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Systematic Quantification of Waste Compositions: A Case Study for Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment Plastics in the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander Boudewijn

    (Centre for Industrial Management/Traffic & Infrastructure, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Jef R. Peeters

    (Centre for Industrial Management/Traffic & Infrastructure, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    Flanders Make Institute, 3001 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Dirk Cattrysse

    (Centre for Industrial Management/Traffic & Infrastructure, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Wim Dewulf

    (Campus Group T, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Luca Campadello

    (Erion, 20154 Milan, Italy)

  • Alessia Accili

    (Erion, 20154 Milan, Italy)

  • Joost R. Duflou

    (Flanders Make Institute, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
    Manufacturing Processes and Systems (MaPS) Unit, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a prominent and increasing waste stream for which the Commission of the European Union has put in place ambitious recycling targets. However, these targets can only be achieved by ensuring that both industry and governments develop adequate infrastructure and policies for recycling plastics in an economically and technically optimal manner. Unfortunately, a quantitative overview of WEEE plastics covering the composition of waste streams down to the product component level and describing polymer and additive concentrations, is currently lacking. This hinders policymakers and recyclers in making strategic decisions regarding WEEE plastics recycling. Therefore, a novel method is proposed in this paper combining experimental results with findings from prior literature in order to provide sound quantitative insights into the volume and characteristics of the plastics content of WEEE collected in the European Union. The provided overview was obtained through a combination of proprietary experimental data and a statistical data integration method. More specifically, over 3800 samples awere analysed through manual composition analysis, FTIR, and XRF. The obtained results were integrated with data from prior literature through a novel data integration methodology based on linear opinion pools. The obtained results confirm that distinct plastic types can be found in different product categories and that flame retardants are only found in high concentrations in specific waste streams or components thereof. Hence, the presented analysis provides a quantitative substantiation for the separate collection and treatment of specific waste streams in order to reduce the complexity of the mix of plastic types and allow for the more cost-efficient and higher quality recycling of plastics.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Boudewijn & Jef R. Peeters & Dirk Cattrysse & Wim Dewulf & Luca Campadello & Alessia Accili & Joost R. Duflou, 2022. "Systematic Quantification of Waste Compositions: A Case Study for Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment Plastics in the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:7054-:d:834766
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert T. Clemen & Robert L. Winkler, 1999. "Combining Probability Distributions From Experts in Risk Analysis," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(2), pages 187-203, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.

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