Waste - Hazardous waste

Title

Evolution of the electronic waste management system in Spain

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 24, March 2012, Pages 56–65

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

The vastly increasing amounts of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has made it imperative to develop systems that can guarantee selective collection and correct treatment of such waste. The European Union (EU) Directive 2002/96/EC applies to WEEE, but some countries still lack legislation or have not yet devised a waste management system to comply with the law. In this setting, studies that provide information about how WEEE is managed in specific countries or regions can help facilitate shared experiences and increased learning about effective methods. Therefore, this study analyzes how WEEE management systems in Spain emerged, from the earliest drafts of the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC to its full implementation. The chronological analysis reveals the gradual implementation of each requirement, the problems involved, and the attempted solutions. This analysis in turn indicates which factors have played fundamental roles in the development of a waste management system and indicates conclusions of interest to managers throughout the world who must deal with WEEE.

Policy theme(s)

Waste >> Waste management
Waste >> Waste management >> Hazardous waste

Keywords

Electrical and electronic equipment; Recycling; Waste management system; Spain

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611004781
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Contact the study author at:

queiruga@usal.es

Title

Concentrations of RoHS Substances in Plastics from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Reference

EMPA Final Report, September 17, 2010, EU LIFE funded

Author(s)

Patrick Wäger, Mathias Schluep & Esther Müller

Study type

Report

Abstract

Since 1980, the share of plastics in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has continuously increased from about 14% to 18% in 1992, 22% in 2000 and estimated 23% in 2005. In 2008, the plastics share from European waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) over all categories was estimated to amount to 20.6%. Assuming that the members of the WEEE Forum collected and treated about 1.5 million tons of WEEE in 2008, they salvaged or disposed of some 300'000 tons plastic waste. The disposal and recovery of plastics from WEEE is of considerable significance, both financially/commercially and in terms of environmental implications. Amongst other things, plastics from WEEE may contain hazardous substances and can give rise to high processing costs, depending on the disposal or recovery route. This report was commissioned by the WEEE Forum to contribute to a formulation of normative requirements
with respect to depollution of WEEE. It is a sub-project of WEEELABEX, the 4-years project co-financed by the European Community (LIFE07 ENV/B/000041) that aims at producing a set of standards and procedures to verify compliance with those standards

Policy theme(s)

Waste >> Waste management >> Hazardous waste

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.weeeforum.org/sites/default/files/documents/2010_rohs_substances_in_weee_plastics.pdf
This study is free to view

Contact the study author at:

patrick.waeger@empa.ch

Title

Comparisons of IL-8, ROS and p53 responses in human lung epithelial cells exposed to two extracts of PM2.5 collected from an e-waste recycling area, China.

Reference

Environmental Research Letters, 6, 024013 DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/6/2/024013

Author(s)

Fangxing Yang, Shiwei Jin, Ying Xu and Yuanan Lu.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

To identify the different effects of organic-soluble and water-soluble pollutants adsorbed on PM2.5 (PM: particulate matter) released from e-waste (electrical/electronic waste) on inflammatory response, oxidative stress and DNA damage, interleukin-8 (IL-8), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p53 protein levels were determined and compared in human lung epithelial A549 cells exposed to extracts of PM2.5 collected from two sampling sites in an e-waste recycling area in China. It is found that both extracts induced increases of IL-8 release, ROS production and p53 protein expression. The differences between the organic-soluble and water-soluble extracts were determined as of significance for ROS production (p < 0.05) and p53 protein expression (p < 0.01). The ROS production and p53 protein expression induced by the organic-soluble extracts were found to be greater than those induced by the water-soluble extracts, for both sampling sites. The results indicated that PM2.5 collected from the e-waste recycling areas could lead to inflammatory response, oxidative stress and DNA damage, and the organic-soluble extracts had higher potential to induce such adverse effects on human health.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Product safety
Waste >> Waste management >> Hazardous waste

Keywords

IL-8, ROS, p53, PM2.5, A549 cells, e-waste

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/6/2/024013
It is free to view this study

Contact the study author at:

fxyang@ihb.ac.cn  and ylu@hawaii.edu

Title

How are WEEE doing? A global review of the management of electrical and electronic wastes

Reference

Waste Management
Volume 31, Issue 4, April 2011, Pages 714-730

Author(s)

F.O. Ongondo, I.D. Williams, and T.J. Cherrett

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper presents and critically analyses the current waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management practices in various countries and regions. Global trends in (i) the quantities and composition of WEEE; and (ii) the various strategies and practices adopted by selected countries to handle, regulate and prevent WEEE are comprehensively examined. The findings indicate that for (i), the quantities of WEEE generated are high and/or on the increase. IT and telecommunications equipment seem to be the dominant WEEE being generated, at least in terms of numbers, in Africa, in the poorer regions of Asia and in Latin/South America. However, the paper contends that the reported figures on quantities of WEEE generated may be grossly underestimated. For (ii), with the notable exception of Europe, many countries seem to be lacking or are slow in initiating, drafting and adopting WEEE regulations. Handling of WEEE in developing countries is typified by high rate of repair and reuse within a largely informal recycling sector. In both developed and developing nations, the landfilling of WEEE is still a concern. It has been established that stockpiling of unwanted electrical and electronic products is common in both the USA and less developed economies. The paper also identifies and discusses four common priority areas for WEEE across the globe, namely: (i) resource depletion; (ii) ethical concerns; (iii) health and environmental issues; and (iv) WEEE takeback strategies. Further, the paper discusses the future perspectives on WEEE generation, treatment, prevention and regulation. Four key conclusions are drawn from this review: global amounts of WEEE will continue unabated for some time due to emergence of new technologies and affordable electronics; informal recycling in developing nations has the potential of making a valuable contribution if their operations can be changed with strict safety standards as a priority; the pace of initiating and enacting WEEE specific legislation is very slow across the globe and in some cases non-existent; and globally, there is need for more accurate and current data on amounts and types of WEEE generated.

Policy theme(s)

Waste >> Waste management >> Hazardous waste

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X10005659
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Contact the study author at:

idw@soton.ac.uk

Title

Potential Environmental Impacts of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs): Metallic Resources, Toxicity, and Hazardous Waste Classification

Reference

Environ. Sci. Technol. 2011, 45 (1), pp 320-327
DOI: 10.1021/es101052q

Author(s)

Seong-Rin Lim, Daniel Kang, Oladele A. Ogunseitan, and Julie M. Schoenung

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are advertised as environmentally friendly because they are energy efficient and mercury-free. This study aimed to determine if LEDs engender other forms of environmental and human health impacts, and to characterize variation across different LEDs based on color and intensity. The objectives are as follows: (i) to use standardized leachability tests to examine whether LEDs are to be categorized as hazardous waste under existing United States federal and California state regulations; and (ii) to use material life cycle impact and hazard assessment methods to evaluate resource depletion and toxicity potentials of LEDs based on their metallic constituents. According to federal standards, LEDs are not hazardous except for low-intensity red LEDs, which leached Pb at levels exceeding regulatory limits (186 mg/L; regulatory limit: 5). However, according to California regulations, excessive levels of copper (up to 3892 mg/kg; limit: 2500), Pb (up to 8103 mg/kg; limit: 1000), nickel (up to 4797 mg/kg; limit: 2000), or silver (up to 721 mg/kg; limit: 500) render all except low-intensity yellow LEDs hazardous. The environmental burden associated with resource depletion potentials derives primarily from gold and silver, whereas the burden from toxicity potentials is associated primarily with arsenic, copper, nickel, lead, iron, and silver. Establishing benchmark levels of these substances can help manufacturers implement design for environment through informed materials substitution, can motivate recyclers and waste management teams to recognize resource value and occupational hazards, and can inform policymakers who establish waste management policies for LEDs.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Resource efficiency >> Materials >> Material efficiency
Waste >> Waste management >> Hazardous waste

Keywords

LEDs, hazardous waste

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/es101052q
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Contact the study author at:

jmschoenung@ucdavis.edu