Study on the Recycling and Treatment of WEEE in China
Affiliation(s)
Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong. Department of Mathematics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong. Department of Mathematics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the regulations, recycling and treatment of WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) in China. An online survey about Chinese households’ treatment of WEEE is conducted. Optimization models are used to compare the performances of WEEE treatment in two different recycling networks. In the first network, WEEE is collected and sent by recycling stations to licensed WEEE recycling and treatment centers for testing and dismantling. In the second network, WEEE are tested and dismantled at small recycling workshops in residential districts, and then parts/components that require further processing are sent to licensed WEEE recycling and treatment centers. The performances of the two networks are analyzed with linear programming models. The results indicate that the second model is more effective with lower cost and higher recycling efficiency.
This paper investigates the regulations, recycling and treatment of WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) in China. An online survey about Chinese households’ treatment of WEEE is conducted. Optimization models are used to compare the performances of WEEE treatment in two different recycling networks. In the first network, WEEE is collected and sent by recycling stations to licensed WEEE recycling and treatment centers for testing and dismantling. In the second network, WEEE are tested and dismantled at small recycling workshops in residential districts, and then parts/components that require further processing are sent to licensed WEEE recycling and treatment centers. The performances of the two networks are analyzed with linear programming models. The results indicate that the second model is more effective with lower cost and higher recycling efficiency.
Cite this paper
B. Yang and R. Chen, "Study on the Recycling and Treatment of WEEE in China," American Journal of Operations Research, Vol. 2 No. 3, 2012, pp. 273-282. doi: 10.4236/ajor.2012.23033.
B. Yang and R. Chen, "Study on the Recycling and Treatment of WEEE in China," American Journal of Operations Research, Vol. 2 No. 3, 2012, pp. 273-282. doi: 10.4236/ajor.2012.23033.
References
[1] P. A. W?ger, R. Hischier and M. Eugster, “Environmental Impacts of the Swiss Collection and Recycling Systems for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Follow-Up,” Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 409, No. 10, 2011, pp. 1746-1756. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.01.050 [2] C. H. Lin, L. Wen and Y. M. Tsai, “Applying Decision- Making Tools to National E-Waste Recycling Policy: An Example of Analytic Hierarchy Process,” Waste Management, Vol. 30, 2010, pp. 863-869. [3] G. Davis and S. Herat, “Opportunities and Constraints for Developing a Sustainable E-Waste Management System at Local Government Level in Australia,” Waste Management & Research, Vol. 28, No. 8, 2010, pp. 705-713. doi:10.1177/0734242X09343008 [4] C. Hicks, R. Dietmara and M. Eugsterb, “The Recycling and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Waste in China —Legislative and Market Responses,” Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 25, No. 5, 2005, pp. 459- 471. doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2005.04.007 [5] Z. H. Luo and G. M. Zhou, “Study on the Current Situation of Electronic Waste in China,” Jiangsu Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2006, pp. 104-107 (in Chinese). [6] Y. W. Li, J. Yang and H. Li, “Study on Domestic and Foreign Environmental Management and Treatment Technology of Waste Electronics,” Environment Science Trends, Vol. 3, 2004, pp. 36-37 (in Chinese). [7] X. Chen, J. Fu, J. H. Cheng and Q. F. Zhou, “The Recycling Situation and Counter-Measures of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in China,” Renewable Resources and Recycling Economy, Vol. 2, No. 7, 2009, pp. 34-38 (in Chinese). [8] S. C. Dong and Z. J. Fan, “Research on the E-Waste Circular Industry in China,” Resource Science, Vol. 27, No. 1, 2005, pp. 39-45 (in Chinese). [9] J. X. Yang, B. Lu and C. Xu, “WEEE Flow and Mitigating Measures in China,” Waste Management, Vol. 28, No. 9, 2007, pp. 1589-1597. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2007.08.019 [10] M. Streicher-Porte and J. X. Yang, “WEEE Recycling in China: Present Situation and Main Obstacles for Improvement,” Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics & the Environment, 7-10 May 2007, pp. 40-45. [11] W. Z. He, G. M. Li, X. F. Ma, H. Wang, J. W. Huang, M. Xu and C. J. Huang, “Review WEEE Recycling Strategies and the WEEE Treatment Status in China,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 136, No. 3, 2006, pp. 502- 512. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.04.060 [12] X. W. Chi, M. Streicher-Porte, M. Y. L. Wang and M. A. Reuter, “Informal Electronic Waste Recycling: A Sector Review with Special Focus on China,” Waste Management, Vol. 31, 2011, pp. 731-742. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2010.11.006 [13] Y. P. Li and G. H. Huang, “An Interval-Based Possibilistic Programming Method for Waste Management with Cost Minimization and Environmental-Impact Abatement under Uncertainty,” Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 408, No. 20, 2010, pp. 4296-4308. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.05.038 [14] P. Costi, R. Minciardi, M. Robba, M. Rovatti and R. Sacile, “An Environmentally Sustainable Decision Model for Urban Solid Waste Management,” Waste Management, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2004, pp. 277-295. doi:10.1016/S0956-053X(03)00126-0 [15] I. Puig-Ventosa, “Charging Systems and PAYT Experiences for Waste Management in Spain,” Waste Management, Vol. 28, No. 12, 2008, pp. 2767-2771. [16] Y. H. Chang and N. B. Chang, “Optimization Analysis for the Development of Short-Team Solid Waste Management Strategies Using Presorting Process Prior to Incinerators,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 24, No. 1, 1998, pp. 7-32. doi:10.1016/S0921-3449(98)00036-6 [17] J. Li and J. H. Zhang, “Reverse Logistic Game about Obsolete Computer and the Cost-Benefit Recycling Moel,” China Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Vol. 26, No. 4, 2008, pp. 10-14 (in Chinese). [18] G. T. R. Silveira and S.-Y. Chang, “Cell Phone Recycling Experiences in the United States and potential recycling options in Brazil,” Waste Management, Vol. 30, No. 11, 2010, pp. 2278-2291. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2010.05.011 [19] Y. J. Ge, Y. Y. Jin and Y. J. Nie, “Study on the WEEE Recycling Management,” Environmental Sciences & Technology, Vol. 29, No. 3, 2006, pp. 61-63 (in Chinese).
[1] P. A. W?ger, R. Hischier and M. Eugster, “Environmental Impacts of the Swiss Collection and Recycling Systems for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Follow-Up,” Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 409, No. 10, 2011, pp. 1746-1756. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.01.050 [2] C. H. Lin, L. Wen and Y. M. Tsai, “Applying Decision- Making Tools to National E-Waste Recycling Policy: An Example of Analytic Hierarchy Process,” Waste Management, Vol. 30, 2010, pp. 863-869. [3] G. Davis and S. Herat, “Opportunities and Constraints for Developing a Sustainable E-Waste Management System at Local Government Level in Australia,” Waste Management & Research, Vol. 28, No. 8, 2010, pp. 705-713. doi:10.1177/0734242X09343008 [4] C. Hicks, R. Dietmara and M. Eugsterb, “The Recycling and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Waste in China —Legislative and Market Responses,” Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 25, No. 5, 2005, pp. 459- 471. doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2005.04.007 [5] Z. H. Luo and G. M. Zhou, “Study on the Current Situation of Electronic Waste in China,” Jiangsu Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2006, pp. 104-107 (in Chinese). [6] Y. W. Li, J. Yang and H. Li, “Study on Domestic and Foreign Environmental Management and Treatment Technology of Waste Electronics,” Environment Science Trends, Vol. 3, 2004, pp. 36-37 (in Chinese). [7] X. Chen, J. Fu, J. H. Cheng and Q. F. Zhou, “The Recycling Situation and Counter-Measures of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in China,” Renewable Resources and Recycling Economy, Vol. 2, No. 7, 2009, pp. 34-38 (in Chinese). [8] S. C. Dong and Z. J. Fan, “Research on the E-Waste Circular Industry in China,” Resource Science, Vol. 27, No. 1, 2005, pp. 39-45 (in Chinese). [9] J. X. Yang, B. Lu and C. Xu, “WEEE Flow and Mitigating Measures in China,” Waste Management, Vol. 28, No. 9, 2007, pp. 1589-1597. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2007.08.019 [10] M. Streicher-Porte and J. X. Yang, “WEEE Recycling in China: Present Situation and Main Obstacles for Improvement,” Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics & the Environment, 7-10 May 2007, pp. 40-45. [11] W. Z. He, G. M. Li, X. F. Ma, H. Wang, J. W. Huang, M. Xu and C. J. Huang, “Review WEEE Recycling Strategies and the WEEE Treatment Status in China,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 136, No. 3, 2006, pp. 502- 512. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.04.060 [12] X. W. Chi, M. Streicher-Porte, M. Y. L. Wang and M. A. Reuter, “Informal Electronic Waste Recycling: A Sector Review with Special Focus on China,” Waste Management, Vol. 31, 2011, pp. 731-742. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2010.11.006 [13] Y. P. Li and G. H. Huang, “An Interval-Based Possibilistic Programming Method for Waste Management with Cost Minimization and Environmental-Impact Abatement under Uncertainty,” Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 408, No. 20, 2010, pp. 4296-4308. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.05.038 [14] P. Costi, R. Minciardi, M. Robba, M. Rovatti and R. Sacile, “An Environmentally Sustainable Decision Model for Urban Solid Waste Management,” Waste Management, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2004, pp. 277-295. doi:10.1016/S0956-053X(03)00126-0 [15] I. Puig-Ventosa, “Charging Systems and PAYT Experiences for Waste Management in Spain,” Waste Management, Vol. 28, No. 12, 2008, pp. 2767-2771. [16] Y. H. Chang and N. B. Chang, “Optimization Analysis for the Development of Short-Team Solid Waste Management Strategies Using Presorting Process Prior to Incinerators,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 24, No. 1, 1998, pp. 7-32. doi:10.1016/S0921-3449(98)00036-6 [17] J. Li and J. H. Zhang, “Reverse Logistic Game about Obsolete Computer and the Cost-Benefit Recycling Moel,” China Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Vol. 26, No. 4, 2008, pp. 10-14 (in Chinese). [18] G. T. R. Silveira and S.-Y. Chang, “Cell Phone Recycling Experiences in the United States and potential recycling options in Brazil,” Waste Management, Vol. 30, No. 11, 2010, pp. 2278-2291. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2010.05.011 [19] Y. J. Ge, Y. Y. Jin and Y. J. Nie, “Study on the WEEE Recycling Management,” Environmental Sciences & Technology, Vol. 29, No. 3, 2006, pp. 61-63 (in Chinese).