Development of sustainable electronic products, business models and designs using circular economy thinking

Abstract

Driven by the UN’s Sustainable Development goals, which has identified the issue of electronic waste growing significantly and the challenges of recycling/reusing electronic components, there is a need to research new possibilities in sustainable and recyclable printed electronic devices. The change in business models and industry and consumer device flows will also have implications. The circular model puts more emphasis back onto producers who have more knowledge to make an impact on the sustainable use of electronic devices than traditional waste management companies. This study, carried out in conjunction with the Arm-ECS Research Centre, explores the intersection of design and the circular economy. The paper identifies circular economy opportunities in the electronics sector via a review of both academic and grey literature and an accompanying SWOT analysis, with a focus on electronic components and the boards/packages (whole sub-systems, parts, materials) that make up electronic systems, and circular business models. Policy recommendations are provided. Challenges to be addressed and overcome in order to implement a transition to circularity for the electronics sector are identified and discussed.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Ian Williams: orcid.org/0000-0002-0121-1219

ORCID for Olanrewaju Sheriff Shittu: orcid.org/0000-0002-7494-4229

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