Possible roadmap for the circular economy using technologies of segregation and recycling of electronic and polymeric wastes

Abstract

The electronic and plastic recycling process comprises the dissolution/reprecipitation methods and supercritical fluid extraction, which produce high-quality recovered products comparable with virgin materials. In the current scenario, despite several technological developments, e-waste plastic recycling is hindered mainly due to the presence of flame retardants. Emerging technologies such as microfactories are being studied for recycling e-waste plastics. Waste recycling processes pose significant challenges considering various technical aspects and relatively low-profit margins, especially in the case of a heterogeneous waste stream. An environmentally friendly and potentially profitable method for waste separation, recovery, and solvent extraction is the need of the hour. Policy-level interventions should include incentives for producers to design products that contain fewer toxic components and are easier to disassemble, reuse, and recycle. Enforcement mechanisms and deposit/refund schemes can be employed to encourage consumers to return electronic devices for collection and reuse/recycling. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.