipment.

Lifespan of Commodities, Part I: The Creation of a Database and its Review

We compiled more than 1,300 data sets from various sources and identified some differences among the types of goods and among regions. With the reviewed data noted in this article, we established a database, named LiVES (Lifespan Database for Vehicles, Equipment, and Structures), and will disclose it on the Internet to share the information.In the present article, the available information from various reports on product lifespan was reviewed. Although we found a large number of data for many durables, the definition of lifespan in published articles varied, which limited our ability to compare reported values. We therefore first defined lifespan and then compared the international and historical data.Lifespan is an essential parameter for the accounting and analysis of material stocks and flows, one of the main research topics in industrial ecology. Lifespan is also important as a parameter that portrays the current and historical situation of industrial metabolism, which is an area of interest to industrial ecologists. In the present article, the available information from various reports on product lifespan was reviewed. Although we found a large number of data for many durables, the definition of lifespan in published articles varied, which limited our ability to compare reported values. We therefore first defined lifespan and then compared the international and historical data. We compiled more than 1,300 data sets from various sources and identified some differences among the types of goods and among regions. With the reviewed data noted in this article, we established a database, named LiVES (Lifespan Database for Vehicles, Equipment, and Structures), and will disclose it on the Internet to share the information.

Lifespan of Commodities, Part II: Methodologies for Estimating Lifespan Distribution of Commodities

Lifespan of commodities is essential information for material flow analysis and material stock accounting. Lifespan data is available in the literature; however, it varies in definition and in methodology employed. This article reviews and categorizes different types of lifespan distribution and distribution estimation methodologies, and investigates the relationship and differences between lifespan definitions and estimation methodologies. Lifespan distribution of commodities can be classified into five types from two perspectives: base year for which the distribution is drawn, and vertical axis of the distribution. The methodologies for estimating lifespan distribution were classified into four types and the details of each methodology and the relationship to the definition of lifespan were also clarified. This article also examines differences in actual lifespan data — between the types of distribution, the definitions, and the employed methodologies — by comparing reported data in literature. Any of the four methodologies are theoretically applicable and provide the same value of a lifespan; however unless accurate data such as census statistics are available, lifespan data can vary, and therefore we must be very cautious about the representativeness of sample data.

Framework for Resilience in Material Supply Chains, With a Case Study from the 2010 Rare Earth Crisis

In 2010, Chinese export restrictions caused the price of the rare earth element neodymium to increase by a factor of 10, only to return to almost normal levels in the following months. This despite the fact that the restrictions were not lifted. The significant price peak shows that this material supply chain was only weakly resistant to a major supply disruption. However, the fact that prices rapidly returned to lower levels implies a certain resilience. With the help of a novel approach, based on resilience theory combined with a material flow analysis (MFA) based representation of the neodymium magnet (NdFeB) supply chain, we show that supply chain resilience is composed of various mechanisms, including (a) resistance, (b) rapidity, and (c) flexibility, that originate from different parts of the supply chain. We make recommendations to improve the capacity of the NdFeB system to deal with future disruptions and discuss potential generalities for the resilience of other material supply chains.

Novel Indicators for the Quantification of Resilience in Critical Material Supply Chains, with a 2010 Rare Earth Crisis Case Study

We introduce several new resilience metrics for quantifying the resilience of critical material supply chains to disruptions and validate these metrics using the 2010 rare earth element (REE) crisis as a case study. Our method is a novel application of Event Sequence Analysis, supplemented with interviews of actors across the entire supply chain. We discuss resilience mechanisms in quantitative terms–time lags, response speeds, and maximum magnitudes–and in light of cultural differences between Japanese and European corporate practice. This quantification is crucial if resilience is ever to be taken into account in criticality assessments and a step toward determining supply and demand elasticities in the REE supply chain. We find that the REE system showed resilience mainly through substitution and increased non-Chinese primary production, with a distinct role for stockpiling. Overall, annual substitution rates reached 10% of total demand. Non-Chinese primary production ramped up at a speed of 4% of total market volume per year. The compound effect of these mechanisms was that recovery from the 2010 disruption took two years. The supply disruption did not nudge a system toward an appreciable degree of recycling. This finding has important implications for the circular economy concept, indicating that quite a long period of sustained material constraints will be necessary for a production-consumption system to naturally evolve toward a circular configuration.

A Model for Prediction of Neutralizer Usage and Sludge Generation in the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage from Abandoned Mines: Case Studies in Japan

Acid mine drainage (AMD) from about 80 abandoned or closed mines in Japan are actively treated by neutralization; the government spends billions of yen every year to protect the environment from these discharges, and treatment will have to continue for many years. However, it is difficult to predict the future AMD chemistry, neutralizer requirements, and volume of sludge to establish future costs, chemical inputs, and wastes. The water monitoring data or source rock samples for conventional predictive methods are not available. In this study, a predictive model for AMD composition and the neutralization process was constructed based on geochemical modeling, assuming first order kinetics for the dissolution of several minerals. The solution composition, neutralizer requirements, and sludge generation were estimated for case studies at two abandoned mines in Japan: a sulfur mine, and a copper and iron mine. The model effectively predicted AMD composition after termination of mining and was also useful for estimating future neutralizer requirements and sludge volumes. This research will increase understanding of the lifecycle environmental costs in the mining industry.ZusammenfassungSaure Grubenwässer aus ungefähr 80 aufgelassenen oder geschlossenen Bergwerken in Japan werden derzeit aktiv durch Neutralisation aufbereitet. Die Regierung wendet jährlich Milliarden Yen auf, um die Umwelt vor diesen Abwässern zu schützen und wird dies noch für Jahre fortsetzen müssen. Es ist jedoch schwierig, den künftigen Chemismus der sauren Grubenwässer, benötigte Mengen an Neutralisationsmitteln und das Schlammvolumen vorauszuberechnen, um die anfallenden Kosten, den Einsatz von Chemikalien und das Abfallvolumen zu ermitteln. Daten aus der Wasserüberwachung oder Gesteinsproben für herkömmliche Vorhersageverfahren sind nicht verfügbar. In dieser Untersuchung wurde ein Vorhersagemodell für die Zusammensetzung von saurem Grubenwasser erstellt, das auf geochemischer Modellierung beruht und von einer linearen Reaktionskinetik bei der Lösung verschiedener Mineralien ausgeht. Die Lösungszusammensetzung, der Bedarf an Neutralisationsmitteln und die Schlammbildung wurden für Fallstudien an zwei aufgelassenen Bergwerken in Japan berechnet: ein Schwefelbergwerk und ein Bergwerk auf Kupfer und Eisen. Die Zusammensetzung der sauren Grubenwässer wurde mit dem Modell erfolgreich vorausberechnet. Auch für die Abschätzung künftiger Bedarfsmengen an Neutralisationsmitteln und Schlammvolumen konnte es genutzt werden. Diese Untersuchung wird das Verständnis für die umweltrelevanten Gesamtkosten im Bergbau erhöhen.ResumenDrenajes ácidos de mina (AMD) de aproximadamente 80 minas cerradas o abandonadas en Japón son tratadas activamente por neutralización; el gobierno invierte billones de yenes cada año para proteger el ambiente de estas descargas y el tratamiento continuará por muchos años. Sin embargo, es difícil predecir el futuro en la química del AMD, los requerimientos de neutralización y los volúmenes de lodo a fin de establecer los costos, los insumos químicos y los residuos. El monitoreo de datos del agua de las muestras de rocas por métodos predictivos convencionales no está disponible. En este estudio, se utilizó un modelo predictivo para la composición de AMD y para el proceso de neutralización; el mismo está basado en modelado geoquímico y asumiendo cinéticas de primer orden para la disolución de varios minerales. La composición de la solución, requerimientos de neutralización y generación de lodos fueron estimados para los casos de dos minas abandonas en Japón: una mina de azufre y una mina de hierro y cobre. El modelo predijo efectivamente la composición del AMD después de concluidas las operaciones de minería y fue también útil para estimar los requerimientos para la neutralización y los volúmenes de lodo que se generarán en el futuro. Esta investigación incrementaría la comprensión de los costos ambientales en todo el ciclo de la industria minera.抽象目前,日本80个已废弃或关闭矿井的酸性矿井废水都采用酸性中和处理方法。日本政府每年要花费数十亿日元来保护环境免受酸性矿井废水排放造成的影响。这种环境保护压力还将持续多年。然而,酸性矿井废水未来的水化学特征、中和剂需求变化和污泥量生成趋势都很难预测,难以估价未来的酸性废水处理费用、中和药剂投入量和和废物生成量。在没有传统预测方法所需的水质监测数据和原岩样本测试成果的条件下,本文基于地球化学模型且假设几种矿物都服从一级溶解动力学反应,建立了酸性矿井废水化学成分与中和过程预测模型。文章预测了两个已废弃日本矿井(一个硫磺矿和一个铜-铁矿)酸性矿井废水的溶液成分、中和处理药剂需求量和污泥生成量。该模型既能有效地预测闭坑停采后酸性矿井废水的组成又能预测中和剂需求量和污泥生成量。研究将有助于人们加深采矿业环境代价的理解。

Current status of municipal solid waste management system in Chittagong, Bangladesh

This paper presents an overview of MSW management in Chittagong, the second largest city of Bangladesh. The total MSW generation in Chittagong increased steadily from 538 tons/day in 1999 to 984 tons/day in 2005 and 1890 tons/ day in 2009. MSW collection coverage of Chittagong City Corporation increased from 45% in 1999 to 64% in 2008 and almost 70% in 2009. Approximately 72% (952 tons) of the total daily collected MSW in 2009 were disposed of as unsanitary landfilling and 27.62% (365 tons) as open dumping; while, only 0.16% (2,116 kg) were managed through systematic recovery and recycling.

A database and characterization of existing lifespan information of electrical and electronic equipment

LIFESPAN of product is essential information for material flow and stock accounting (MFA/MSA) as well as discussing possible contribution of product lifespan extension to waste prevention and materials/energy savings. There are a number of literatures on actual lifespan distribution of products in our society; however, existing information is not well organized. The authors created a database named LiVES (Lifespan database for Vehicles, Equipment, and Structures) by reviewing existing lifespan data of various types of product including electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) [1]. In this study, the overview and characteristics of lifespan data of EEE included in the database was reported.

EcoBalance 2014: creating benefit through life cycle thinking

We are pleased to inform you that The Institute of Life Cycle Assessment, Japan (ILCAJ) will organize EcoBalance 2014 (the 11th International Conference on EcoBalance) in Tsukuba, Japan from 27 to 30 October 2014. The conference theme of EcoBalance 2014 is “Creating Benefit through Life Cycle Thinking.”Wewould like to invite a wide range of audience and contributors to share their quests for benefits from life cycle thinking. The participation of and contributions from the industrial sector are particularly encouraged. Realizing that the benefits sought are diverse, contributions from other sectors are also welcome to identify the benefits beyond mere financial considerations in the increasingly globalized supply chain under quickly changing circumstances. The following special sessions will be organized: