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Using New Spare Parts for Repair of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment? The Material Footprint of Individual Components

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  • Nadja von Gries

    (Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), University of Kassel, Wilhelmshoeher Allee 47, 34117 Kassel, Germany)

  • Stefan Bringezu

    (Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), University of Kassel, Wilhelmshoeher Allee 47, 34117 Kassel, Germany)

Abstract

The growing production of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) requires close loop management to protect the environment and save resources. Repair and reuse can extend the product’s life span. However, debates on the differences seen in resource consumption linked to the different ways of repairing devices have received a limited amount of attention. This article demonstrates quantification of the resource consumption (cradle-to-gate) of five types of appliances on a component level based on life-cycle assessment within the framework of the product-material-footprint. The data for this assessment is based on the dismantling of these products, weighing their components, and determining their material composition. The results show that the resource relevance of all devices is dominated by a few individual components. For example, for flat-screen monitors, 5 out of 17 components per device account for more than 90% of resource consumption (abiotic total material requirement). Hence, repairing devices while using new spare parts is not always the most resource-efficient way of handling WEEE. The results of this investigation suggest that the resource consumption in repairs should be taken into account at different levels, e.g., regulatory, with regard to eco-design requirements, or for informational purposes with a view to the consideration of the repair and reuse practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Nadja von Gries & Stefan Bringezu, 2022. "Using New Spare Parts for Repair of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment? The Material Footprint of Individual Components," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:24-:d:754306
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Natalia M. Gusmerotti & Filippo Corsini & Alessandra Borghini & Marco Frey, 2019. "Assessing the role of preparation for reuse in waste-prevention strategies by analytical hierarchical process: suggestions for an optimal implementation in waste management supply chain," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2773-2792, December.
    2. Clemens Mostert & Stefan Bringezu, 2019. "Measuring Product Material Footprint as New Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method: Indicators and Abiotic Characterization Factors," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Daniel R. Cooper & Timothy G. Gutowski, 2017. "The Environmental Impacts of Reuse: A Review," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(1), pages 38-56, February.
    4. Ritthoff, Michael & Rohn, Holger & Liedtke, Christa, 2002. "MIPS berechnen: Ressourcenproduktivität von Produkten und Dienstleistungen," Wuppertal Spezial, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, volume 27, number 27.
    5. Sohani Vihanga Withanage & Komal Habib, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Analysis: Two Under-Utilized Tools for Informing E-Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-21, July.
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