Assessment of smartphones’ components and materials for a recycling perspective: tendencies of composition and target elements

Although several recycling solutions are already being applied for electronic scraps, the seek for more efficient routes is a hotspot in research, and crucial to achieve the so needed circular economy. This study is the first step of a project that aims to develop recycling solutions for entire smar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of material cycles and waste management 2024-05, Vol.26 (3), p.1379-1393
Main Authors: Cenci, Marcelo Pilotto, Eidelwein, Estela Moschetta, Scarazzato, Tatiana, Veit, Hugo Marcelo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Circular economy
Civil Engineering
Composition
Copper
Economics
Engineering
Environmental Management
Gold
Mathematical analysis
Metals
Original Article
Palladium
Parameters
Polymers
Recycling
Smartphones
Waste Management/Waste Technology
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Summary:Although several recycling solutions are already being applied for electronic scraps, the seek for more efficient routes is a hotspot in research, and crucial to achieve the so needed circular economy. This study is the first step of a project that aims to develop recycling solutions for entire smartphones. A comprehensive characterization of all smartphones’ components and a definition of the main material targets for recovery are provided. Characterization included 30 devices of different brands fabricated before and after 2015, analysis of 50 metal elements, and FTIR analysis and loss on ignition for polymers. Significant information about tendencies of composition and distribution of materials were noted, such as the increasing in concentration of Al, and the decreasing in precious metals. The definition of material targets included parameters of mass fraction, economic potential, scarcity, and associated environmental burden (values are given for each material in all components). At the end, Cu, Al, Au, Pd, Co, and Li were found the most relevant elements for recovering. By addressing these elements (73% of the total mass of metals), 99% of the total economic potential could be recovered, as well as 90 and 97% of the calculated scarcity and environmental burden parameters, respectively.
ISSN:1438-4957
1611-8227
DOI:10.1007/s10163-024-01896-9