Closing the Loop on E‐waste: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

• DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12645
• Publication Date: 2017-08-26T14:22:36Z
• Authors: Ben Bridgens; Kersty Hobson; Debra Lilley; Jacquetta Lee; Janet L. Scott; Garrath T. Wilson
• Keywords: Circular Economy; Industrial Ecology; Unintended consequences; Mobile phone

Summary This paper describes the challenges faced, and opportunities identified, by a multidisciplinary team of researchers developing novel closed loop system to recover valuable metals reduce e‐waste, focusing on mobile phones as case study. approach is contrasted with current top‐down approaches making transition circular economy (CE). The aim research presented here develop product service (PSS) that facilitates recovery functional components from phone circuit boards. To create holistic solution limit unintended consequences, in addition technological solutions, this considers appropriate component lifetimes; (often ignored) role citizen economy; customer interaction PSS; environmental life cycle assessment; social impacts proposed PSS. Development enabling technologies materials facilitate provide an emotionally durable external enclosure described. also highlights importance understanding value CE multifaceted interdisciplinary perspective.