Collection and recycling of electronic scrap: A worldwide overview and comparison with the Brazilian situation

Journal Article · Wed Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Waste Management

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.04.003· OSTI ID:21613006

Reis de Oliveira, Camila, E-mail: [e-mail] ^[1]; Moura Bernardes, Andrea, E-mail: [e-mail] ^[2]; Gerbase, Annelise Engel, E-mail: [e-mail] ^[1]

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1. Instituto de Quimica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Goncalves 9500, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS (Brazil)
2. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Engenharia de Minas, Metalurgica e de Materiais (PPGE3M) and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS (Brazil)

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Review of the different e-waste collection systems and recycling processes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We present the e-waste collection systems used in Europe and in the US. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We present e-waste collection systems used in Asia and Latin America. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer E-waste management between developed and developing countries is very different. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We made a comparison of the world situation to the current Brazilian reality. - Abstract: Recycling and the related issue of sustainable development are increasing in importance around the world. In Brazil, the new National Policy on Solid Wastes has prompted discussion on the future of electronic waste (e-waste). Over the last 10 years, different e-waste collection systems and recycling processes have been applied globally. This paper presents the systems used in different countries and compares the world situation to the current Brazilian reality. To establish a recycling process, it is necessary to organize efficient collection management. The main difficulty associated with the implementation of e-waste recycling processes in Brazil is the collection system, as its efficiency depends not only on the education and cooperation of the people but also on cooperation among industrial waste generators, distributors and the government. Over half a million waste pickers have been reported in Brazil and they are responsible for the success of metal scrap collection in the country. The country also has close to 2400 companies and cooperatives involved in recycling and scrap trading. On the other hand, the collection and recycling of e-waste is still incipient because e-wastes are not seen as valuable in the informal sector. The Brazilian challenge is therefore to organize a system of e-waste management including the informal sector without neglecting environmentally sound management principles.

• OSTI ID: 21613006
• Journal Information: Waste Management, Vol. 32, Issue 8; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2012.04.003; PII: S0956-053X(12)00145-6; Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
BRAZIL
COOPERATION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
METALS
RECYCLING
REVIEWS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
WASTE MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
LATIN AMERICA
MANAGEMENT
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SOUTH AMERICA
WASTES