Secondary resources and recycling in developing economies
Lakshmi Raghupathy1, Ashish Chaturvedi
1ASEM-Advisory Services in Environment Management, GIZ-Deutesche Gesellschaft Fűr International Zusammenarbeit, B5/2 Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029, India. lakshmi.raghupathy@asemindia.com
The Science of the Total Environment
|June 18, 2013
Summary
Recycling metals conserves resources and saves energy. This study proposes a sustainable model integrating informal and formal sectors for better resource recovery and economic viability in developing economies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Economics
Background:
- Metal recycling offers significant environmental and energy benefits over primary production.
- Developing economies face challenges with informal recycling practices, often neglecting occupational health and safety (OH&S).
- Increasing policy interest and large-scale enterprise involvement are shifting the recycling landscape towards better environmental management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a sustainable model for metal recycling in developing economies.
- To integrate informal and formal recycling sectors for enhanced resource recovery and economic viability.
- To augment existing practices with scientific approaches and improved technology without disrupting economic balance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lead-acid battery and e-waste recycling in India.
- Development of a model for integrating informal and formal recycling value chains.
- Application of scientific principles to improve recycling efficiency and safety.
Main Results:
- Identification of challenges in current recycling practices, particularly concerning OH&S in developing economies.
- Demonstration of the potential for integrating informal and formal sectors to improve resource recovery.
- Case studies on lead-acid batteries and e-waste in India provide a basis for a sustainable recycling model.
Conclusions:
- A sustainable recycling model requires integrating informal and formal sectors for economic viability and improved resource recovery.
- Scientific approaches and appropriate technologies are crucial for enhancing recycling practices without causing economic imbalance.
- The proposed model aims to foster a "green economy" by optimizing metal recycling in developing nations.
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