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The Potential and Limitations of Critical Raw Material Recycling: The Case of LED Lamps

Author

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  • Julia S. Nikulski

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Doeppersberg 19, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Michael Ritthoff

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Doeppersberg 19, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Nadja von Gries

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Doeppersberg 19, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

Abstract

Supply risks and environmental concerns drive the interest in critical raw material recycling in the European Union. Globally, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is projected to increase by almost 40% until 2030. This waste stream can be a source of secondary raw materials. The determination of the economic feasibility of recycling and recovering specific materials is a data-intensive, time-consuming, and case-specific task. This study introduced a two-part evaluation scheme consisting of upper continental crust concentrations and raw material prices as a simple tool to indicate the potential and limitations of critical raw material recycling. It was applied to the case of light-emitting diodes (LED) lamps in the EU. A material flow analysis was conducted, and the projected waste amounts were analyzed using the new scheme. Indium, gallium, and the rare earth elements appeared in low concentrations and low absolute masses and showed only a small revenue potential. Precious metals represented the largest revenue share. Future research should confirm the validity and usefulness of the evaluation scheme.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia S. Nikulski & Michael Ritthoff & Nadja von Gries, 2021. "The Potential and Limitations of Critical Raw Material Recycling: The Case of LED Lamps," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:10:y:2021:i:4:p:37-:d:537769
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Fishman, Tomer & Lauk, Christian & Haas, Willi & Krausmann, Fridolin, 2019. "Integrating Material Stock Dynamics Into Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting: Concepts, Modelling, and Global Application for 1900–2050," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 121-133.
    2. Shinsuke Murakami & Masahiro Oguchi & Tomohiro Tasaki & Ichiro Daigo & Seiji Hashimoto, 2010. "Lifespan of Commodities, Part I," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 14(4), pages 598-612, August.
    3. Carruth, Mark A. & Allwood, Julian M. & Moynihan, Muiris C., 2011. "The technical potential for reducing metal requirements through lightweight product design," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 48-60.
    4. Oguchi, Masahiro & Kameya, Takashi & Yagi, Suguru & Urano, Kohei, 2008. "Product flow analysis of various consumer durables in Japan," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 463-480.
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    Cited by:

    1. Walter Leal Filho & Richard Kotter & Pinar Gökçin Özuyar & Ismaila Rimi Abubakar & João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio & Newton R. Matandirotya, 2023. "Understanding Rare Earth Elements as Critical Raw Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.

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