Circular Economy in the Electronic Products Sector: Material Flow Analysis and Economic Impact of Cellphone E-Waste in Mexico

Sustainability

Daniela Cordova-Pizarro¹  David Romero¹  CiroA. Rodriguez¹  Ismael Aguilar-Barajas² 

[1] School of Engineering and Science, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849 Monterrey, Mexico;School of Social Sciences and Government, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849 Monterrey, Mexico;

关键词: circular economy;    electronic products;    material flow analysis;    e-waste;    cellphones;    Mexico;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su11051361

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The circular economy (CE) model has become highly relevant in recent years, with the electronics industry being one of the sectors that has considered its application. Despite only a limited amount of literature being available on waste electric and electronic equipment (e-waste) in Mexico, the Mexican Government, academic institutions, and electronics industry have coordinated efforts to implement the CE in the country. This study evaluates the current technical and economic situation of cellphone e-waste generated in Mexico by surveying and analyzing the main actors that influence the management of this waste and using a material flow analysis. Extensive fieldwork was conducted in order to quantify the extent of cellphone e-waste processing in both formal and informal channels. The study of printed circuit boards in cellphones shows that the total value of cellphone e-waste materials ranges between $11.277 and $12.444 million USD per year in Mexico. However, a value of only $0.677 million USD is recycled through formal channels. After characterizing the remanufacturing and recycling CE loops, we conclude that the potential for improvement and advancing towards a CE model is significant

【 授权许可】

Unknown