105
warehousing and delivering processes, besides the information associated makes
possible the recycling, reconditioning and remanufacturing activities. The reverse
logistics is also recognized as an important part of the circular economy, providing
the revaluation of the electronic residues, inserting them again in a new production
process. The circular economy is based on the idea of using the waste as a raw
material in an infinite cycle. In addition, the concept of urban mining should be
highlighted due to the involved process of the extraction of precious metals and
valuable parts of electronics to recycle them, instead of extracting them from the
environment. The three concepts approached in this chapter complement each other
to provide a full solution, considering since the design of the product until the
reinsertion of the residue generated in the productive cycle again.
The main limitations of this research are related to the unavailability of data
related to E-waste management in developing countries, an issue already found in
the Global E-waste Monitor (2017) and United Nations Environment Programme
report (2009). We also must emphasize that this chapter was based on a literature
review and documental analysis and does not contain any empirical result.
However, these limitations can conduct opportunities for further research related
to E-waste reverse logistics and management. Firstly, empirical studies at national
levels in developing countries can be carried out. Secondly, studies based on
empirical results should be performed to compare the barriers and solutions in
developing countries. Thirdly, studies approaching the best practices of E-waste
reverse logistics related to developed countries, in terms of management,
technological, legal, infrastructure, financial and economic, knowledge and market,
should be used as a basis for the proposition of models to overcome barriers in
developing countries. Fourthly, studies using problem structuring and multicriteria
methods can be performed to structure and prioritize the barriers and actions to be
developed in order to overcome the barriers in developing countries.
The contributions of this chapter are twofold. First, we gathered relevant information related to recycling challenges of E-waste in developing countries, and we
categorize them in types of barriers. Second, the identification of some solutions
and actions to overcome these barriers is also performed, which can be useful for
practitioners and researchers. The managers can use this information for better
decision making, the government can develop some public policies related to
barriers and solutions pointed out, and the researchers can deepen the study related
to the gaps emphasized in this chapter.
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the National Council for Scientific and
Technological Development for their support (process number: 406263/2016-7).
References
Abdullah NAHN, Yaakub S (2015) The pressure for reverse logistics adoption among manufacturers in Malaysia. Asian J Bus Account 8(1):151–178
5 Recycling Challenges for Electronic Consumer Products to E-Waste: A Developing…
warehousing and delivering processes, besides the information associated makes
possible the recycling, reconditioning and remanufacturing activities. The reverse
logistics is also recognized as an important part of the circular economy, providing
the revaluation of the electronic residues, inserting them again in a new production
process. The circular economy is based on the idea of using the waste as a raw
material in an infinite cycle. In addition, the concept of urban mining should be
highlighted due to the involved process of the extraction of precious metals and
valuable parts of electronics to recycle them, instead of extracting them from the
environment. The three concepts approached in this chapter complement each other
to provide a full solution, considering since the design of the product until the
reinsertion of the residue generated in the productive cycle again.
The main limitations of this research are related to the unavailability of data
related to E-waste management in developing countries, an issue already found in
the Global E-waste Monitor (2017) and United Nations Environment Programme
report (2009). We also must emphasize that this chapter was based on a literature
review and documental analysis and does not contain any empirical result.
However, these limitations can conduct opportunities for further research related
to E-waste reverse logistics and management. Firstly, empirical studies at national
levels in developing countries can be carried out. Secondly, studies based on
empirical results should be performed to compare the barriers and solutions in
developing countries. Thirdly, studies approaching the best practices of E-waste
reverse logistics related to developed countries, in terms of management,
technological, legal, infrastructure, financial and economic, knowledge and market,
should be used as a basis for the proposition of models to overcome barriers in
developing countries. Fourthly, studies using problem structuring and multicriteria
methods can be performed to structure and prioritize the barriers and actions to be
developed in order to overcome the barriers in developing countries.
The contributions of this chapter are twofold. First, we gathered relevant information related to recycling challenges of E-waste in developing countries, and we
categorize them in types of barriers. Second, the identification of some solutions
and actions to overcome these barriers is also performed, which can be useful for
practitioners and researchers. The managers can use this information for better
decision making, the government can develop some public policies related to
barriers and solutions pointed out, and the researchers can deepen the study related
to the gaps emphasized in this chapter.
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the National Council for Scientific and
Technological Development for their support (process number: 406263/2016-7).
References
Abdullah NAHN, Yaakub S (2015) The pressure for reverse logistics adoption among manufacturers in Malaysia. Asian J Bus Account 8(1):151–178
5 Recycling Challenges for Electronic Consumer Products to E-Waste: A Developing…