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Using Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technology for Digital Circular Economy Enablement: The Case of Electronic Equipment

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Magrini

    (Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy)

  • Jana Nicolas

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

  • Holger Berg

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

  • Alberto Bellini

    (Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi” (DEI), University of Bologna, 47522 Cesena, Italy)

  • Enrico Paolini

    (Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi” (DEI), University of Bologna, 47522 Cesena, Italy)

  • Nazarena Vincenti

    (Erion Compliance Organization, 20154 Milano, Italy)

  • Luca Campadello

    (Erion Compliance Organization, 20154 Milano, Italy)

  • Alessandra Bonoli

    (Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Nowadays, high expectations are set for a digitally enabled circular economy (CE), to enhance resource efficiency. Tracing, tracking, and storing information is most important for this. In this paper, the application of Internet of Things (IoT) and Distributed Ledger Technology (Blockchain) are hence discussed by presenting the case of professional Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) in Italy. Within the context of CE, prevention of electronic waste (WEEE) is extremely relevant as it is a fast-growing waste stream, and the products contain environmentally damaging substances as well as valuable and rare materials. The use of a proper combination of IoT and blockchain can help the producers to keep control on products until EEE end-of-life, while promoting CE strategies and supporting decision-making. Based on the outcomes of five interviews conducted in 2019 to companies of the EEE sector, potential improvements in the EEE end-of-use management are discussed. After providing the definition of requirements for both the technical solution and its testing are provided, three solution variations and the related business models are created and presented, as well as considerations on their environmental and economic impacts. The study shows how digital technologies can support the appropriate and circular management of EEE products and WEEE.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Magrini & Jana Nicolas & Holger Berg & Alberto Bellini & Enrico Paolini & Nazarena Vincenti & Luca Campadello & Alessandra Bonoli, 2021. "Using Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technology for Digital Circular Economy Enablement: The Case of Electronic Equipment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4982-:d:545875
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Gianmarco Bressanelli & Federico Adrodegari & Daniela C. A. Pigosso & Vinit Parida, 2022. "Towards the Smart Circular Economy Paradigm: A Definition, Conceptualization, and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Asfand Yar Khan & Maria Akhtar & Azmat Yar Khan, 2024. "Digitalization for a Sustainable Performance: Dual-Study Analysis of Digital Leadership, Circular Economy, and Technological Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-21, November.
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    5. Fabio De Felice & Antonella Petrillo, 2021. "Green Transition: The Frontier of the Digicircular Economy Evidenced from a Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-26, October.
    6. Yasanur Kayikci & Nazlican Gozacan‐Chase & Abderahman Rejeb & Kaliyan Mathiyazhagan, 2022. "Critical success factors for implementing blockchain‐based circular supply chain," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3595-3615, November.
    7. Hilal Shams & Altaf Hossain Molla & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman & Hawa Hishamuddin & Zambri Harun & Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar, 2023. "Exploring Industry-Specific Research Themes on E-Waste: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    8. Tsan-Ming Choi & Tana Siqin, 2024. "Can government policies help to achieve the pollutant emissions information disclosure target in the Industry 4.0 era?," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 342(2), pages 1129-1147, November.
    9. Marie-Luc Arpin & Stéphanie H. Leclerc & Geoffrey Lonca, 2024. "The Circular Economy (CE) Rebound as a Paradox of Knowledge: Forecasting the Future of the CE–IoT Nexus through the Global E-Waste Crisis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-22, July.
    10. Terje Andersen & Bjørn Jæger, 2021. "Circularity for Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE), the Edge and Distributed Ledger (Edge&DL) Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-23, September.
    11. Luigi Panza & Giulia Bruno & Franco Lombardi, 2023. "Integrating Absolute Sustainability and Social Sustainability in the Digital Product Passport to Promote Industry 5.0," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-20, August.
    12. Leonardo Fernandes & António Miguel Rosado da Cruz & Estrela Ferreira Cruz & Sérgio Ivan Lopes, 2023. "A Review on Adopting Blockchain and IoT Technologies for Fostering the Circular Economy in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Value Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-23, March.
    13. Anđelka Štilić & Edisa Puška & Adis Puška & Darko Božanić, 2023. "An Expert-Opinion-Based Evaluation Framework for Sustainable Technology-Enhanced Learning Using Z-Numbers and Fuzzy Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-18, August.
    14. Ramesh Subramoniam & Erik Sundin & Suresh Subramoniam & Donald Huisingh, 2021. "Riding the Digital Product Life Cycle Waves towards a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-23, August.
    15. Alessandra Neri & Marta Negri & Enrico Cagno & Simone Franzò & Vikas Kumar & Tommaso Lampertico & Carlo Andrea Bassani, 2023. "The role of digital technologies in supporting the implementation of circular economy practices by industrial small and medium enterprises," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4693-4718, November.
    16. Dongmei Cao & Elmar Puntaier & Fatima Gillani & Dennis Chapman & Sunita Dewitt, 2024. "Towards integrative multi‐stakeholder responsibility for net zero in e‐waste: A systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 8994-9014, December.
    17. Giulio Caldarelli, 2023. "Investigating Assumptions and Proposals for Blockchain Integration in the Circular Economy. A Delphi Study," Papers 2312.13774, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2024.
    18. Yuan Huang & Mahmood Shafiee & Fiona Charnley & Adriana Encinas-Oropesa, 2022. "Designing a Framework for Materials Flow by Integrating Circular Economy Principles with End-of-Life Management Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, April.
    19. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & John G. Keogh & Suhaiza Zailani, 2022. "Barriers to Blockchain Adoption in the Circular Economy: A Fuzzy Delphi and Best-Worst Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    20. Chauhan, Chetna & Parida, Vinit & Dhir, Amandeep, 2022. "Linking circular economy and digitalisation technologies: A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).

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