Heavy metals in consumer electronics : a multidisciplinary appraoch

This study describes the heavy metal issues in consumer electronics recycling and a new way of solving these problems by starting a unique cooperation between designers, researchers and recycling experts of the Delft University of Technology (TUD), of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) and electronic manufacturers as well as the recycling industry. The production, use and discarding of consumer electronics contribute to the increase of heavy metals in the environment. By integral chain management the heavy metals burden for the environment can be minimized. This is only possible when there is a good synchronization and communication between product designers in the beginning and the recycling industry at the end of the product life cycle. The project concept is that—based on the possibilities of recycling—product design can be modified such that heavy metal problems can be reduced or at least controlled. This can only be achieved if scientists from different disciplinary backgrounds cooperate in a single project. By forming a team of Ph.D. students from different disciplines (chemical engineers, product designers and industrial engineers) which work together, the heavy metal problem will be tackled by a combination of prevention and end-of-pipe technologies. This will result in a better environmental performance and more economical use of resources. First experiences of this cooperation have already resulted in a new way of dealing with the separation of the different materials during the end of life phase of consumer electronics. Part of the heavy metal issues can be tackled by focusing the research on the separation and upgrading of the heavy metal containing plastics involved from a perspective of the plastic reuse and therefore not focused solely on the heavy metals separation. These experiences have shown that multidisciplinary cooperation is an excellent tool in order to foster the goals set by a sustainable development.