43
example, in Japan, these items typically weigh as follows: television set (28 kg/
unit), air conditioner (43 kg/unit), refrigerator (58 kg/unit), and washing machine
(32 kg/unit). Collecting and transporting of these used appliances is certainly costly,
and their costs need to be compared with the economic benefits obtained from
recycling.
Stages of Recycling Processes of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
The above discussion suggests that the recycling processes must be studied analytically as follows (Table 3.1), taking into account the effects of recycling-related costs
as well as direct and indirect costs and benefits from the recycling.
For example, designing products using smaller amounts of metals and simple
designs may allow recycling costs to be reduced, as well as reductions in fuel costs
and the associated emissions of greenhouse gases (typically termed as “GHG”).
These cost reductions may outweigh the benefits of recovering some marketable
metals in the recycling process. Contractual arrangements between producers and
customers (consumers) might matter in order to increase the recycling rates of waste
electrical and electronic equipment. Similarly, an optimal spatial distribution of the
locations for the collecting depot points of recycled products may also facilitate
reductions in the cost of transportation.
3.2 Electronic-Waste Management in Japan
Japan was among the first countries which began Electronic-waste recycling.
Because of the rapid technological changes that took place in the areas of production and consumption of waste electrical and electronic equipment items recently
in Japan, it is of considerable academic and practical interest to study the recycling
and other activities related to waste electrical and electronic equipment in Japan.
In this section, we describe the basic legal institutions (laws) that oversee
Electronic-waste recycling activities in Japan, and then we discuss policy issues
related to them.
Table 3.1 Cost and benefit analysis of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling:
consideration of life cycle (supply chain) stages
Life cycle stages
Cost/benefit implications for recycling process Examples
(1) Design and production
stage
Amounts of metals and precious metals used (greenhouse gas
emissions/transportation costs of the collection of recycled items)
(2) Sales/marketing stage
Contractual arrangements for expected recycling activities
(how the items are to be collected when product life is over)
(3) Collection of used
products
Logistics for collection/locations for recycled products (fuel costs
of transportation)
Source: By the authors
3 An Economic Assessment of Present and Future Electronic-Waste Streams: Japan’s…
example, in Japan, these items typically weigh as follows: television set (28 kg/
unit), air conditioner (43 kg/unit), refrigerator (58 kg/unit), and washing machine
(32 kg/unit). Collecting and transporting of these used appliances is certainly costly,
and their costs need to be compared with the economic benefits obtained from
recycling.
Stages of Recycling Processes of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
The above discussion suggests that the recycling processes must be studied analytically as follows (Table 3.1), taking into account the effects of recycling-related costs
as well as direct and indirect costs and benefits from the recycling.
For example, designing products using smaller amounts of metals and simple
designs may allow recycling costs to be reduced, as well as reductions in fuel costs
and the associated emissions of greenhouse gases (typically termed as “GHG”).
These cost reductions may outweigh the benefits of recovering some marketable
metals in the recycling process. Contractual arrangements between producers and
customers (consumers) might matter in order to increase the recycling rates of waste
electrical and electronic equipment. Similarly, an optimal spatial distribution of the
locations for the collecting depot points of recycled products may also facilitate
reductions in the cost of transportation.
3.2 Electronic-Waste Management in Japan
Japan was among the first countries which began Electronic-waste recycling.
Because of the rapid technological changes that took place in the areas of production and consumption of waste electrical and electronic equipment items recently
in Japan, it is of considerable academic and practical interest to study the recycling
and other activities related to waste electrical and electronic equipment in Japan.
In this section, we describe the basic legal institutions (laws) that oversee
Electronic-waste recycling activities in Japan, and then we discuss policy issues
related to them.
Table 3.1 Cost and benefit analysis of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling:
consideration of life cycle (supply chain) stages
Life cycle stages
Cost/benefit implications for recycling process Examples
(1) Design and production
stage
Amounts of metals and precious metals used (greenhouse gas
emissions/transportation costs of the collection of recycled items)
(2) Sales/marketing stage
Contractual arrangements for expected recycling activities
(how the items are to be collected when product life is over)
(3) Collection of used
products
Logistics for collection/locations for recycled products (fuel costs
of transportation)
Source: By the authors
3 An Economic Assessment of Present and Future Electronic-Waste Streams: Japan’s…