Recycling Potential for Non-Valorized Plastic Fractions from Electrical and Electronic Waste

This paper describes a study for waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to characterise the plastic composition of different mixed plastic fractions. Most of the samples studied are currently excluded from material recycling and arise as side streams in state-of-the-art plastics recycling plants. These samples contain brominated flame retardants (BFR) or other substances of concern listed as persistent organic pollutants or in the RoHS directive. Seventeen samples, including cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors, CRT televisions, flat screens such as liquid crystal displays, small domestic appliances, and information and communication technology, were investigated using density- and dissolution-based separation processes. The total bromine and chlorine contents of the samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, indicating a substantial concentration of both elements in density fractions above 1.1 g/cm3, most significantly in specific solubility classes referring to ABS and PS. This was further supported by specific flame retardant analysis. It was shown that BFR levels of both polymers can be reduced to levels below 1000 ppm by dissolution and precipitation processes enabling material recycling in compliance with current legislation. As additional target polymers PC and PC-ABS were also recycled by dissolution but did not require an elimination of BFR. Finally, physicochemical investigations of recycled materials as gel permeation chromatography, melt flow rate, and differential scanning calorimetry suggest a high purity and indicate no degradation of the technical properties of the recycled polymers.

The Proposition of a Mathematical Model for the Location of Electrical and Electronic Waste Collection Points

Given the environmental impacts produced by the growing increase in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and their current inadequate management, this article proposes a mathematical model to define the best location for installing WEEE collection points. The objective is to minimize the cost of the reverse logistics system concerning transportation, installation, opportunity cost, and distance between points and demand. We used a heuristic created from the greedy randomized adaptive search procedure and genetic algorithm meta-heuristics to solve the model, with part of the model variables being defined by another heuristic or by the JuMP v.0.21.2 and CLP Solver v.0.7.1 packages, to guarantee an optimal response to a subproblem of these variables. The model and its solver were written in the Julia Programming Language and executed in two test scenarios. In the first, three vehicles with small loads must collect at five points. In the second, a vehicle with greater available capacity must collect at five points. The results obtained show that the mathematical model and the heuristic are adequate to solve the problem. Thus, we understood that the proposed method contributes to the literature, given the criticality of the current scenario concerning the management of WEEE, and it can assist managers and public policymakers when providing inputs for decision-making related to the choice of the best location for installing collection points.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on E-Waste Recycling among Public in Port Dickson

Electrical and electronic waste (E-waste) is defined as electrical and electronic appliances that are broken or unwanted by the present owner and are due to be thrown away. The rise in volume at a global scale is driven by several factors, such as economic development, increasing populations, and the shorter lifespan of electrical appliances. This global environmental issue could affect both the environment and human health. As agreed by many researchers, E-waste recycling is one of the options that will help in dealing with this rising issue. However, are Malaysian citizens ready to participate in the recycling of E-waste? This is the question that motivated this research. This study was conducted among 271 respondents in Port Dickson to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) on E-waste recycling among the public. It is also intended to investigate the demographic factors influencing the issue. The findings show that educational background is the main factor that affects the KAP on E-waste recycling. Mass media, such as television, radio, and the internet, are the most likely sources of information on E-waste recycling for the respondents. The findings of this research are significant in providing insights for the government, NGOs, and other stakeholders in managing E-waste, and helping minimize this issue in the study area.

Fastest Growing Waste: E-waste

Electrical and electronic waste commonly known as e-waste is now one of the world's major concerns. Industries have been so diligent and successful in recent years. The sales and trend of electronic goods have increased rapidly in the world. But with the increase in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic goods and their trend, the result has been somehow leading us to the concern of e-waste. The obsolescence of electrical and electronics goods has become a huge drawback in the field technology because it is measured that various techniques have been used to solve this issue regarding the e-waste produced by industries but none of the solutions to recycle was very effective in the favors of nature and biodiversity. This research paper aims to particularize highlight and determine, the major concern, the effect of e-waste on environment and health.

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC WASTE: A GROWING ISSUE

“WEEE” or Waste electrical and electronic equipments” A computer complete with monitor, keyboard, mouse and the central processing unit weight about 32 kg. But with no scientific system of recycling in place they are dumped as E-waste. Pile after pile of chips and assorted bits and pieces of computers are contributed by IT companies. As the IT segment tries to keep pace the recycling market gets flooded with fresh stocks of electronics materials - stripped, pounded and extracted. The BPO/IT segment is one of the largest generators of e-waste. As the problem of e-waste continues to grow bigger, the need to evolve clean means of disposal has become more urgent. Some private companies are working on scientific recycling of waste. The bulk of e-waste still travels to the scrap yards and the backroom recycler.