Managing e-waste from a closed-loop lifecycle perspective: China's challenges and fund policy redesign.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Resource Management
• Circular Economy

Background:

• Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly growing global challenge.
• China's current e-waste fund policy, based on extended producer responsibility (EPR), faces sustainability issues.
• Challenges include non-closed resource loops, informal recycling, and financial imbalances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To redesign China's EPR-based e-waste fund policy for long-term sustainability.
• To integrate a closed-loop lifecycle perspective into e-waste management.
• To ensure balanced development of resource utilization and the fund system.

Main Methods:

• Analyzing challenges in the current e-waste fund policy.
• Proposing a redesigned policy incorporating recycling content standards and consumer deposits.
• Utilizing a model with three extension scenarios to test policy impacts on sustainability.

Main Results:

• The redesigned policy aims to create a sustainable supply of funds and secondary resources.
• The study demonstrates effective solid waste management strategies for developing countries.
• The proposed adjustments address non-closed resource use and fund imbalances.

Conclusions:

• Redesigning the e-waste fund policy is crucial for sustainable resource management.
• Integrating EPR instruments like recycling standards and deposits enhances policy effectiveness.
• The proposed model offers a viable framework for developing countries managing e-waste.