Dynamics of E-Waste Growth and its Recycling

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 System Dynamics Postdoc Researcher , Faculty of Management and Economics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

2 BSc Student , Industrial Engineering, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

3 BSc Student, Industrial Engineering Faculty, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

4 BSc Student , Industrial Engineering Faculty, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

Abstract

In the age of digital economy, the use of electronic devices and consequently e-waste has increased so that e-waste is considered as the fastest growing waste in the world. Also, these wastes, like other wastes, have a detrimental effect on the environment. Therefore, control of e-waste and planning for its recycling is a management problem at the national, global and environmental levels. In this research, using the system dynamics approach and using document model building (DMB) and reviewing the literature, the dynamics model is designed to identify the structure governing the generation of e-waste and its recycling and predict the amount of e-waste and the capacity required for its recycling. The results of the model showed that although the amount of waste and consequently its recycling has increased, this growth is limited and is S-shaped. However, recycling industries have increased revenues.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Alblooshi, B. G. K. M., Ahmad, S. Z., Hussain, M., & Singh, S. K. (2022). Sustainable management of electronic waste: Empirical evidences from a stakeholders' perspective. Business Strategy and the Environment, 1– 19. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2987
Ali Mohammadi Asl, E., Bafande Zende, A., & Taghizadeh, H. (2020). Developing the strategies of the Islamic Azad University of Tabriz using the system dynamics approach. Industrial Management Studies, 15 (58), 247-278, http://dx.doi.org/10.22054/jims.2019.45699.2369. [In Persian].
Araujo, M. G., Magirini, A., Mahler, C. F., & Bilitewski, B. (2011). A model for estimation of potential generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Brazil. Waste management, 42, 123-131, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2011.09.020.
Baldé, C. P., Forti, V., Gray, V., Kuehr, R., & Stegmann, P. (2017). The global e-waste monitor 2017: Quantities, flows and resources. United Nations University, International Telecommunication Union, and International Solid Waste Association.
Barber, P., López-Valcárcel, B. G. (2020). Forecasting the need for medical specialists in Spain: application of a system dynamics model. Human Resources for Health, 8(24), 1-9, https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-8-24.
Darabi, H., & Yaghmaei, S. (2012). Waste electrical and electronic equipment a valuable source for recycling. Iranian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 19 (62), 69-79, https://doi.org/20.1001.1.17355400.1391.11.62.8.2. [In Persian].
Dehghan, H., & Ramezani, R. (2019). Causes of recession in the Iranian housing market and ways out of it using the dynamic system. Industrial Management Studies, 17 (53), 109-126, https://doi.org/10.22054/jims.2019.10269.1375. [In Persian].
Dias, P., Bernardes, A.M., Huda, N. (2018). Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management: An analysis on the australian e-waste recycling scheme Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018, 197, 750–764, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.161.
Dwivedy, M., & Mittal, R.K. (2009). Estimation of future outflows of e-waste in India. Waste Management, 30. 483-491, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2009.09.024.
Ebrahimpour, M., moradi, M., mirfallah domochali, R. (2018). The Impact of Information Technology Capabilities and Supply Chain Integrity Capabilities on the New Product Development Performance: The Moderating Role of Knowledge Absorptive Capacity. Journal of Technology Development Management, 6(2), 109-136.https://doi.org/10.22104/jtdm.2018.2870.1970. [In Persian].
Forrester, J. (1980). Information Sources for Modeling the National Economy. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 75 (371), 555-574, https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1980.10477508.
Forrester, J., & Senge, P. (1980). Tests for Building Confidence in System Dynamics Models. TIMS Studies in the Management Sciences, 14, 209-228.
Forti, V., Balde, C.P., Kuehr, R., & Bel, G. (2020). The Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows and the circular economy potential. United Nations University (UNU)/United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – co-hosted SCYCLE Programme, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Bonn/Geneva/Rotterdam.
Guarnieri, P., e Silva, L., Xavier, L., & Chaves, G. (2020). Recycling Challenges for Electronic Consumer Products to E-Waste: A Developing Countries’ Perspective. chapter 5 of A. Khan et al. (eds.), E-waste Recycling and Management, Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World 33, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14184-4_5.
Haji Gholam Saryazdi, A. (2018). Systems Dynamics and its various software training in simple language (introduction and training of 14 software), with a foreword by Dr. Alinaghi Mashayekhi. Danesh Mandegar Asr Publications, First Edition, Winter 2018, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian].
Haji Gholam Saryazdi, A., Manteghi, M., & Zare Mehrjerdi, Y. (2013). Dynamic System, Alborz Diamond Publications, First Edition, Fall 2013, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian].
Haji Gholam Saryazdi, A., Rajabzadeh Ghatari, A., Mashayekhi, A.N., & Hassanzadeh, A. (2021). Crowd Model Building as a Collective Decision Support System, International Journal of Decision Support Systems,  4(3), 177-216, https://doi.org/10.1504/IJDSS.2021.10036043.
Haji Gholam Saryazdi, A., Sohrabi, S. (2020). Dynamics of the Impact of Yazd IT Incubator Policies on the Resilience of its Firms. Journal of Technology Development Management, 8(2), 177-208. https://doi.org/10.22104/jtdm.2020.4214.2526. [In Persian].
Hedayati Aq Mashhadi, A., Jafari, H. R., Karami, S., Galalizadeh, S., & Zahedi, S. (2014). Estimation of Economic Value of Recyclable Iron, Aluminum and Copper in Electronic Waste (Case Study: Region 6 of Tehran). Environmental Science, 40 (4), 999-1009, https://doi.org/10.22059/jes.2014.53015. [In Persian].
Kahhat, R., Kim, J., Xu, M., Allenby, B., Williams, E., & Zhang, P. (2008). Exploring e-waste management systems in the United States. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 52 (7), 955-964, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.03.002.
Kamali Saraji, M., & Morovati Sharifabadi, A. (2017). Application of System Dynamics in Forecasting: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Management, Accounting and Economics, 4(12), 1192-1205, https://www.ijmae.com/article_115223.html.
Khatami Firoozabadi, M. A., Abbasi Azar, A., Taghva, M. R., & Faizi, K. (2019). Evaluation Model of Electronic Services of Public Institutions (Case Study of Tehran Municipality). Industrial Management Studies, 17 (55), 1 - 33, https://doi.org/10.22054/jims.2019.24225.1833. [In Persian].
Kuehr, R. (2019). E-waste seen from a global perspective. Chapter 1 of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Handbook, 1-16, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102158-3.00001-X.
Kumar, A., Holuszko, M., & Espinosa, D. (2017). E-waste: An overview on generation, collection, legislation and recycling practices. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 122 (2017),  32–42, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.01.018.
Manavi zade, N., Agha Mohammadi Bosjin, S., & Karimi Ashtiani, P. (2020). Solving the Inventory Routing Problem of the Hazardous Waste Collection Network Considering the Internal and External Transportation Fleet. Scientific Quarterly of Industrial Management Studies, 18 (58),  215 – 245, https://doi.org/10.22054/jims.2019.44492.2346. [In Persian].
Me´ndez-Fajardo, S., Bo¨ni, H., Vanegas, P., & Sucozhan˜ay, D. (2019). Improving sustainability of E-waste management through the systemic design of solutions: the cases of Colombia and Ecuador. Chapter 19 of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Handbook,  443-478, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102158-3.00001-X.
Nikbeen, H., Badizadeh, A., Davari, A., hosseininia, G. (2018). An Effective Business Model in the Field of Electronics Business Using Repertory Grid Technique. Journal of Technology Development Management, 6(2), 137-159. https://doi.org/10.22104/jtdm.2018.2802.1946. [In Persian].
Ottiger, Fabian, Schröder, Patricia, Schluep, Mathias. (2019). Downstream Technology Option for E-waste Recycling, Deutsche Gesellschaft für, https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2019-en-business-option-e-waste-recycling.pdf
Perkins, D. N., Brune Drisse, M., Nxele, T., & Sly, P. D. (2014). E-Waste: A Global Hazard. Annals of Global Health, 80(4), 286-295, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2014.10.001.
Pinho, S., Ferreira, M., Almeida, M.F. (2018). A wet dismantling process for the recycling of computer printed circuit boards. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2018, 132, 71–76, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.01.022.
Shamim, A., Mursheda, AK., & Rafiq, I. (2015). E-Waste Trading Impact on Public Health and Ecosystem Services in Developing Countries. International Journal of Waste Resources, 5(4), 1-12, 188. https://doi.org/ 10.4172/2252-5211.1000188.
Shokoohyar, S., & Akbari, I. (2016). Designing a model for sustainable development of e-waste recycling. production and operations management, 7 (2) 137 – 152, https://doi.org/10.22108/jpom.2016.21097. [In Persian].
Sterman, J. (2000). Business dynamics: Systems thinking and modeling for a complex world. Boston: McGraw-Hill Publishing.
Tiseo, Ian. (2020). Ewaste collected recycling world wide by region. March 4. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1154648/ewaste-collected-recycling-world wide-by-region/
Tiseo, Ian. (2020). ousehold-appliances, europe market-revenue. March 4. https://www.statista.com/outlook/16000000/102/household-appliances/europe #market-revenue
Tiseo, Ian. (2020). projection-ewaste-generation-per-capita -worldwide. March 4. https://www.statista.com/statistics/499904/projection-ewaste-generation-per-capita -worldwide/
Tiseo, Ian. (2020). projection-ewaste-generation-worldwide. March 4. https://www.statista.com/statistics/499891/projection-ewaste-generation-worldwide/.
Van Yken, J., Boxall, N. J., Cheng, K. Y., Nikoloski, A. N., Moheimani, N. R., & Kaksonen, A. H. (2021). E-Waste Recycling and Resource Recovery: A Review on Technologies, Barriers and Enablers with a Focus on Oceania. Metals, 11(8), 1313. https://doi.org/10.3390/met11081313.
worldometers. (2020). World-population. April 21. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population /