SUbstance flow analysis of the recycling of small waste electrical ...

120 Substance flow analysis of the recycling of small WEEE
Subsystem Required data Uncertainty* Recommended
methods for data
collection
Comment
Reuse
Quantity of sWEEE
sent to reuse
processes
30% Compilation of data
from the reuse
industry
A computerised
system to collect and
compile the data from
all the operators of
reuse activities is
needed (quantity of the
input and destination
of all output fractions)
Reuse rates for
precious metals
(mass of PM in the
reused devices
divided by mass of
PM in input)
10% Compilation of data
from the reuse
industry
Periodical monitoring
of the destination of
the outputs
Formal
treatment
Quantity of sWEEE
sent to formal
treatment
processes
10% Compilation of data
from the recycling
industry
A computerised
system to collect and
compile the data from
all the operators of
treatment activities is
needed (quantity of the
input and destination
of all output fractions)
Recovery rates for
precious metals
(mass of recovered
PM divided by
mass of PM in
input)
Germany:
10%
USA: 20%
Experimental
monitoring of
treatment processes
Periodical monitoring
of the concentration of
precious metals in the
outputs and of the
destination of the
outputs
Informal
treatment
Quantity of sWEEE
sent to informal
treatment
processes
20% Compilation of data on
informal treatment of
WEEE gathered
through observations
of the informal sector
Research, in
cooperation with the
informal sector if
possible, to quantify
the flows and their
destination
Recovery rates for
precious metals
(mass of recovered
PM divided by
mass of PM in
input)
10% Experimental
monitoring of
treatment processes
* Variation coefficient (standard deviation divided by average)
Monitoring of the
concentration of
precious metals in the
outputs and of the
destination of the
outputs
Regarding the average concentrations of precious metals in sWEEE, a clear lack of data
could be identified. For example, no data is available on the precious metals in parts other
than printed circuit boards. More representative data are needed on concentration of
precious metals in the different equipment types (which definition needs to be standardised),
as well as on the variations of the concentrations in time and space. The extrapolation of the
uncertain data on concentration of precious metals spread uncertainties over the whole
substance flow analysis. In addition to further analyses of sWEEE by research institutions,