20
mainly depending on labor cost. Example of calculation of this indicator has been
presented in this chapter on cooling appliances recycling for four European
countries.
Keywords E-waste · Recycling system · Waste processing · Processing line
configuration · Cost and revenues of recycling · Electrical and electronic equipment · The efficiency of recycling · Disassembly · Modular system · Shredding and
sorting
2.1 Introduction
A big variety of electrical and electronic products are commonly used worldwide.
These products at the end of life become E-waste or waste electrical and electronic
equipment (European Union 2003). They have to be properly collected and recycled. It depends on regulations in individual countries. One of the most important
issues with recycling E-waste is concerned with environmental impact hazardous
substances included in the equipment (Barba-Gutiérrez et al. 2008) and high recycling potential of each piece of waste. In many countries, waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems have been adopted (Chung and Zhang 2011;
European Commission 2012; Dwivedy and Mittal 2012). In some countries, all categories of E-waste must be collected. It is an obligation imposed by the European
Union directive or other country legislations. The main reason is the protection of
the natural environment and human health against hazardous substances. At the
same time, all E-waste can be legally collected and transferred to a recycling plant
where the materials can be recovered. Other countries have introduced selective
categories of waste electrical and electronic equipment with an obligation of a collection in the USA (Horner and Gertsakis 2006; Kahhat et al. 2008), Switzerland
(Hischier et al. 2005), Taiwan, and Japan (Lee et al. 2007; Chung and MurakamiSuzuki 2008). These wastes are characterized by a large diversity of material composition and a different approach to disassembly and recycling (Oguchi et al. 2011).
Basic issues considering recycling of E-waste should focus on the volume of the
waste stream, environmental requirements imposed by legislation, recycling plant
performance, operating costs – especially labor cost – and the ability to process
further fraction.
Figure 2.1 presents the most important issues that have to be taken into consideration when disassembling and recycling waste equipment. The legislation creates
the framework of the system operation and imposes requirements for residents, collection companies, and recycling plants. From environment point of view, it is necessary to include all the impacts on the natural environment from including potential
hazard of contamination but also a chance to recycle materials used in these products (Ikhlayel 2017). At the recycling stage, the primary goal is to disassemble waste
equipment in compliance with legislative requirements and standards (ACRR 2009;
CENELEC 2013). Therefore, the main activity at the initial stage focuses on the
P. Nowakowski
mainly depending on labor cost. Example of calculation of this indicator has been
presented in this chapter on cooling appliances recycling for four European
countries.
Keywords E-waste · Recycling system · Waste processing · Processing line
configuration · Cost and revenues of recycling · Electrical and electronic equipment · The efficiency of recycling · Disassembly · Modular system · Shredding and
sorting
2.1 Introduction
A big variety of electrical and electronic products are commonly used worldwide.
These products at the end of life become E-waste or waste electrical and electronic
equipment (European Union 2003). They have to be properly collected and recycled. It depends on regulations in individual countries. One of the most important
issues with recycling E-waste is concerned with environmental impact hazardous
substances included in the equipment (Barba-Gutiérrez et al. 2008) and high recycling potential of each piece of waste. In many countries, waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems have been adopted (Chung and Zhang 2011;
European Commission 2012; Dwivedy and Mittal 2012). In some countries, all categories of E-waste must be collected. It is an obligation imposed by the European
Union directive or other country legislations. The main reason is the protection of
the natural environment and human health against hazardous substances. At the
same time, all E-waste can be legally collected and transferred to a recycling plant
where the materials can be recovered. Other countries have introduced selective
categories of waste electrical and electronic equipment with an obligation of a collection in the USA (Horner and Gertsakis 2006; Kahhat et al. 2008), Switzerland
(Hischier et al. 2005), Taiwan, and Japan (Lee et al. 2007; Chung and MurakamiSuzuki 2008). These wastes are characterized by a large diversity of material composition and a different approach to disassembly and recycling (Oguchi et al. 2011).
Basic issues considering recycling of E-waste should focus on the volume of the
waste stream, environmental requirements imposed by legislation, recycling plant
performance, operating costs – especially labor cost – and the ability to process
further fraction.
Figure 2.1 presents the most important issues that have to be taken into consideration when disassembling and recycling waste equipment. The legislation creates
the framework of the system operation and imposes requirements for residents, collection companies, and recycling plants. From environment point of view, it is necessary to include all the impacts on the natural environment from including potential
hazard of contamination but also a chance to recycle materials used in these products (Ikhlayel 2017). At the recycling stage, the primary goal is to disassemble waste
equipment in compliance with legislative requirements and standards (ACRR 2009;
CENELEC 2013). Therefore, the main activity at the initial stage focuses on the
P. Nowakowski