What are the environmental benefits of increasing the WEEE treatment in France?

Abstract

In France is estimated a generation of about 17 and 23 kg per year of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) per inhabitant, however, in 2014, the return rate for household WEEE hardly reaches 38% of the total market input. The French regulation targets a higher collection rate for the next years: 45% between 2016 and 2019, and 65% after 2019. Besides complying with the regulations, improving WEEE treatment represents an environmental and economic opportunity. The aim of this work was to quantify the benefits of improving the treatment of WEEE in France by the life cycle assessment methodology. A mobile phone charger was selected as a case study, and three scenarios were assessed based on the actual collection rate and the future recycling targets. The optimization of the reverse logistic and the transition to renewable energies are crucial points to reduce the environmental impacts of the recycling channel.