Overview of Prospects in Adopting Remanufacturing of End-of-Life Electronic Products in the Developing Countries

Abstract

The useful life of consumer electronic products appears to be relatively short because of rapid changes in equipment features and capabilities, thereby leading to an increase in the generation of end-of-life electronics or electronic waste (e-waste). The present e-waste management practices have been unsustainable while posing environmental challenges. Large quantities collected in developed countries are also moved across frontiers into developing countries. Consequently, new management strategies are required to divert e-waste from landfills, check the trans-boundary movement of e-waste, and halt the adoption of inappropriate management practices in developing countries. This can be achieved by the global application of product reuse and recovery strategies. These strategies reduce the requirements for virgin materials, energy consumption, and landfill space. In this paper, we discussed the influence of product design on product end-of-life scenario and review the recovery options available for end-of-life electronics. Remanufacturing is a viable option in electronic waste management: reducing e-waste generation and increasing reuse of equipment and components. The remanufacturing operation for mobile phone was used as illustration. The prospects, challenges, and opportunities in adopting remanufacturing in developing countries were also discussed. The problems of product design and product obsolescence issues need to be addressed if a global solution to e-waste generation and management is to be found soonest. The globalization of producer responsibility is critical in achieving this.