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Analysis of Drivers and Barriers for Personal Computer Re-use: A case study of secondary PCs in Taiwan

Hsieh, Ai-Shan LU (2010) In IIIEE Master thesis IMEN56 20101
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Personal computers (PC) have become an indispensable product in modern life. Along with the growing volume of computers, the environmental burden and impact at the end-of-life phase known as e-waste become significant. Considering the material-intensive nature of the production of computers, and the environmental burdens caused by landfills, incinerations and improper recycling activities, personal computer reuse can bring benefits from various aspects. Current policy puts more focus on e-waste management than reuse and producers are not participating in the secondary PC market, except for Microsoft.
This research tries to illustrate the framework of PC reuse activities and provides a background study for the enhancement of secondary PCs... (More)
Personal computers (PC) have become an indispensable product in modern life. Along with the growing volume of computers, the environmental burden and impact at the end-of-life phase known as e-waste become significant. Considering the material-intensive nature of the production of computers, and the environmental burdens caused by landfills, incinerations and improper recycling activities, personal computer reuse can bring benefits from various aspects. Current policy puts more focus on e-waste management than reuse and producers are not participating in the secondary PC market, except for Microsoft.
This research tries to illustrate the framework of PC reuse activities and provides a background study for the enhancement of secondary PCs as a general counter-measure for growing e-waste problems. This research also examines literature and conducts a case study of stakeholder interviews to discover the drivers and barriers of PC reuse from the perspectives of three top international producers and policy markers and refurbishers in Taiwan. There are many factors to be considered before establishing a sustainable reverse supply chain for secondary PCs, such as reducing the safety risks and functional issues by building up computer reuse standards, seeking opportunities to lower the cost (user friendly total package of open OS, logistic partnerships, selections of reliable sources and optimal refurbishing locations and procedures), communication, incentives and stable channels for residents to resell or recycle their PCs in a timely manner.
To reflect global e-waste problems from Taiwanese practices, because of low recovery rate of old PC refurbishment (only 20 to 30% for four to six year old PCs obtained from various sources), this research suggests to establish the secondary PC standard as the first priority, request software and hardware producers to take aggressive actions, enlarge domestic market as much as possible and only allow the exporting of functional secondary PCs meeting standards to certain emerging markets. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Hsieh, Ai-Shan LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEN56 20101
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
PC re-use, e-waste, WEEE, secondary PC, computer and environmental impact
publication/series
IIIEE Master thesis
report number
2010:06
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
1784754
date added to LUP
2011-02-07 17:29:30
date last changed
2011-02-07 17:29:30
@misc{1784754,
  abstract     = {{Personal computers (PC) have become an indispensable product in modern life. Along with the growing volume of computers, the environmental burden and impact at the end-of-life phase known as e-waste become significant. Considering the material-intensive nature of the production of computers, and the environmental burdens caused by landfills, incinerations and improper recycling activities, personal computer reuse can bring benefits from various aspects. Current policy puts more focus on e-waste management than reuse and producers are not participating in the secondary PC market, except for Microsoft.
This research tries to illustrate the framework of PC reuse activities and provides a background study for the enhancement of secondary PCs as a general counter-measure for growing e-waste problems. This research also examines literature and conducts a case study of stakeholder interviews to discover the drivers and barriers of PC reuse from the perspectives of three top international producers and policy markers and refurbishers in Taiwan. There are many factors to be considered before establishing a sustainable reverse supply chain for secondary PCs, such as reducing the safety risks and functional issues by building up computer reuse standards, seeking opportunities to lower the cost (user friendly total package of open OS, logistic partnerships, selections of reliable sources and optimal refurbishing locations and procedures), communication, incentives and stable channels for residents to resell or recycle their PCs in a timely manner.
To reflect global e-waste problems from Taiwanese practices, because of low recovery rate of old PC refurbishment (only 20 to 30% for four to six year old PCs obtained from various sources), this research suggests to establish the secondary PC standard as the first priority, request software and hardware producers to take aggressive actions, enlarge domestic market as much as possible and only allow the exporting of functional secondary PCs meeting standards to certain emerging markets.}},
  author       = {{Hsieh, Ai-Shan}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master thesis}},
  title        = {{Analysis of Drivers and Barriers for Personal Computer Re-use: A case study of secondary PCs in Taiwan}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}