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The significant e-waste generation in the Americas represents an important opportunity to implement waste recovery systems under the Circular Economy model. This paper conducts an exploratory analysis about the e-waste management at different scales (economic blocs and country levels) in the American continent, emphasizing generation patterns, e-waste fluxes and the regulation frameworks in Brazil and Canada in order to identify how the e-waste management options are driven by specific legal, economic, and environmental criteria. The methodology includes a review of literature covering information and indicators for both quantitative and qualitative analysis and comparison between selected countries regarding positive and negative aspects of e-waste management systems in each jurisdiction. The finds suggest that although Brazil and Canada have differentiated scope of regulation, both ratified the Basel Convention, have an action agenda that seeks to prioritize the management of hazardous substances, as well as lack of harmonized regulation, low control of the e-waste illegal trade and traceability. The identification of e-waste flows and comparison of economic blocs and countries is a still little explored theme and emphasizes the need for adequate legal measures to implement circular economy strategies to avoid impacts and enhance the value recovery of these materials in the production chain. Doing so could support harmonized regulation, new business models and increase sustainability levels for citizens through solutions that integrate policies and practices between and within economic blocs. [Display omitted] • The Americas play an important role for the e-waste management in volume and potential trade routes. • E-waste generation and GDP are directly correlated in MERCOSUR and NAFTA countries. • USA has a different pattern from NAFTA countries and Mexico has a similar pattern to South America. • Brazil and Canada have low e-waste collection and recycling rates, besides illegal e-waste trades, even as Basel Convention parties. • Upstream impacts can be mitigated by e-waste material recovery and efficient circular flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses a two-stage stochastic model for eco-efficient reverse logistics network design (RLND). The goal of this optimization model is to maximize the expected profit and minimize landfilling activities to give more incentive for materials recycling. The model considers a source separation option that allows the separation of the collected materials at an early stage of the reverse logistics channel. The quantity of waste generated and the recycling rates at the collection centers are uncertain due to the variable quality of the collected batches. We solved the model using the combination of a Sampling Average Approximation procedure and the ε-constraint method. An application is illustrated through the case study of wood waste recycling from the construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) industry in the province of Quebec in Canada. This research reveals that the source separation strategy provides better control of the impact of uncertainties, not only for the economic performance but also from an environmental perspective. The results highlight the necessity to evaluate the interaction between environmental policies to avoid conflicting objectives. Finally, the case study demonstrates the complexity of the reverse logistics network in the CRD industry and the challenge to achieve eco-efficiency under uncertainty. • A multi-objective stochastic model for reverse logistics network design is proposed. • The impact of the uncertain quality of the recycled materials is highlighted. • The proposed model evaluates the benefits of the recycled materials source-separation. • GHG emissions accounting is performed to comply with environmental regulations. • A case study targeting the recycled wood from the CRD* industry is proposed in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]