E-waste relatedresearch at NIES

Aya YoshidaResearch Center for Material Cycle and Waste

Management, National Institute for Environmental Studies,Tsukuba, JAPAN

Email: ayoshida@nies.go.jp1

2010.7.8 UNEP-DTIE-IETCRegional Workshop onE-waste / WEEE Management

Content

Research on e-waste at NIES

Material flow analysis

Reuse/recycling

Environmental impacts

Classification of e-waste recyclingtechnology in Asia

Conclusion

2

International Material Cycle of E-waste

International Flow

Secondhand CRT TV exportin 2009

SecondhandEEE

generation

Metal scrapexport

Environmental Impact of e-wasterecycling in developing countries

Domestic MaterialFlow

Invisible flow

NIES Workshopon E-waste

（The 6th WS washeld on Dec 7,

2009）

Metal scrap

Comparison of E-wasterecycling systems indifferent countries

Japan’s Exportcontrol onSecondhand CRT TVswas implemented inJune 2009. Destinationchanged to Vietnamand Macao in 2009 toexploit weak importcontrol.

Home electric appliances are mixedwith metal scraps. Proper exportcontrol is recommended.Fire accident would generate DXNs.

Backyard recycling

010

2030

4050

60

E-waste facility

0

10

20

30

40

50

Co

ntr

ibu

tio

nto

tota

lT

EQ

(%)

Reference sites

0

10

20

30

40

50

Reference sites

0

10

20

30

40

50

TeCDDs

PeCDDs

HxCDDs

HPCDDs

OCDD

TeCDFs

PeCDFs

HxCDFs

HpCDFs

OCDF

Total non

-orth

oPCBs

Total m

ono-o

rtho

PCBs

TeBDDs

PeBDDs

HxBDDs

HpBDDs(*)

OBDD

TeBDFs

PeBDF

HxBDFs

HpBDFs

OBDF

TotalM

oBPCDDs

TotalM

oBPCDFs

Reuse conditionof exported CRTTVs from Japan.Many PWBs havebeen exported toMainland China.

Generation, import, reuse,dismantling situations in Asian

developing countries

Analyze env samplesfrom recycling sites inIndia, Vietnam andPhilippines. High-levelDXN, heavy metals havebeen confirmed.

3

4

Domestic material flow of end-of lifehome appliances of Japan in FY2005

(estimated by METI and MoE)

-Possible overestimate of generation-Not considered disposal/recoverychannels between households and offices-Gap between inflow and outflow data

Material Flow of Used PCs in Japan (2001)

Export

7.8%

Domestic disposal& recycling

66.1%

Domestic reuse

26.1%

Discard4880

After the enforcement of Business PC recycling scheme

Increased by1.0 million

units Destination isnot changed.

Manufacturers’ recycling

was added.

5

Material Flow of Used PCs in Japan (2004)

Export

26.4%

Domestic disposal& recycling

35.6%

Domestic reuse

36.5%

Discard7470

After the enforcement of Household PC recycling scheme

Increased by 2.6million units (1.6

million were laptops)

Domestic reuse andexport was increased

drastically.

Companies recognizedthat “leased/retailedPCs can be sold”.

Increased

6

Secondhand CRT-TV export from Japan

Estimated based onthe unit price

Newly-built HS-codefor Secondhand

goods

HK’s Importcontrol was

strengthened(Apr. 2006)

2006 2009

Result of the tightening ofregulations, export

destination has beenchanged (exploiting weak

import control).

1. Cooperation among Asiancountries and management ofresidues is also needed.

2. Final destinations are stillunknown.. (probably there is ademand in southern China orMideast)

Criteria for properexport of

secondhand CRT-TVs (Sep.2009)

全て

中国

越

比比

香港マカオ

2.4 million units

1.2millionunits

Mo

nth

lyE

xpo

rtam

ount

(un

it)

All

HK

Philippines

China

VietnamMacao

Announcementon HK’s

regulation inJapan

(June 2007)

7

Assessment of Environmental Impact on E-wasteSurveyed sites

•E-waste recycling sites (dismantling, shredding,open burning of Cu wires/cables•Lead acid battery recycling sites (Dismantling,smelting)•Au, Ag recovery sites （Smelting Au, Ag from E-waste)

Foreign surveys

Environmental samples：floor dust at work place,soils, residues from e-waste recycling sitesHuman samples：blood, hair, urine

Domestic surveys

模擬実験：野焼実験、基板燃焼、埋立国内調査：スクラップ火災現場調査

Laboratory experiment for modifying theinformal recycling of e-waste

Analyze dioxins fromburned materialsfrom mixed metal

scraps

Dioxin level in soils at E-waste recycling sites in India

Confirming the env. and human impacts byanalyzing organic/inorganic substances

Mechanistic analysis of generation ofchemicals

Applying simple and rapid analysismethods (ex. Dioxin bioassay)

8

E-waste sites

FacilityBack yard Ref. sites Dump sites

Environmental standardcriteria (Japan)

Monitoring standardcriteria (Japan)

US ATSDA

1.E-09

1.E-08

1.E-07

1.E-06

1.E-05

1.E-04

1.E-03

1.E-02

1.E-01

1.E+00

難燃

剤製

造

難燃

樹脂加

工

難燃

繊維加

工

製品使

用

家電解

体

家電破

砕

RD

F成

型

不燃

物破

砕

焼却

ガス化溶

融

AS

R溶

融

野外焼

却

PB

DE

s排

出係

数[g

-PB

DE

s/g-D

eB

DE

]

係数上限

代表値

係数下限

Estimation of PBDE emission factorDuring various processes

em

issi

on

fact

or

Manufa

ctu

ring

Com

po

undin

g(r

esin

s)

Addin

gto

fabrics

Pro

duct

use

Dis

mantlin

g(E

-wa

ste)

Cru

shin

g(E

-wast

e)

RD

Fpro

duction

Cru

shin

g(M

SW

)In

cinera

tion(c

ontr

olle

d)

Gasi

ficatio

n/m

elti

ng

AS

Rm

elti

ng

Open

burn

ing

MaximumRepresentativeMinimum

Estimation ofPBDE emissionfactor from openburning by lab.experiment

Classification of e-waste recycling technology in Asia(FY2009-2011)Classification of e-waste recycling technology in Asia(FY2009-2011)

Research Grant for Promotion to the Sound Material-Cycle Society from Ministry of theEnvironment of Japan

○Elaborate the material flow data, recycling technology information based on a fieldsurvey on e-waste recycling in three Asian developing countries.

○Propose necessary both “soft” and “hard” measures for environmental sound treatmentand management of e-waste.

Use Formal Recycle

InformalRecycle

Discard

②Classification ofe-waste recyclingtechnology

③Improvementstrategy and policyrecommendation

①Material flowanalysis of e-waste

Reuse

Used

Japan, Korea,other OECD.

New

Import

①Material flow analysis of e-waste・Export of used EEE from Japan andKorea・Improvement of estimation method ofused EEE generation

②Classification of e-wasterecycling technology･Collect and analyze samples fromthe environment･Evaluation of resource recovery(especially metals)･Hazardous substances emission tothe environment･Price, cost information③Improvement strategy and policyrecommendation･Poverty, work environment･Desired regulatory control system･Discover International technologicalcooperation projects

Target： WEEE(4 items), PC, CRT monitor, Mobile phone9

Informal Recycling in Vietnam

CRT tube

CRT-TV,monitor

Dismantling

Cabinet

PWBExport

Scrapping

Cables

ICs

Board Export Cu recovery

Extraction

Reuse

Crushing

Glass

Export

Metal

Separation

Export

Scrapping

Export

Burning Cu

Cu

Dumping

Properexport?

10

CRT-TV/monitor Recycling in the Philippines

CRT tube

CRT-TV,monitor

Dismantling

Cabinet

PWB Scrapping

Cables

ICs

Board Export Cu recovery

Reuse

Glass

Metal

Material recycle

Scrapping

Iron making

Burning Cu

Cu

MSW collectionInformal recycle

11

Export to KoreaCRT tube

CRT-TV,monitor Dismantling

Cabinet

PWB

Cables

Glass

Metal Iron making

Phosphor

Material recycle

Material recycle

HW disposal site

Export to Malaysia etc.

Formal recycle

Labels/Sticker/Plastics Sanitary landfill

Free of charge

NOT underBasel

Comparison of Formal/Informal

Balangai permit

Mayer’s permit

TSD permitPermit

20062003Establish year

PHP 100,000(Rent, side cars, wall, etc)

Paid-up capital by 2009

PHP 9,000,000

Investment

Cost

Capacity

Number of workers

CRT monitor PHP260CRT TV/monitorstreatment cost P30-35/kg

7t/monthDaily treatment amount (pcs)

CRT TV/monitor 10

CPU (desktop PC) 2

DVD player/ Oven toaster/ Stereo 3

Refrigerator 1

50-70t/month

488t (2007)610t (2008)

333t (2009)

425

InformalFormal TSD

Sales price of the materials recoveredfrom a 19-inch-CRT TV (weight 17kg）

2.8314.2Total

0.150.30.5Steel

0.481.20.4Aluminum

0.410.4Copper

0.30.750.4Printed circuit board(after taking off some

parts)

10.42.5Plastic

0.50.0510CRT

USDUnit price(USD/kg)

kg/Unit

Comparison of workers at formal/informal sectors in the Philippines

N= age Workperiod(years)

Educational status

Elementary/ Juniorhigh

High school/Univ. andother

TSDs 15 28.7 3.8 0 15

Junkshops 10 26.9 3.4 7 3

Smelters 7 45.1 15.8 1 6

14

15

Destination & Price of PWB

Las Pinas(informal)

Junkshop(informal)

TSD1 TSD2

Amount(t/year）

600 3.6-4.8

PriceHigh grade 200-300 15-100 150

Mid grade 80-100 10-12 30-50

Low grade 18-25 14 3-7

Destination (Parts)Bulacan(Board)China

Localrecycler（Bulacan)

Japan(underBasel)

SingaporeMalaysia etc.

Unit: Peso/kg

Informal and formal recycling processes

16

Vietnam Philippines China

Informal

Collection

Manual dismantling

Open burning torecover concentratemetals

△

De-soldering PWBs NA NA

Leaching of goldfrom PWBs

△ △

Open dumping

Export of PWBs NA

Export of CRTs NA --

Vietnam Philippines China

Formal

Collection B2B

Collection C2B -- -- △

Manual dismantling

CRT: (Semi-) automaticcrushing and separation

--

CRT: Panel/Funnnel separation -- --

CRT: glass cullet cleaning

Pyrometallurgical processing inlocal smelters

△

Hydrometallurgical processing inlocal facilities

--

Export of PWBs NA

Export of CRTs --

Disposal in general landfills

Disposal in incinerators -- 17

Problems/issues

18

Technological issueTechnological issue

１．Infrastructure (Crushing machine, ventilation system, tools…）

２．Knowledge, experiences (HW management, efficient dismantling)

Human issueHuman issue

１．Worker safety (proper clothing, mask, globe)

２．Knowledge of Hazardous substances (education)

３．Socioeconomic cause (poverty)

Institutional/ financial issueInstitutional/ financial issue

１．Comprehensive legal framework on e-waste （ex. Definition of e-waste)

２．Enforcement and compliance with general environmental regulation

３．Budget shortage, expense of treatment fee

Conclusion

19

It has been difficult to clearly link environmentalpollution with e-waste recycling activities

Burning and dismantling activities seems to be themain cause for occupational and secondary exposure.

There are not many information on precious metalextraction processes.

There are little research have done on workersrecognition levels, motivation behind their behaviors andlivelihood.

It is important to find out what makes people engage ininformal recycling or the way of choosing processes.

References

1) A. Yoshida, T. Tasaki and A. Terazono (2009) MaterialFlow Analysis of Used Personal Computers in Japan.Waste Management, 29: pp.1602-1614

2) A. Yoshida and A. Terazono (2010) Reuse ofsecondhand TVs exported from Japan to the Philippines,Waste Management, 30: pp. 1063-1072

3) A. Supulveda et al. (2010) A review of theenvironmental fate and effects of hazardous substancesreleased from electrical and electronic equipmentsduring recycling: Examples from China and India.

4) NIES, IDE-JETRO and Kyoto Univ (2010) FY 2009Report on Classification of e-waste recycling technologyin Asia ( in Japanese) 20