Waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) or e-waste is one of the fastest-growing solid waste management challenges for countries around the world. Electronic waste is an environmental and health problem in the United Kingdom, where 6 million metric tonnes of e-waste is produced. Households in the UK produce more than 4,00,000 tonnes of electronic waste, of which 40% constitutes large items like refrigerators and dishwashers.
Currently, the UK recycles less than 50% of its WEEE, and a large amount is disposed of in other waste management and residual streams. However, considering the increasing complexity of the problem, the government has endeavoured to effectively manage its electronic waste. According to the inquiry of the Environmental Audit Committee, “The government aims to reduce environmental impact, create economic opportunities and maintain access to critical materials by better managing and minimising its e-waste.” The circular economy is a valuable concept that is gaining traction in managing WEEE.
What is Circular Economy (CE)?
It is a sustainable economic development model that challenges the traditional model of resource consumption and waste generation in the economy. The circular economy focuses on using minimum resources and generating minimum waste throughout the product life cycle. From using materials that are environmentally friendly to sharing, reusing, repairing, and refurbishing products to eliminate waste, the circular economy is a holistic approach to managing the product lifecycle. As electric and electronic components often contain toxic materials and use precious metals, the circular economy is highly relevant and effective in managing e-waste.
Let’s find out how 10R strategies can facilitate the integration of CE in handling electric waste.
3R’s of Design Phase:
R0- Refuse: The first R represents Refuse which means to say no to the harmful materials, processes and products in the first place. The circular economy concepts encourage companies to minimise the use of toxic materials that are harmful to the environment and emphasise phasing out production processes that are resource-intensive or produce considerable carbon emissions. At an individual level, Refuse implies not buying gadgets that one does not need. There is an average of 10.3 internet-connected devices in UK households. The goal of Refuse is to bring the number down to the necessary equipment.
R1- Rethink: The mantra for this R is scalability, multifunctionality, and durability. The goal is to make products that are use-intensive. From designing multifunctional products to producing products that are durable, Rethink focuses on developing products that can be used extensively. A great example of ‘Rethink’ is a smartphone. It has made many other electronic devices redundant, such as alarm clocks, digital clocks, timers, cameras, voice recorders etc. Another way to design ‘Rethink’ is to transform electric products into services. For example, people and businesses can rent laptops, phones, TVs, and other appliances from digital warehouses and companies.
R2-Reduce: This R of the Circular Economy is meant to reduce material consumption during the design and use phase. Reducing the use of harmful and precious elements in manufacturing can take the stress away from natural resources. One way ‘Reduce’ is achieved is by using renewable energy in the production processes and lowering carbon emissions. The other way is to reduce the number of products by using multifunctional products. The goal is to reduce the resources and waste generation throughout the product lifecycle.
R3-Reuse: The first of the medium loop strategies is reuse. Reuse is the key to achieving a zero-waste lifestyle. Reuse is the use of the products by another consumer for the same original purpose for which the product is created. A simple example of ‘Reuse’ is when you sell your cellphone, camera, or wearable technology to another user, you are participating in the circular economy. It extends the lifespan of the product that would have otherwise been thrown away. Another way to practice ‘reuse’ is to buy electronics from second-hand markets. Reuse is also about parts harvesting in which smaller, functional components are used in other devices.
R4-Repair: Repair and maintenance is another way to extend the lifespan of a product and add to its longevity. The United Kingdom has introduced various ‘Right to Repair’ laws for electrical products that aim to make repairs accessible and affordable for consumers. The laws are applicable to Dishwashers, Washing machines, Washer-dryers, Refrigeration appliances, Televisions, electronic displays, and many other appliances. According to the rules, the company should continue to produce spare parts for consumers till ten years after the discontinuation of a model. It also requires manufacturers to provide repair services and publish information to encourage self-repair.
R5-Refurbish: Refurbish is to revitalise old products to find a new life. Upgrading old products, recolouring the faded case, or buffing worn-out displays are all examples of ‘Refurbishing’ electrical products. If you have not known, there are large markets for refurbished electronic devices in Asia and Africa. Moreover, the use of refurbished devices within the UK has gained momentum in recent years, with 25% of all phones purchased in the country in 2022 being refurbished phones. 80% of a smartphone’s total carbon footprint arises from its production phase; when it is refurbished for another life, a large amount of raw materials and energy is saved. It reduces the total number of new devices required in the consumer market.
R6-Remanufacture: Remanufacturing is about using the parts to make a new whole. It differs from reuse and refurbish because the working components are used to produce a new product. In this R, a new product is built using old, repaired, and new components. There are industry-specific and cross-industry strategies to encourage the remanufacturing of the products.
A great example of remanufacturing is in the automobile industry, where large quantities of ‘core’ parts are processed in the remanufacturing plants and are used in new car assemblies.
R7-Repurpose: While remanufacturing and refurbishing focus on the same use for which the component is produced, repurposing is about using the discarded components to build an entirely different product. Both electronic and mechanical parts of the devices and appliances can be repurposed to avoid salvaging them. In one of the examples, the company Tracegrow produces organic fertilisers from batteries used in electrical devices. Not only these fertilisers are organic and full of micronutrients, but they also reduce carbon emissions.
R8-Recycle: Recycling WEEE is an important part of the circular economy and is already widely practised in the country. The owners can take their small and large electric and electronic devices to recycling units, where they are disintegrated into components. For example, metal and aluminium casing can be smelted down to blocks and then used in other products. When you are getting rid of your old refrigerators, dishwashers, heaters, and microwaves, you should take them to local recycling plants to participate in eliminating waste.
R9- Recovery: WEEE contains materials including plastic, aluminium, iron, and precious metals such as gold and silver. Precious raw materials and natural resources can be captured and used in other applications. Recapturing rare raw materials not only reduces the need for mining, which is an emissions-intensive process, but also saves natural resources. Moreover, incineration of WEEE is used for energy recovery in the UK, contributing to clean energy in the country.
E-waste is not only a challenge, but it provides opportunities to harbour clean energy and protect our planet. Embracing circular economy and 10R strategies across all stakeholders of WEEE can be highly effective in maximising resource use and eliminating waste.