TY - JOUR
T1 - Modeling domestic geographical transfers of toxic substances in WEEE
T2 - A case study of spent lead-acid batteries in China
AU - Tian, Xi
AU - Wu, Yufeng
AU - Qu, Shen
AU - Liang, Sai
AU - Xu, Ming
AU - Zuo, Tieyong
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2018/10/10
Y1 - 2018/10/10
N2 - This study models previously unknown domestic geographical transfers of toxic substances in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) by using the minimum distance and maximum flow (MDMF) algorithm. Using lead scrap as a typical case, the results present a complete picture of domestic geographical transfers in China: (1) the total interprovincial transfer of lead scrap is 996 k tonnes, accounting for 63% of total lead recycled; (2) lead scrap transfers between 4 pairs of provinces are more than 100 k tonnes with an average distance per k tonne of lead scrap transferred of 967 km; and (3) using outdated processing technology, national pollutant emissions of lead, CO2 and SO2 resulting from these transfers can reach 50, 497, and 105 k tonnes, respectively. In addition, if provinces recycle locally generated and imported LAB at a ratio below 1:1, or 50% imported LAB, using the advanced process, emissions can be reduced. The domestic geographical transfer model has the following advantages: (1) it is helpful for the geographic distribution and capacity planning of WEEE recycling plants; and (2) it provides a method that may be less time-consuming in estimating the external quantified environmental responsibility of the WEEE generating provinces.
AB - This study models previously unknown domestic geographical transfers of toxic substances in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) by using the minimum distance and maximum flow (MDMF) algorithm. Using lead scrap as a typical case, the results present a complete picture of domestic geographical transfers in China: (1) the total interprovincial transfer of lead scrap is 996 k tonnes, accounting for 63% of total lead recycled; (2) lead scrap transfers between 4 pairs of provinces are more than 100 k tonnes with an average distance per k tonne of lead scrap transferred of 967 km; and (3) using outdated processing technology, national pollutant emissions of lead, CO2 and SO2 resulting from these transfers can reach 50, 497, and 105 k tonnes, respectively. In addition, if provinces recycle locally generated and imported LAB at a ratio below 1:1, or 50% imported LAB, using the advanced process, emissions can be reduced. The domestic geographical transfer model has the following advantages: (1) it is helpful for the geographic distribution and capacity planning of WEEE recycling plants; and (2) it provides a method that may be less time-consuming in estimating the external quantified environmental responsibility of the WEEE generating provinces.
KW - China
KW - Lead-acid battery (LAB)
KW - Modeling geographical transfers
KW - Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053077067&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.089
DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.089
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85053077067
SN - 0959-6526
VL - 198
SP - 1559
EP - 1566
JO - Journal of Cleaner Production
JF - Journal of Cleaner Production
ER -