New Insights into Electronic Waste Recycling in Metropolitan Areas

• Published in: Journal of industrial ecology Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 940 - 950
• Main Authors: Leigh, Nancey Green, Choi, Taelim, Hoelzel, Nathanael Z.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Haven Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2012; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Business; Economic impact analysis; Electronic waste; Environment; Environmental management; Environmental regulations; Estimation; extended producer responsibility (EPR); industrial ecology; Industrial organization; Industry; input-output model; Law; Management techniques; Metropolitan areas; Recycling; Recycling centers; recycling economics; Regulation; Resource recovery; Simulation; Studies; sustainable industrial systems; U.S.A; Urban areas; urban regions; Waste management; United States > US; INE, USA, Washington, Seattle
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2012.00525.x
• ISSN: 1088-1980

Summary Electronic waste (e‐waste) recycling is a critical sector for sustainable urban industrial systems. U.S. residents and businesses generate an estimated 3.2 million tons of electronic waste each year; most is not recycled and is generated in urban areas. However, adoption of state environmental regulations for e‐waste recycling is increasing. Between 2003 and mid‐2011, 25 states passed e‐waste laws. There are a growing number of e‐waste collectors and certified processors in U.S. urban areas. While the landscape of e‐waste recycling is changing, there is little analysis on the economic impacts of this industry. The research presented here synthesizes e‐waste management policy developments and growth of the e‐waste recycling industry. We present an economic impact analysis at the metropolitan level through constructing an extended input‐output (IO) model that specifies an e‐waste recycling sector. In a case study, we examine changes in e‐waste recycling activities in the Seattle metropolitan area and provide simulation results of new regional economic impacts.