• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

i University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Engineering and Surveying Recycling of Used Electronics in Singapore A dissertation submitted by Tan Heng Tsin Stanley in fulfilment of the requirements of Courses ENG4111 and 4112 Research Project towards the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics) Submitted: November, 2007 ii Abstract Electronic waste is easily generated as people increasingly use electronic and electrical equipment in the daily life. Technology advances rapidly and this caused the life span of electronic products to become increasingly shorter. As a result, electronic wastes are rapidly generated in our industry and society. Electronic waste buried in landfills will cause toxins to leach into the environment. If they are incinerated, they produce noxious gases. In both ways, they pollute the environment and pose serious health threats to humans and also harm the wildlife. It will only be sustainable if electronic wastes are recycled. This research project was carried out to assess the problem of recycling of used electronics in Singapore and the related environmental concerns. The harmful effects of electronic wastes as well as the relating problems in other countries are observed. An understanding is also made on the benefits of recycling of electronic wastes as well. Related authorities’ and recycling company’s information are reviewed to understand the generation, the disposal, the collection and the recycling of used electronics in the country. In an attempt to identify better solutions which could be effective to address the used electronics problems in Singapore, information is researched on global recycling of electronic waste. Case studies were conducted to understand the management used in handling of used electronics in the companies. This provided a chance to observe the practices and subsequently identification of problems in a company. A survey of consumers was carried out to understand their attitudes and behaviours. This helped to identify the problems faced in the community to which used electronics were not actively recycled. iii University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Engineering and Surveying ENG4111 Research Project Part 1 & ENG4112 Research Project Part 2 Limitations of Use The Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, and the staff of the University of Southern Queensland, do not accept any responsibility for the truth, accuracy or completeness of material contained within or associated with this dissertation. Persons using all or any part of this material do so at their own risk, and not at the risk of the Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Engineering and Surveying or the staff of the University of Southern Queensland. This dissertation reports an educational exercise and has no purpose or validity beyond this exercise. The sole purpose of the course “Project and Dissertation” is to contribute to the overall education within the student’s chosen degree program. This document, the associated hardware, software, drawings, and other material set out in the associated appendices should not be used for any other purpose: if they are so used, it is entirely at the risk of the user. Professor Frank Bullen Dean Faculty of Engineering and Surveying iv Certification I certify that the ideas, designs and experimental work, results, analyses and conclusions set out in this dissertation are entirely my own effort, except where otherwise indicated and acknowledged. I further certify that the work is original and has not been previously submitted for assessment in any other courses or institution, except where specifically stated. Tan Heng Tsin Stanley Student Number: 0050003071 __________________________________ Signature __________________________________ Date v Acknowledgements This project was developed with the guidance, encouragement and support of many people. I would like to thank Mr. David Parsons, my project supervisor, for his guidance and invaluable advice throughout the course of study. I appreciate his enthusiasm and encouragement. Special thanks to Assoc Prof Ron Ayers for his guidance and advice on the survey and to those who participated in answering the questionnaire as well as friends who helped out in the data collection for the case studies. I would also like to thank my family and my girlfriend for their support and encouragement throughout my graduate study. Tan Heng Tsin Stanley 2007 vi Table of Contents Abstract.................................................................................... iii Certification...............................................................................v Acknowledgements ................................................................. vi List of Figures............................................................................x List of Tables .......................................................................... xii Chapter 1: Introduction.......................................................1 1.1 Project Background....................................................................................... 1 1.2 Outline of the Report..................................................................................... 2 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................3 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Background of Recycling of Used Electronics ............................................. 3 2.3 Electronic Waste in Other Countries............................................................. 6 2.4 The Benefits of Recycling........................................................................... 10 2.5 Summary ..................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3: Methodology ....................................................14 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 14 3.2 Goal Definition............................................................................................ 14 3.3 Scope Definition.......................................................................................... 14 3.4 Assumptions Used in Case Studies ............................................................. 16 Chapter 4: Singapore’s Recycling.....................................17 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 17 4.2 Singapore’s Situation .................................................................................. 17 4.3 Factors Leading to Used Electronics Generation........................................ 19 vii 4.4 Waste Management..................................................................................... 24 4.5 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 30 Chapter 5: The Process of Recycling in Singapore..........31 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 31 5.2 The Collection of Used Electronics ............................................................ 31 5.3 Electronic Waste Recycling Companies in Singapore................................ 36 5.4 Conclusions and Recommendations............................................................ 41 Chapter 6: Management of Electronic Waste in Other Countries ...........................................................................43 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 43 6.2 Management in the United States (US)....................................................... 43 6.3 Management in Australia, Europe and Japan.............................................. 47 6.4 Conclusions and Recommendations............................................................ 50 Chapter 7: Case Studies on Companies in the Local Industry ...........................................................................52 7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 52 7.2 Methodology ............................................................................................... 52 7.3 Case Study Number 1.................................................................................. 54 7.4 Case Study Number 2.................................................................................. 60 7.5 Evaluation of Results .................................................................................. 67 7.6 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 69 Chapter 8: Survey of Consumers......................................70 8.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 70 8.2 Methodology ............................................................................................... 70 8.3 Results and Observations of the Survey...................................................... 71 8.4 Key Findings and Recommendations.......................................................... 82 8.5 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 84 viii Chapter 9: Conclusions......................................................85

Load more

  128

Copy Link