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E-waste refers to electronic products that are of no use, not working properly, and either close to or at the end of their "useful life". Companies generate large amounts of e-waste when they replace old and outdated IT hardware with new technologies. Disposing of this e-waste is not so simple, as it may contain a significant amount of intellectual property in the form of data. Timely elimination of these records and data is very crucial to secure it. E-waste cannot just be discarded due to associated data security, confidentiality, compliance and environmental risks and policies. Even after deleting data, it can still be prone to social engineering attacks by malicious individuals. Data leakage is the unauthorized transmission of data from within an organization to an external destination or recipient, and it can be transferred electronically or physically. Nowadays, protecting data is of upmost importance for organizations. However, organizations still fail at destroying confidential data from their end-of-life equipment. This article focuses on how to detect data leakage and try to find those responsible for doing so. Different Data Loss Prevention (DLP) techniques that are currently being used by many organizations are discussed and some suggestions are provided for developing more consistent DLP and overcoming the weaknesses prevalent in these techniques. Furthermore, this article discusses various algorithmic, logical, and methodological foundations and procedures followed for large-scale data disposal, determining when the life of data comes to an end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text draws on a recent work experience at the WEEE recycling centre in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, during which I wrote a series of auto-ethnographic texts. Through a performative of framing recycling work, I attempt to gain insight into the way we relate to the electronic waste we produce. I apply media-archaeological concepts to some of the work experiences I wrote about and address my findings in ecological terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study aims to investigate the moderating effect of the perceived privacy risk and the mediating role of perceived convenience on the relationship between perceived awareness and e-waste disposal behavior among smartphone users. Using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the authors have proposed that perceived awareness, convenience, and privacy risk would impact e-waste disposal behavior. An online questionnaire has been sent to Pakistani millennials using a convenience sampling method. The collected data have been analyzed with the SmartPLS 4 software using partial least squares–structural equations modeling (PLS–SEM) and a moderating effect of perceived privacy risk and a mediating effect of perceived convenience in the relationship between perceived awareness and electronic waste disposal behavior among smartphone users has been found. This study has several practical applications for nonacademics or practitioners, such as the findings could be used to prepare effective e-waste management strategies that encourage responsible disposal behavior among smartphone users in Pakistan. In addition, the results from this study could be used to raise awareness of the environmental importance of e-waste and promote information on safe disposal options that could change consumer behaviors. Smartphone companies could use this study's insights to develop more user-friendly recycling initiatives and highlight their benefits. In addition, this study's findings could be used to advise smartphone and app developers to resolve privacy concerns that are connected to data deletion during disposal. Organizations could win trust and encourage users to recycle their old devices correctly. Government officials might find this study's findings helpful when developing data privacy and e-waste management rules and regulations. The findings could be used by nongovernmental organizations to create regional e-waste collection and recycling centers. In addition, e-waste management could be incorporated into sustainability projects by companies that operate in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Electronic waste is an alarming problem faced globally in today's constantly changing world of technological innovations. The major challenge is to create various innovative and cost-effective ways for decontaminating polluted environments so that they are safe for human habitation, consumption and functioning of various ecosystems that support life. To date, for the management of e-waste no sound eco-friendly technique is available. Hence, biological approach using microorganisms is currently being applied for recovering leached metals from contaminated soil, groundwater, surface water polluted by e-waste, removing toxicity and decontamination of these abiotic components polluted due to e-waste. There are different technologies used for management of e-waste using microorganisms which include microremediation, phytoremediation and vermiremediation. Microremediation involves the use of various microorganisms, phytoremediation the use of plants and symbiotic microorganisms, whereas vermiremediation involves the use of earthworms and necessary associated microbes for e-waste management. These technologies are becoming attractive alternatives as compared to the primitive disposal technologies because they are cost effective, work at ambient temperatures, do not have any major environmental impacts, generate minimum secondary waste and have an inherently aesthetic nature. This paper summarizes the status of ewaste and its harmful effects on life as well as environment and use of innovative microbial biotechnological approaches for handling of e-waste and metal recovery thereof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study covers the concepts involved in reverse supply chain modeling using the case of a manufacturing company. The purpose of this study is to build a sustainable reverse supply chain model for resource conservation through remanufacturing of stator shafts by using a discrete-event simulation approach. The simulation studies in the reverse supply chain have taken up cases of either plastic or electronic waste remanufacturing, while very limited studies deal with simulation of sustainable reverse supply chains using a manufacturing industry case study from international customers. In this study, reverse supply chain using simulation study in manufacturing sector is carried out using Arena Rockwell simulation software. The simulation model is built using discrete-event simulation for returns from customers of two developed countries, i.e., Germany and the USA to Chennai, India. The study emphasizes full container load and less than container load modes of shipment scenarios and multiple return cases. The comparative analysis suggests that the value-added and non-value-added time of the reverse supply chain is slightly greater in the less container load scenario. The wait time per entity in remanufacturing processes similar for both shipment scenarios varies significantly based on return cases. The cost and carbon emission associated with transportation, in the reverse supply chain inclusive of social carbon cost, have also been estimated. Therefore, the study proposes a possible sustainable reverse supply chain framework that could be adopted by different manufacturing industries and yield opportunities for performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies to manage e‐waste provide multilevel governance frameworks for achieving greater material circularity. However, the roles and responsibilities that are allocated to various stakeholders under these policies, which are crucial for program effectiveness, often vary across jurisdictions, and consensus is lacking about the best types of relationships and collaboration that should govern municipalities' contributions to EPR programs. Against this backdrop, and since this issue is poorly researched, we conducted an empirical investigation to identify the main drivers and barriers influencing municipalities' collaboration with an e‐waste EPR program in a Canadian province where municipalities are free to decide whether or not to engage with the program. Based on our study, we explore policy implications for similar programs in other jurisdictions, and propose questions for further research. Our findings identify key motivations for collaboration, including perceived program legitimacy, program funding, and logistical efficiencies. Conversely, a lack of program transparency, failure to support local employment, a focus on recycling instead of reuse, and limited program scope are identified as disincentives to program participation. Policymaking for e‐waste management and circularity need to consider municipalities' interests and contributions to ensure successful implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) for valuable materials is a critical aspect of the circular economy and sustainable waste management. Recycling these solid wastes into value-added products is one method for reducing landfill waste and pollution. The purpose of this research was to investigate the recyclability of plastic wastes of Polycarbonate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene blends with Brominated Flame-Retardant additives (PC-ABS-FR). Two types of plastic wastes, PC-ABS-FR (GL) and PC-ABS-FR (DB), were collected and converted into polymer chips using a mechanical process. To study the effectiveness of waste recyclability, 3D printing filaments were produced through the extrusion process. Chemical elements, functional groups, and thermal and mechanical properties of recycled products were evaluated using EDX, FTIR, DSC, and universal tensile testing equipment, respectively. TGA, cone calorimetry, and melt flow index analyses were also carried out. The results showed that recycled PC- ABS–FR (GL) waste-based filament samples had better thermal and mechanical properties. On the contrary, PC- ABS–FR (DB) waste recyclability was not effective in filament extrusion. The mechanical properties of the 3D printing filaments produced from PC-ABS-FR electronic waste were found to be similar to those observed in commercially available and previously reported filaments. The strength, thermal property, cross-sectional homogeneity, and filament diameter of 1.8 ± 0.03 mm of the 3D printer filament made from PC- ABS–FR (GL) were suitable for 3D printing applications such as children's toys, dust bins, and flower vases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formal recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has long faced collection difficulties owing to the inadequate recycling system and insufficient collection capacity under China's fund-based recycling model. The government has introduced the recycling Target Responsibility System (TRS) to motivate producers to develop and share recycling systems, yet without clear incentive mechanisms. In this study, we provide a "1 + N" shared recycling model referring to the theory of the sharing economy, and we propose a credit mechanism with a deposit system and a penalty mechanism for dishonesty to constrain the opportunistic behavior of sharing. In addition, according to the TRS, we design a "reduction-penalty-subsidy" fund policy to incentivize producers and recyclers to achieve recycling targets. On this basis, we apply evolutionary game theory and system dynamics approach to analyze the collaborative mechanism of shared recycling and the incentive effect of the funding policy. Game analysis yields the evolution of shared recycling from the developing stage to the mature stage. The system simulation results indicate that the government's "penalty" and "subsidy" strategies provide evident incentives for producers and recyclers, respectively, in the developing stage, whereas endogenous dynamics derived from economies of scale under market mechanisms promote the multi-agent collaborative implementation of shared recycling in the mature stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the potential of using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) synthesized from e-waste as electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), with the aim of applying them as an anode in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (ADMFCs). The research addresses the pressing environmental challenge of e-waste disposal and explores the recycling of e-waste to obtain valuable materials for sustainable applications. Vulcan-supported gold nanoparticles (Aue-w/C NPs) are synthesized from gold coatings recovered from Intel Pentium 4 processor pins, demonstrating the feasibility of e-waste as electrocatalyst precursors. Comprehensive characterization techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission and transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM, TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are employed to evaluate the structural properties of the electrocatalyst. Electrochemical evaluation in 0.5 M KOH electrolyte by cyclic voltammetry reveals that the synthesized Aue-w/C NPs exhibit electrocatalytic activity (25.5 mA·mg−1Au) comparable to their commercially synthesized counterparts (30.1 mA·mg−1Au). This study highlights the potential for sustainable approaches in the production of electrocatalysts by utilizing e-waste as a source of valuable catalyst materials. It represents a pioneering effort in harnessing e-waste as a sustainable resource, offering new avenues for sustainable energy technologies while addressing environmental concerns and technological challenges in the field of ADMFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing number of IoT devices has led to more electronic waste production, which harms the environment and human health. Self-powered sensor systems are a solution, but they often use toxic materials. We propose using biocompatible peanut skin as the active material for a self-powered humidity sensor (PSP-SPHS) through integration with a peanut-skin-based triboelectric nanogenerator (PSP-TENG). The PSP-TENG was characterized electrically and showed promising results, including an open circuit voltage (162 V), short circuit current (0.2 µA), and instantaneous power (2.2 mW) at a loading resistance of 20 MΩ. Peanut skin is a great choice for the sensor due to its porous surface, large surface area, eco-friendliness, and affordability. PSP-TENG was further used as a power source for the PSP-humidity sensor. PSP-SPHS worked as a humidity-dependent resistor, whose resistance decreased with increasing relative humidity (%RH), which further resulted in decreasing voltage across the humidity sensor. This proposed PSP-SPHS exhibited a good sensitivity (0.8 V/RH%), fast response/recovery time (4/10 s), along with excellent stability and repeatability, making it a potential candidate for self-powered humidity sensor technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Integration of polylactic acid (PLA) textiles with conductive MXene holds great promise for fabricating green electronic textiles (e-textiles) and reducing the risk of electronic waste. However, constructing robust conductive networks on PLA fibers remains challenging due to the susceptibility of MXene to oxidation and the hydrophobicity of PLA fibers. Here, we demonstrate a versatile, degradable, and durable e-textile by decorating the deep eutectic solvent (DES) micro-etched PLA textile with MXene and sericin-modified carbon nanotube hybrid (MXene@SSCNT). The co-assembly of MXene with SSCNT in water not only enhanced its oxidative stability but also formed synergistic conductive networks with biomimetic leaf-like nanostructures on PLA fiber. Consequently, the MXene@SSCNT coated PLA textile (MCP-textile) exhibited high electrical conductivity (5.5 Ω·sq-1), high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency (34.20 dB over X-band), excellent electrical heating performance (66.8 ℃, 5 V), and sensitive humidity response. Importantly, the interfacial bonding between the MXene@SSCNT and fibers was significantly enhanced by DES micro-etching, resulting in superior wash durability of MCP-textile. Furthermore, the MCP-textile also showed satisfactory breathability, flame retardancy, and degradability. Given these outstanding features, MCP-textile can serve as a green and versatile e-textile with tremendous potential in EMI shielding, personal thermal management, and respiratory monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharides are functional foods or drugs that can be used to alleviate heavy metal poisoning by cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic. Industries generate substantial quantities of toxic heavy metal wastes, such as wastewater discharges, paints, electronic waste, batteries, pigments, and plastics, into the environment that pose a risk to human health. Therefore, it is imperative to eliminate accumulated heavy metal ions from the body and the environment. Heavy metal toxicity can lead to decreased energy levels and impair the functioning of vital organs, such as the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, and blood. Prolonged exposure can result in progressive physical, muscular, and neurological degeneration that resembles conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and muscular dystrophy. Polysaccharides operate through mechanisms such as chelation, antioxidant defense, immunomodulation, and tissue repair. Polysaccharides involved in heavy metal removal include methionine and cysteine, together with N-acetylcysteine, an acetylated form of cysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, a metabolite of methionine, α-lipoic acid, and the tripeptide glutathione (GSH). These compounds effectively bind with harmful heavy metals to create a stable complex and defend biological targets from metal ions, thus decreasing their harmful effects and causing them to be excreted from the body. This review also highlights the importance of polysaccharides' ability to mitigate oxidative stress, enhance immune responses, and support tissue repair processes. Polysaccharides are ubiquitous in nature and take part in diverse processes, making them potential natural therapies for heavy metal-related diseases. This review discusses the effectiveness of natural polysaccharides and the mechanisms that allow them to bind with heavy metals to alleviate their effects from the body and the environment. Polysaccharides have inherent features that enable them to function as pharmacological agents and regulate the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of sustainable development, potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination of soil and large-scale disposal of sludge are two major environmental issues that need to be addressed urgently. It is of great significance to develop efficient and green technologies to solve these problems simultaneously. This study investigated the effects of a 5% addition of thermally treated sludge residues (fermentation and pyrolysis residues) in synergy with L. perenne on soil organic matter, mineral nutrients, PTE speciation, and PTE uptake and transport by L. perenne in an e-waste-contaminated soil through pot experiments. The results showed that the thermally treated sludge residues significantly increased soil electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium contents. New PTE-containing crystalline phases were detected, and dissolved humic substances were found. Sludge fermentation residue significantly increased dissolved organic matter content, whereas sludge pyrolysis residue showed no significant effect. The combination of thermally treated sludge residues and L. perenne increased the residual fractions of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd. The thermally treated sludge residues promoted L. perenne growth, increasing fresh weight, plant height, and phosphorus and potassium uptake. The uptake of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd by L. perenne was significantly reduced. This approach has the potential for applications in the ecological restoration of e-waste-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of government ideology on e-waste recycling in 30 European countries from 2008 to 2018. This study seeks to enhance the e-waste recycling literature by introducing a novel determinant, examining the unexplored relationship between government ideology and e-waste recycling rates in European countries, thus addressing a substantial research gap. Utilizing panel quantile regression on an unbalanced dataset, the findings revealed that the increased influence of right-wing parties in government was associated with lower e-waste recycling rates. Conversely, greater influence of left-wing or center-wing parties was correlated with higher recycling rates across all quantiles analyzed. The estimation results remain robust when different indicators of government ideology were employed. Overall, the study underscores the importance of political ideology in shaping e-waste recycling policies and environmental sustainability efforts. It emphasizes that effective policies should align with the political commitment of the governing body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recycling of catalysts has emerged as a key solution to address environmental pollution and the scarcity of natural resources. This dynamic is further reinforced by the growing industrial demand for catalysts and the urgent need to transition to more sustainable production methods. In the context of chemical transformations, the direct reuse of recycled catalysts for chemical applications in particular represents an elegant route towards greener syntheses. In this article, we review recent advancements in the recycling of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts since 2020, emphasizing the utilization of waste-derived catalysts for chemical reactions. In particular, we consider three primary sources of waste: electronic waste, spent lithium-ion batteries, and industrial wastewater. For each of these waste streams, different extraction methods are explored for their effectiveness in obtaining catalysts suitable for a broad spectrum of chemical reactions. These presented studies emphasize the potential of recycled catalysts to contribute to a sustainable and waste-efficient future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evolutionary game theory is used to study the dynamic behaviors in WEEE recycling. • Combine propaganda and treatment technology investments with governance mechanism. • The government should levy a high environmental damage tax on informal recyclers. • Government subsidies can promote formal recyclers to make propaganda investments. • Informal recyclers should actively invest in processing technology. With an increase in the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), the waste of resources and environmental hazards caused by WEEE cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, the lack of environmental awareness among consumers and the existence of informal recyclers pose a great challenge to the government in governing the WEEE recycling industry. This study constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model consisting of the government and formal and informal recyclers. Then, the payoff matrix, replicator dynamic equations and all the equilibrium points are obtained, and a stability analysis of the equilibrium points is performed to derive the evolutionary stability strategies (ESSs) and their formation conditions. Finally, the influence of important parameters on the WEEE recycling industry is examined through numerical analysis. The results suggest that the government cannot ignore the existence of informal recyclers but should take governance measures to intervene in informal recycling and guide such recyclers to upgrade their processing technology. Moreover, the willingness of informal recyclers to invest in processing technology increases with the increase in environmental damage taxes. Second, the government should provide formal recyclers with appropriate promotional subsidies. Third, the government should control its own cost of governance and reduce its financial burden. Fourth, with government subsidies, formal recyclers should decide whether to make promotional investments based on the investment cost and the sum of the benefits from the investment and government subsidy. Finally, under government tax pressure and the influence of formal recyclers' promotional investments, informal recyclers should actively invest in processing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has become a critical global issue. E-commerce platforms offer new opportunities for WEEE recycling, making it a subject of interest for researchers. This study focuses on the E-commerce Closed-Loop Supply Chain (E-CLSC) WEEE recycling system, led by remanufacturers, and develops a dual-sided evolutionary game model with remanufacturers and platforms as participants. The model considers the influence of factors such as green innovation, service level, recycling price, and government subsidies. A profit matrix is constructed to analyze the strategic choices of remanufacturers and platforms. Then, this paper conducts a simulation using MATLAB, obtaining data based on the sales and recycling prices of smartphones. Based on evolutionary numerical analysis, the following findings were obtained: (1) Government subsidy policies are formulated based on the required investments for green innovation and service levels, which differ at each stage. (2) The decision of whether remanufacturers engage in green innovation depends largely on the extent to which the technology can reduce remanufacturing costs. They are more inclined to choose green innovation if it can significantly lower costs. (3) Consumer sensitivity to recycling prices also influences the strategic choices of remanufacturers. The more sensitive consumers are to prices, the more waste products remanufacturers can recycle, making green innovation more attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every ophthalmic surgical supply, including intraocular lenses (IOLs), IOL cartridges, and ophthalmic viscosurgical device syringes, is packaged with instructions for use (IFU). These pamphlets are printed in multiple languages and, in the case of an IOL, significantly increase the size and weight of the packaging. To eliminate this significant and unnecessary source of waste, we recommend that manufacturers move to Quick Response codes that link to online electronic IFU (e-IFU) as a sensible alternative. In addition to reducing carbon emissions and manufacturing costs, e-IFU can be updated more easily and accessed by surgeons in the clinic, where IOL models and powers are selected. Varying and inconsistent IFU requirements between different countries are a barrier to wider adoption of e-IFU by the ophthalmic surgical industry. Regulatory agencies in every country should allow and encourage e-IFU. This position paper has been endorsed by the 3 major societies that sponsor EyeSustain, a consortium of global societies dedicated to advancing sustainability in ophthalmology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantification has become a privileged form of knowing and vehicle of governance. Anthropological critique has demonstrated that a view of numbers as independent carriers of meaning is untenable; instead, numbers should be conceptualized as being part of relations and temporalities, opening space for shifts in understanding. Proposing the perspective of 'ecologies of quantification', we acknowledge the wider notion of ecology that accommodates materiality, cognition, and experience, and acknowledges that the constituents of the relations are always in a process of becoming. We put waste management at the centre of our interest to explore the ways quantification attempts to conquer arguably one of the unruliest domains of contemporary social life. Based on our collaborative ethnographic research on the management of municipal solid waste, discarded electrical and electronic devices, and junked cars in Czechia, we point to problems emerging when numbers become stripped of their relations. Our research sheds light on experience in the process of quantification and demonstrates that there are multiple ways to know quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cu recovery from e-waste is beneficial since it contributes the most economic value to electronic scraps (∼322,000 tons Cu available with PCB). Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, experimental data-driven Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were adopted for the prediction of Cu recovery from e-waste. These models were developed using four variables (H 2 SO 4 , H 2 O 2 , Solid/Liquid ratio, and reaction time) and validated by validation experiments. The developed RSM-based model predicts the Cu recovery with an average error of ∼10.51%, whereas the ANFIS-based model predicts the Cu recovery with an error of ∼6.03%. Higher values of R2 (0.99), F (641.59), and a lower value of P (< 0.05) were observed in the ANOVA study indicating better suitability of the model. Based on findings from the comparison, the relevant data-driven ANFIS model is used for further analysis. The 3D interactive plots have been developed to find a suitable range of input parameters to improve the recovery of Cu from e-waste. The results and findings reported in this article will be valuable to Cu recovery, e-waste management, and hazardous waste management. The proposed ANFIS model is highly efficient for effective and accurate automation at the industrial scale. Scientific communities must pay attention to the challenges raised due to surplus e-waste. E-waste is reported to be the most dangerous anthropogenic material due to hazardous chemicals and toxic metals. This article explains how e-waste can be converted into economically beneficial products. Since Cu contributes the most economic value to e-waste, its recovery can minimize its hazardous effect and promote a circular economy. Modern data-driven tools are highly efficient for accurately predicting Cu recovery. In this article, RSM and ANFIS-based prediction models have been developed with high accuracy. It was observed that ANFIS is more efficient than RSM and better for the automation of copper recovery. The results and findings reported in this article will be valuable to Cu recovery, e-waste management, and hazardous management of e-waste. The proposed data-driven approach helps to minimize the load of electronic waste and reduces a significant proportion of hazardous effects of e-waste on the environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patching is a common pavement treatment, and it is implemented using hot and cold process patching. Hot process patching is not an efficient implementation method because keeping asphalt temperature in long hauls is difficult, on-site mixing equipment is required, and transport costs are generally high. Moreover, hot process patching requires a significant amount of energy, so it is not an eco-friendly process. Although cold process patching significantly reduces the energy consumption of patching, its implementation reduces the patching quality. To this end, this study aimed to propose a new cold process patching using induction heating. Furthermore, this study attempted to apply waste materials in the proposed mixtures to preserve the environment. Accordingly, high percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) were used in the proposed mixture. Since induction heating was applied in the introduced patching method, two waste materials, including steel slag and electronic waste, were utilized in the mixtures to enhance the sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation. Moreover, different experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the mixtures' mechanical properties. Ultimately, gray relational analysis was performed to assess the proposed mixtures' sustainability. The results indicated that using steel slag and electronic waste as conductive materials could considerably reduce the heating time to raise the fabricated mixtures' temperature. Moreover, replacing the Neat mixture with the proposed asphalt mixtures containing the waste materials significantly reduced the unit price, greenhouse gas emission, energy consumption, and raw material utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The winning of critical raw materials from secondary resources, e.g., from abandoned mines, mining residues, electronic waste or low-grade ores, is a potential source with promising outcomes due to innovative and more efficient extraction methods. The research and education mine "Reiche Zeche" at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany offers a scientific lab in a real application environment for an in-situ bioleaching section from a low-grade sulfide ore vein with on-site associated membrane downstream processing. The evaluation and resumption of previous research activities showed both the feasibility and the potential for further up-scaling. But there was also potential evaluated for improving the effectiveness, especially in terms of individual process elements within the leaching and membrane cycle as well as regarding microbiology. Based on this, further optimization was carried out and effectiveness was evaluated and compared to the prior state. The results regarding the leaching outcome proved that process optimization leads to stable and continuous leaching process operations as well as to improved and more favorable conditions for the microorganisms due to the implementation of a bioreactor and changing the whole leaching operation from a direct into an indirect process. Furthermore, cleaning in place (CIP) resulted in the maintenance of selectivity despite discontinuous membrane process operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the growing global increase in electronic and electrical waste (e‐waste), significant challenges arise regarding the proper disposal of electronic devices. One potential solution that has gained attention is the development of disposable electronics, in which all components are designed to be for safe and environmentally friendly disposal. In this study, all‐carbon‐based complementary integrated circuits composed of printed single‐crystalline thin films of p‐ and n‐type organic semiconductors, graphite‐based carbon electrodes/wiring, and polymeric dielectrics/substrates are demonstrated. Elemental analysis reveals that the total amount of metallic element contaminants weighed <50 parts per million (ppm). The demonstrated analog/digital integrated circuits with 64 p‐ and n‐type organic thin‐film transistors exhibit stable operation under ambient environmental conditions. These all‐carbon‐based complementary integrated circuits possess excellent element traceability, thus mitigating the potential environmental impacts throughout the device's life cycle. Consequently, this advancement represents a significant step toward addressing the global environmental challenges associated with e‐waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia occupies a strategic location in Southeast Asia, divided between two regions - Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. The total area of the country is about 330,803 Km², located between 3 10 N, 101 42. Uncontrolled disposal of electronic waste can be harmful to human health and the environment because electronic waste contains toxic substances and heavy metals. However, if waste is managed properly, it can become a business opportunity that produces high returns because e-waste also contains valuable materials, such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium. There are problems faced by recovery facilities in achieving the goal of converting e-waste into source material. Issues include the supply of e-waste, the importation and coding of e-waste derived products, and finally the need to develop standards for e-waste treatment technologies to ensure the safety and sustainability of facilities. The issue of electronic waste is becoming an increasingly serious problem because it contains many toxic substances that can seriously harm humans and the environment. This problem is expected to worsen if serious efforts are not made to manage this electronic waste. The current study is an attempt to reduce the risks and solve the problems of electronic waste. For this purpose, use different tools such as LCA, MFA, MCA and EPR. On top of all that, no matter how well the policies are introduced and implemented, the key to success in terms of e-waste management in Malaysia is to develop environmentally designed devices, to properly collect e-waste, recover and recycle materials in safe ways, and dispose of e-waste with appropriate techniques, Preventing the transportation of used electronic waste. Electronic devices to developing countries, raising awareness of the impact of e-waste pollution on both users and manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing type of solid waste stream with increasing environmental concern. Fortunately, the presence of valuable metals in the e-waste make its recycling a feasible option. The black copper processing route is one of the most suitable for e-waste recycling. The slag-cleaning part of the process is important in separating certain metals like Sn from the generated slag. In this work, a synthetic e-waste slag was used in reduction experiments to obtain a better understanding of Cu, Ni, Sn, and Pb distribution in the metallic and slag phases in a slag-cleaning unit. Two master slags were synthesized: SiO2-Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3 and SiO2-Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3-Na2O. The master slags were doped with oxides of Cu, Ni, Sn, and Pb followed by the reduction experiments. The experimental conditions were highly reductive, resulting in the metals being highly distributed to the metallic phase. Amounts of < 2% Cu and Ni remained in the slag of the Na-free slag, while up to 6% Cu and 21% Ni remained in the Na-containing slag. High material loss was also observed, which was attributed to the volatilization of Pb and Sn. The material loss of Pb was significant, in the range 62–78%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth is a crucial mineral resource that has significant applications in the electronic device industry. In recent years, with the continuous improvement and updating of various electronic devices, electric vehicles have been promoted globally. The excellent properties of rare earth fluorescent materials have made rare earth-containing electronic devices widely used in civil transportation, communication and other fields. However, the global consumption of electronic devices is enormous, and their lifespan is limited, which has led to an annual increase in the production of electronic waste worldwide. How to recycle the rare earth elements contained in them is receiving increasing attention. At present, research on the recovery of rare earth elements from electronic waste mainly focuses on the recovery of neodymium iron boron magnets and rare earth fluorescent powders. This article summarizes the main application pathways of rare earth elements in electronic equipment as well as the research status and technological development trend of recovering rare earth elements from electronic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims (1) to evaluate material flows in the manufacturing process reflecting the level of circular manufacturing of European Union countries and (2) to estimate the relationship between the level of circular manufacturing and the volume of e-waste put on the market, illustrating the implementation effect of Industry 5.0 technologies. A systematic country classification was created according to development conditions for environmentally sustainable enterprises and trends in e-waste volumes. Multidimensional data analysis and the linear ordering method were used to achieve the research objectives. The dynamics of changes in the identified variables were analysed using dynamics indexes and the average annual rate of change. Relationships were estimated using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient. The main research result is the estimated synthetic development measure illustrating the level of circular manufacturing in the context of material flows. Significant differences were observed between the synthetic development measure values representing the level of circular manufacturing in European Union countries. This means countries' circular manufacturing levels are significantly higher than others. Moreover, the values of correlation coefficients were estimated between the level of circular manufacturing and the volume of e-waste put on the market and between the average annual rate of change of the synthetic development measure and the average annual rate of change of the e-waste volume. The coefficient values do not confirm a statistically significant relationship between the indicated variables. Most countries have average conditions for developing environmentally sustainable businesses, but at the same time, they show negative trends in the volume of e-waste generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longer battery life is a highly sought-after feature for most smartphone users when considering their next device. However, with the emergence of new hardware technology and software applications that require heavy processing, the demand for battery power has significantly increased. Unfortunately, the development of battery technology has not kept up with the rapid advancements in smartphone hardware and software, which rely heavily on battery power. To address this issue, several approaches have been proposed to regulate battery consumption and the charging process on smartphones. In this paper, we summarize the different approaches related to this problem that managed to achieve up to a 61% increase in battery daily usage in simulation testing, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and current challenges. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive review of various open-source datasets that have the potential to be used in developing new approaches to improve battery drainage and degradation in smartphones. We also discuss the methodology for collecting each dataset. Finally, we propose a new approach to address the current limitations and challenges to solving the problem of battery drainage and degradation that could be developed using the currently available datasets. These new approaches may involve incorporating Machine Learning (ML) techniques to predict battery charging patterns and minimize battery drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a valuable secondary source of metals, including precious metals (PMs), surpassing those found in natural ores. The objective of this study is to explore the use of cellulose-based adsorbents, specifically dithiocarbamate-modified cellulose (DMC) and proline-incorporated DMC with epoxy-cross-linkage (DMC-Pro-Epo6), in the recovery of Au from e-waste, particularly under harsh aqua regia (AR) conditions. DMC adsorption behavior in AR is influenced by several factors, such as AR dilution, pre-adsorption phenomena, contact time, and AuIII concentration. DMCs displayed competitive adsorption across varied AR dilutions, benefiting from diluted AR due to hindered adsorption in undiluted AR. Contact time analysis demonstrated rapid AuIII adsorption, with equilibrium achieved in approximately 30 min. Four anion exchange-type commercial resins (Lewatit MonoPlus TP 214, Diaion WA30, Dowex 1X8, and AmberChrom 1X8) and one chelating CR (Q-10R) were tested for comparison, and their adsorption capacities were evaluated. Both the DMC and DMC-Pro-Epo6 have higher adsorption capacities for AuIII than commercial resins, which can be attributed to their sorption-active dithiocarbamate functional groups. The study also outlined a step-by-step Au extraction from printed circuit boards (PCBs), and the effective recovery of metallic Au from PCBs using DMCs was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the first to study a nexus between financialization and circularity performance in the European region. To reflect the circularity performance, we use six different measures, including the amount of municipal waste, the number of circularity patents, the amount of circular material used, the rate of recycling waste, the rate of recycling biowaste, and the rate of recycling e-waste. By using various econometric techniques (namely a panel-corrected standard errors [PCSE] model, a feasible generalized least square estimates [FGLS] model, and the two-step General Method of Moment [the two-step GMM), our study indicates that financialization is an enabler for circularity. However, these results are only statistically significant for the financial institution's development, while the financial market has a positive yet insignificant impact on circularity performance. The development of the financial institution is reported to increase municipal waste and the amount of recycling biowaste and e-waste, thus promoting the path toward the circular economy. To shed light on the financialization-circularity nexus, we use the different dimensions of financialization dynamics and report heterogeneous influences on the different issues of circularity performance. Furthermore, the results from the dynamic fixed effects (DFE) in the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method suggest that the impact of financial development only becomes apparent in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the requirements of green, efficient and low-energy separation and recovery of rare and precious metals in E-waste, a gas-solid separation model of E-waste particles was established by using CPFD (Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics) and Barracuda gas-solid coupling simulation analysis software. Due to the poor separation effect of rare and precious metal particles in E-waste caused by primary air flow, the particle mixing degree is high, and the grade and recovery of rare and precious metal particles are low. On the basis of primary air flow, secondary air flow is introduced to realize the secondary gradient separation of E-waste particles in the vertical direction. The migration trajectory and migration law of different particle flows and the separation characteristics of rare and precious metal particles in electronic waste under the action of two airflows were simulated. The separation efficiency of rare and precious metal particles in electronic waste, including grade and recovery, was discussed under two airflow parameters, material falling flow rate and particle size. The results show that the multi-density dry separation model can effectively enrich the rare and precious metal particles in E-waste. The falling flow rate and particle size of E-waste particles have significant effects on the separation of rare and precious metals. When the airflow velocity of the primary air inlet is 3.8 m/s, the airflow velocity of the secondary air inlet is 4.6 m/s, the width of the feed opening is 4 mm, the width of the two airflow openings is 35 mm, and the particle size is 75-100 µm, the grade and recovery of Au can reach 87.1% and 99.1%. The grade of Cu is 70.8%, the recovery is 85.8 %, and the enrichment ratio is 35.4. It shows that under the combined action of primary air flow and secondary air flow, changing the inlet flow of E-waste particles and controlling the particle size of particles can effectively improve the grade and recovery of rare and precious metals in E-waste, and provide reference for multi-density multi-gradient and high-precision dry separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unwanted USB cables are an emergent type of electronic waste (or e‐waste) that is overlooked in Hong Kong. To address this issue, an action research project, "Off‐lines", is launched to investigate people's knowledge and awareness of USB cable e‐waste and take initiatives to raise public awareness of its proper disposal. From February to May 2022, the study conducted a questionnaire survey and received 457 valid responses. The results revealed that each respondent has an average of nine unused USB cables and, based on this finding, it is estimated that there are 57.7 million excessive USB cables in Hong Kong. Such excessive ownership can be driven by the fact that ≈70% of respondents are unaware of the recyclability of USB cables, and the knowledge of USB cable recyclability varies depending on age, income level, and awareness of recycling locations. To resolve the problem, 150 collection points are established throughout Hong Kong and successfully collected over 7 700 unwanted USB cables from the public. Additionally, workshops are conducted that raised public awareness by upcycling this emergent e‐waste. This project highlights the urgent need to expand waste collection, promotion, and educational networks, with a particular focus on the elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: India generates around two million tonnes of e-waste every year, and it is increasing at a very high rate of 30%. However, due to inefficient handling of infrastructure and limited number of collection centres along with the absence of proper incentive structure for producer and recyclers, 95% of e-waste reaches to unorganized sector for disposal. Consumers are not aware of the need of proper e-waste disposal and in absence of proper motivation and they are not inclined towards recycling process. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the best practices of e-waste take adopted all over the world to implement effective policy interventions for e-waste management in India and other emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach: This paper has recommended preventive as well as curative policy interventions on the basis of best e-waste management practices of Germany, Italy and Japan; life cycle assessment of e-waste; and SWOT analysis of Indian electronic product industry. Findings: Preventive measures include a deposit refund scheme wherein a consumer will be responsible for depositing a refundable fees during the purchase of the product. The amount should be arrived at keeping in mind cost involved in handling e-waste and ensure some motivation for the consumers to give back used product. To ensure proper tracking of the product, Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags can be used which will be activated at the time of sale of product and remain so until product reaches some designated recycling space or recycler and consumer is returned back his deposit fee. Subsidy to the producers and recyclers can also be provided by the government to further incentivize the whole process. An example of mobile phones has been used to understand the proposed deposit fees and associated cost structure. Curative measures to reduce the generation of e-waste in long run for managing the discussed issue have also been proposed. Originality/value: This study is an initiative for proposing and implementing best e-waste take back techniques in a developing economy like India by acquiring learnings from best/advanced economies in terms of e-waste take back. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste from electrical and electronic equipment exponentially increased due to the innovation and the ever-increasing demand for electronic products in our life. The quantities of electronic waste (e-waste) produced are expected to reach 44.4 million metric tons over the next five years. Consequently, the global market for electronics recycling is expected to reach $65.8 billion by 2026. However, electronic waste management in developing countries is not appropriately handled, as only 17.4% has been collected and recycled. The inadequate electronic waste treatment causes significant environmental and health issues and a systematic depletion of natural resources in secondary material recycling and extracting valuable materials. Electronic waste contains numerous valuable materials that can be recovered and reused to create renewable energy technologies to overcome the shortage of raw materials and the adverse effects of using non-renewable energy resources. Several approaches were devoted to mitigate the impact of climate change. The cooperate social responsibilities supported integrating informal collection and recycling agencies into a well-structured management program. Moreover, the emission reductions resulting from recycling and proper management systems significantly impact climate change solutions. This emission reduction will create a channel in carbon market mechanisms by trading the CO2 emission reductions. This review provides an up-to-date overview and discussion of the different categories of electronic waste, the recycling methods, and the use of high recycled value-added (HAV) materials from various e-waste components in green renewable energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emission of airborne particulate matter is produced by the industrial processes of metal extraction from electronic waste (e‐waste). These aerosols can transport organic contaminants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated biphenyls. These pollutants are proven to have long‐term effects on workers' health. In this work, we characterize aerosol particles and dust deposited from a recycling process of printed circuit boards in a recycling plant. This study also explores the significance of the secondary aerosol sources, and their importance, as an additional burden compared to primary sources. A Scanning Mobility Particles Counter and Sizer (SMPCS) was used to measure the size distributions of ultrafine particles. A Micro‐Orifice Uniform Deposition Impactor (MOUDI) collected aerosol particle samples for chemical analysis. All plant compartments checked are subject to high particulate matter concentrations during work hours. Concentrations of organic pollutants in the machinery compartments do not pose a short or long‐term health risk according to US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA). The application of the model presented in this work revealed that the accumulation of contaminants in other compartments should be considered in an occupational exposure assessment because it can present an equally important burden to workers' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium, the essential toxin, is an indispensable nutrient for many organisms but quickly becomes a significant environmental concern at slightly higher concentrations, particularly in aquatic environments. Water treatment technologies have been developed over decades for industrial Se removal, but invariably result in Se-laden residuals. These Se-laden residuals represent a significant environmental liability and require careful management, which in turn represents a real, but often overlooked, operating cost. Conversely, Se sees commercial use across many industries and may be considered a vulnerable element in that its economic importance far outweighs its global supply chain stability. Thus, the recovery of Se from non-conventional sources, including solid (electronic waste) and water-based sources (mine tailings, leachates, flue gas desulphurization water, agricultural waste) is desirable. Industrial wastewater represents a unique opportunity to pair wastewater treatment techniques with resource recovery towards circular economy principles. This review highlights conventional and emerging uses of Se, along with an overview of its current supply, and potential sources. Next, a summary of existing and emerging wastewater treatment technologies for Se removal from industrial wastewater streams is provided. Finally, this review also includes progress and developments towards Se recovery from the same industrial wastewater streams, with a focus on integrating Se wastewater treatment and Se recovery towards a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of electronic waste (e-waste) has reached alarming levels globally, posing significant environmental, economic, and health risks. This review paper comprehensively analyzes the challenges, impacts, and potential solutions associated with e-waste management in developing nations. It highlights the urgent need for proper regulations, infrastructure development, and public awareness to address the growing problem of e-waste. The paper identifies gaps in current research, such as the lack of concrete recommendations and practical solutions, and aims to provide a foundation for future studies to propose strategies for improving e-waste management practices. The findings emphasize the environmental effects of e-waste and the negative consequences on disadvantaged communities, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Furthermore, the review highlights the importance of transitioning to a circular economy and the economic opportunities presented by e-waste, which contains valuable metals that can be recovered and recycled. The paper calls for the formulation of specific policies focusing on the 3Rs (Reduction, Reuse, and Recycle) and the implementation of provisions such as pollution taxes to reduce e-waste and promote responsible consumption. By addressing these challenges and offering sustainable solutions, effective e-waste management can mitigate environmental risks, protect human health, and contribute to a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batteries as a power source are the basis for all major hand tool manufacturers as vide variety of portable products became battery powered for more convenient usage. Manufacturers disable unapproved battery applications in their products by designing batteries specific for these products. In practice, the life of power tool batteries depends on two parameters: natural aging and the type of use. In a case study of a Battery Powered Grass Trimmer which battery broke after four years, the repair procedure for the package is shown. However, shortly after the repair, the Battery Powered Grass Trimmer suffered a bearing deformation that rendered it unusable. Due to its age and the unavailability of replacing electric engine, the Trimmer was scrapped and a detailed Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) applying SimaPro methodology is provided. Since the product under study is no longer on the market, a properly functioning, refurbished battery with significantly increased capacity is used in a new battery-powered grass trimmer from another manufacturer. The paper's final consideration underscores the need for an international standard that regulates battery compatibility and reduces waste, especially electronic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing concern about plastic disposal and its impact on the environment has led to the necessity to reuse these materials, completing their life cycle within the circular economy mentality: production, use, recycling, and reuse. One of the residues that has caused great concern is the so-called waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The reintroduction of a recycled material back into the market requires some type of modification since the recycling process lightly alters the general properties of those materials. In this work, we studied the recycling of ABS—one of the polymers most found in waste electrical and electronic equipment—and its modification through commercial titanium dioxide (TiO2) and modified with peroxide groups (TiO2–OPM). The TiO2–OPM have interesting electrical properties due to their lower band gap values, which results in them being good candidates for the modification of recycled polymers for WEEE applications. For this, different percentages of particles were incorporated into ABS from the electro-electronic industry. Aspects of degradation, rheology, and antistatic were analyzed. A good interaction between the particle and polymer is observed, especially for those modified with the peroxo group. Nevertheless, it is observed that this modification promotes a reduction in the initiation of exothermic reactions for the butadiene phase, which seems to be a positive aspect because it preserves the acrylonitrile-styrene phase. The interaction is observed rheologically, indicating the formation of a percolated network that favors antistatic characteristics, even with a reduced amount of TiO2-OPM. This work presents a framework for the development of more sustainable materials with concepts of a circular production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphones are electronic devices increasingly used by Brazilian society in recent years. With the advancement of technology, the consequence is an increase in the disposal of this equipment in a shorter period of time. On the other hand, there are elements such as copper, gold and others can be recycled. Thus, the aim of the study was to employ mechanical processing techniques on smartphone printed circuit boards (PCB) in order to concentrate metals, especially copper, and identify the main elements concentrated in each process. For this purpose, 87 smartphones were collected and disassembled, after a mass balance, the PCB were comminuted and separated into 4 particle size ranges. Through chemical characterization, it is possible to verify a variation in the composition, according to the granulometry. With magnetic separation, iron contents of 9% to 34% were obtained, increasing the concentration proportionally to the increase in granulometry. The non-magnetic fraction went through the electrostatic separation process, in which conductive fractions of up to 52% copper were generated. It can be concluded that mechanical processing techniques are efficient for concentration of metals and alloys, especially copper, and, therefore, can bring economic and environmental benefits.

Abstract Direct disposal of used soft electronics into the environment can cause severe pollution to the ecosystem due to the inability of most inorganic materials and synthetic polymers to biodegrade. Additionally, the loss of the noble metals that are commonly used in soft electronics leads to a waste of scarce resources. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop “green” and sustainable soft electronics based on eco‐friendly manufacturing that may be recycled or biodegraded after the devices’ end of life. Here an approach to fabricating sustainable soft electronics is demonstrated where the expensive functional materials can be recycled and the soft substrate can be biodegradable. A stretchable agarose/glycerol gel film is used as the substrate, and silver nanowires (AgNWs) are printed on the film to fabricate the soft electronic circuits. The mechanical and chemical properties of the agarose/glycerol gel films are characterized, and the functionality of the printed AgNW electrodes for electrophysiological sensors is demonstrated. The demonstration of the biodegradability of the agarose/glycerol and the recyclability of AgNWs points toward ways to develop sustainable and eco‐friendly soft electronics.

In today's world, the utilization of electronic devices, particularly mobile phones, has seen a remarkable surge and they are a valuable source of recovery of precious metals. The current study reports on the physical and chemical processing of mobile phone waste into leachate, followed by recovery of precious metals, using ionic liquid functionalized activated carbon (ACF). The recovery process was explored both in batch and column study. The presence of base metals in the final leachate was minimized by employing multi-stage chemical leaching, leading to a more efficient purification process. Moreover, adjustment of HCl concentration in the leachate leads to decreased in other metals interference during adsorption. Following the batch adsorption results, a favorable interaction between IL and metal complexes leads to a quantitative adsorption of the precious metals. In addition, ACF also gave an excellent performance in the column adsorption process with the high bed depth and low flow rate of the leachate as the influential parameter. An increase in the bed depth and a decrease in leachate flow rate proportionally increases the values of kTh (rate constant), qe (adsorption capacity), and KYN (rate constant) and positively increases the 50% breakthrough time (τ). Moreover, the final purification of the adsorbed metals was performed selectively through sequential desorption, employing Na2S2O3, NH4SCN, and HNO3 solutions. Finally, the adsorption capability of ACF shown a negligible change after five repetitive adsorption-desorption cycles. Thus, the current study presents a method to process mobile phone waste and selectively recover the precious metals from the leachate.