Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Cases
Collecting
Disassembling
Drivers
Refining
Cards
Packaging
Recycling
Incineration
Main board
Electricity
Gasoline
Electricity
Landfill
Assembly
Premanufacturing
(raw material, component
and part production)
Manufacturing
Transport
Use
Disposal
Figure 9.2 Personal Computer life-cycle assessment structure
Source: adapted from Choi et al . (2006: 123).
In their life-cycle assessment of the Personal Computer (PC) and its effective
recycling rate in Korea, Choi et al . (2006) found the pre-manufacturing stage to be
the largest contributor to all environmental impact categories, excluding those relating
to human toxicity. At this stage in the PC's life cycle, a substantial amount of
materials and energy is consumed to manufacture a range of small electric parts and
electronic components, which in turn causes significant greenhouse gas emissions,
waste water and solid waste. The disposal stage, which included collection, dis-
assembly, recycling, landfill and/or incineration, was found to be a potentially serious
contributor for human and ecological toxicity. Leakage from landfill sites was a
leading factor in human toxicity and the use of chemicals during the recycling/
refinery process was a major element in ecotoxicity - i.e. land contamination.
Based on their detailed study, the authors recommended a more environmentally
friendly PC design, which would be thinner, lighter and more energy efficient. A
greater emphasis was also placed on green supply-chain management enacted through
stricter procurement guidelines, and the urgent need to develop and implement better
recycling technologies. Product recovery was identified as key to efficient recycling,
but for this to occur in a cost-effective and efficient manner, recovery infrastructure
would need to be constructed. Many countries and regions are now doing this.
Sustainability assessments and appraisals
Cities are massive consumers of resources and many are literally getting bigger by
the day. Newman (2006) looks into reducing the ecological footprint of Sydney
by applying the more finely grained tool of sustainability assessment , which simul-
taneously considers social, economic and environmental issues, and has the potential
 
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search