E-waste management and sustainability: a case study in Brazil
Luís Peres Azevedo1, Fernando Gabriel da Silva Araújo2, Carlos Alberto Ferreira Lagarinhos3
1Materials Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Pça. Tiradentes, 30, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil. lperes.azevedo@gmail.com.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|September 21, 2017
Summary
Growing electronic waste (e-waste) requires effective disposal. This study analyzes the sustainability, costs, and financial gains of Brazil
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
- Economics
Background:
- Rapid technological advancement leads to increased electronic waste (e-waste) due to shorter product lifecycles and easier acquisition of new devices.
- A significant gap exists in consumer awareness regarding the proper use, handling, storage, and disposal of electronic equipment.
- Brazil's National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12305) mandates manufacturers and importers to implement reverse logistics for e-waste, but its practical application remains undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the economic sustainability of the reverse logistics system for e-waste as mandated by Brazilian legislation.
- To analyze the costs associated with e-waste management and recycling.
- To assess the potential financial gains derived from recycling e-waste within the proposed framework.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the sustainability of the legislative framework for e-waste reverse logistics in Brazil.
- Cost-benefit analysis of implementing and managing e-waste recycling programs.
- Evaluation of the financial viability of recycling initiatives for electronic waste.
Main Results:
- The study verifies the sustainability of the proposed reverse logistics for e-waste.
- The research evaluates the costs involved in managing and recycling e-waste.
- Potential financial gains from recycling e-waste are identified.
Conclusions:
- The management of reverse logistics and recycling of e-waste in Brazil will be overseen by a collective organization formed by manufacturers and importers.
- The findings support the legislative framework for e-waste management, highlighting both costs and potential financial benefits.
- Effective implementation of reverse logistics is crucial for sustainable e-waste management.
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