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E-Waste

In this section, we examine the problem of electronic waste and some solutions.

The generation of e-waste is growing rapidly with the proliferation of consumer electronics, but recycling rates are increasing slowly.

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Source: 1. Recycling rates only count formal collection, and do not count informal recycling, which can result in severe health and environmental problems.

The growth of solar panels and batteries will further contribute to the growth of e-waste as these technologies start to be decomissioned in large quantities.

Impacts

Improperly disposed e-waste causes significant harm.

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Sources: the Global E-Waste Monitor 1 and Boardman et al. 2. Health damages are assessed per-tonne for e-waste recycling in Guiyu, southern China, where standards of health and safety are not well followed. The majority of the damage is from lead exposure, with additional costs from other toxic materials in e-waste.

Lead, cadmium, mercury, and other pollutants released by improper e-waste management do substantial harm to the air and soil, but monetized damages of those are not included above.

Failing to recycle e-waste also results in the loss of valuable minerals. The value of the minerals in e-waste is estimated at $62.5 billion per year 3.

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Value of minerals in e-waste estimated by 4, 1, 5.

Recycling Options

E-waste generally costs a bit over $1000/tonne to recycle.

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Sources: 6, 5, 7, 8.

Problem:
E-Waste
Solution:
E-waste collection and processing infrastructure

As of 2018, 24 states apply extended producer responsibility, where manufacturers of certain products are required to provide for their proper disposal. The products covered vary by state. Additionally, California charges a fee, which is used to run a recycling program itself, and Colorado bans the disposal of electronic devices at solid waste landfills 9.

Solar E-waste

As more solar photovoltaics reach the end of their lives, they will significantly contribute to e-waste. The following may be expected by midcentury.

MetricValue
Average solar energy production in 2040s3950 GW 10
E-waste from retired solar PV, average per year, 2040-20504.5-5.6 million tons 10
Cost per tonne to recycle solar PV$334.80 11
Cost per kWh of panel recycling0.015-0.018 ¢/kWh

The cost of solar PV recycling might be imposed on solar PV manufacturers or utilities. The sales of recovered raw materials might offset the cost of recycling 11. The cost per kWh assesses currently existing solar panels in 2040 with the cost of recycling retiring panels, assuming a 30% (ratio of actual production to theoretical maximum production) capacity factor.

Wind Turbine Blade Disposal

About 80-85% of wind turbines can be recycled 12, but they are mostly landfilled because turbine blades are generally made of a thermoset plastic that is difficult to recycle 13. Recycling blades should require no more than 2% of the energy they create over the lifetime of the wind turbine (assuming a 30% capacity factor) 14.

Problem:
Waste From Decommissioned Wind Turbines
Solution:
Extended Producer Responsibility for Discarded Blades

References

  1. Forti, V., Baldé, C. P., Kuehr, R., Bel, G. "The Global E-waste Monitor 2020". Global E-waste Statistics Partnership, UN University, International Telecommunication Union, International Solid Waste Association. 2020. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. Boardman, A., Geng, J., Lam, B. "The Social Cost of Informal Electronic Waste Processing in Southern China". Administrative Sciences 10(1): 7. March 2020. ↩

  3. Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy, E-Waste Coalition, World Economic Forum. "A New Circular Vision for Electronics: Time for a Global Reboot". January 2019. ↩

  4. Denčić-Mihajlov, K., Krstić, M., Spasić, D. "Sensitivity Analysis as a Tool in Environmental Policy for Sustainability: The Case of Waste Recycling Projects in the Republic of Serbia". Sustainability 12(19). September 2020. ↩

  5. Mostafa, T. M., Sarhan, S. "Economic Feasibility Study of E-Waste Recycling Facility in Egypt". Joint Journal of Novel Carbon Resource Sciences & Green Asia Strategy 5(2), pp. 26-35. June 2018. ↩ ↩2

  6. Clemente, A., Franzluebbers, B., LaRochelle, B. "Cost Calculating Model for Electronic Waste Management". Worcester Polytechnic Institute. May 2012. ↩

  7. Yang, W., Sun, Q., Ni, H. "Cost-benefit analysis of metal recovery from e-waste: Implications for international policy". Waste Management 123, pp. 42-47. March 2021. ↩

  8. Zeng, X., Mathews, J. A., Li, J. "Urban Mining of E-Waste is Becoming More Cost-Effective Than Virgin Mining". Environmental Science & Technology 52(8), pp. 4835-4841. April 2018. ↩

  9. National Conference of State Legislatures. "Electronic Waste Recycling". September 2018. ↩

  10. Weckend, S., Wade, A., Heath, G. A. "End of Life Management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels". National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States), USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). August 2016. ↩ ↩2

  11. Liu, C., Zhang, Q., Wang, H. "Cost-benefit analysis of waste photovoltaic module recycling in China". Waste Management 118, pp. 491-500. December 2020. ↩ ↩2

  12. WindEurope. "Wind industry calls for Europe-wide ban on landfilling turbine blades". June 2021. ↩

  13. Gignac, J. "Wind Turbine Blades Don’t Have To End Up In Landfills". Union of Concerned Scientists. October 2020. ↩

  14. Cooperman, A., Eberle, A., Lantz, E. "Wind turbine blade material in the United States: Quantities, costs, and end-of-life options". Resources, Conservation and Recycling 168. February 2021. ↩