{"title":"Analyzing network flows of used EEE and e-waste with platform data: Adding reuse into the EPR system for WEEE recycling in China","authors":"Tao Wang, Xin Tong, Jinling Li, Xuejun Wang","doi":"10.1111/jiec.13519","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>China has established a nationwide formal e-waste disassembly system based on the extended producer responsibility principle. However, the system mainly focuses on material recycling while excluding the reuse of used electrical and electronic equipment (used EEE) due to the complexity of flows and transactions during the reuse stage. Recently, emerging online platforms have played an increasingly crucial role in the value chain of reuse and recycling, significantly improving the visibility of flows in these activities. This paper aims to depict the spatial structure of the used EEE and e-waste flow networks using a multi-scale analysis framework. Using spatial analysis tools in complex network analysis, we characterize cross-city reuse flows in China. A clear regional pattern of a hierarchical reuse network of notable regional hubs in certain regions in China is revealed in this analysis. The role of regulation is demonstrated in the comparison of the spatial flows in reuse and recycling. In conclusion, it is proposed that reuse should be included and emphasized in the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in China to maximize the value of circularity.</p>","PeriodicalId":16050,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Industrial Ecology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Industrial Ecology","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jiec.13519","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
China has established a nationwide formal e-waste disassembly system based on the extended producer responsibility principle. However, the system mainly focuses on material recycling while excluding the reuse of used electrical and electronic equipment (used EEE) due to the complexity of flows and transactions during the reuse stage. Recently, emerging online platforms have played an increasingly crucial role in the value chain of reuse and recycling, significantly improving the visibility of flows in these activities. This paper aims to depict the spatial structure of the used EEE and e-waste flow networks using a multi-scale analysis framework. Using spatial analysis tools in complex network analysis, we characterize cross-city reuse flows in China. A clear regional pattern of a hierarchical reuse network of notable regional hubs in certain regions in China is revealed in this analysis. The role of regulation is demonstrated in the comparison of the spatial flows in reuse and recycling. In conclusion, it is proposed that reuse should be included and emphasized in the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in China to maximize the value of circularity.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Industrial Ecology addresses a series of related topics:
material and energy flows studies (''industrial metabolism'')
technological change
dematerialization and decarbonization
life cycle planning, design and assessment
design for the environment
extended producer responsibility (''product stewardship'')
eco-industrial parks (''industrial symbiosis'')
product-oriented environmental policy
eco-efficiency
Journal of Industrial Ecology is open to and encourages submissions that are interdisciplinary in approach. In addition to more formal academic papers, the journal seeks to provide a forum for continuing exchange of information and opinions through contributions from scholars, environmental managers, policymakers, advocates and others involved in environmental science, management and policy.