Economics of end-of-life materials recover : a study of small appliances and computer devices in Portugal
Name
959240151-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
20.19 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
4c28fe901925fc413d8bc786e2d61a49
Author(s)
Ford, Patrick (Patrick Benjamin)
Advisor(s)
Elsa Olivetti and Krystyn J. Van Vliet.
Alternative Title
Study of SACD in Portugal
Date Issued
2016
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The challenges brought on by the increasing complexity of electronic products, and the criticality of the materials these devices contain, present an opportunity for maximizing the economic and societal benefits derived from recovery and recycling. Small appliances and computer devices (SACD), including mobile phones, contain significant amounts of precious metals including gold and platinum, the present value of which should serve as a key economic driver for many recycling decisions. However, a detailed analysis is required to estimate the economic value that is unrealized by incomplete recovery of these and other materials, and to ascertain how such value could be reinvested to improve recovery processes. I present a dynamic product flow analysis (dPFA) for SACD throughout Portugal, a European Union member, including annual data detailing product sales and industrial-scale preprocessing data for recovery of specific materials from devices. I employ preprocessing facility and metals pricing data to identify losses, and develop an economic framework around the value of recycling including uncertainty. I show that significant economic losses occur during preprocessing (over $70M USD unrecovered in computers and mobile phones, 2006-2014) due to operations that fail to target high value materials, and characterize preprocessing operations according to material recovery and total costs. Finally, I present market level, operational, and policy recommendations aimed at capturing the unrecovered economic value identified in the Portuguese WEEE recycling system.
Description
Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program, 2016.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 119-126).
Subjects
Institute for Data, Systems, and Society.
Engineering Systems Division.
Technology and Policy Program.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
Technology and Policy Program
Terms of Use
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