Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review Approach
The global electronic waste (e-waste) output is increasing at an alarming pace, albeit with limited management practices, resulting in the release of toxic anthropogenic elements that threaten the environment and public health. The linear economic model, which follows the take-make-consume-dispo...
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University of Turin
2024-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy |
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| Online Access: | https://ojsunito33.archicoop.it/index.php/ejsice/article/view/10799 |
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| author | Mfowabo Maphosa Vusumuzi Maphosa |
| author_facet | Mfowabo Maphosa Vusumuzi Maphosa |
| author_sort | Mfowabo Maphosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The global electronic waste (e-waste) output is increasing at an alarming pace, albeit with limited management practices, resulting in the release of toxic anthropogenic elements that threaten the environment and public health. The linear economic model, which follows the take-make-consume-dispose has shaped the global economy. In contrast, the circular economy reduces wastage, recirculates raw materials, and extends the lifespan of products through repairing, refurbishing and remanufacturing. This reduces supply chain risks and product supply disruptions and creates formal jobs. This systematic literature review evaluates how the knowledge economy and modernisation growth have contributed to the e-waste burden, and how the circular economy can mitigate environmental and health effects. The study evaluates the impact of the circular economy and the e-waste problem. It identifies the research landscape, the key research clusters, relevant topics, and research hotspots from research output from the 949 publications selected from the Scopus database published from 2014 to 2023. The analysis involved quantitative descriptions of several metrics related to the research outputs. The analysis also involved creating network and density graphs using VoSViewer and generating the ten key topics and a word cloud using Provalis WordStat. The study also highlights the conceptual developments and current and future research trends. The findings show that research outputs increased substantially from two in 2014 to 257 in 2023 and citations grew astronomically, from one in 2014 to 8409 in 2023. The analysis reveals five research clusters: material management and resource recovery, business practices and circular economy strategies, technology integration and sustainability, recycling challenges, and environmental health and sustainable practices. The study recommends that emerging economies should embrace the circular economy and integrate the informal sector for e-waste collection, sorting, and less complex recycling, while the formal sector conducts high-end recycling.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f631b2886de2480c8718316f7056eefc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2704-9906 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Turin |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy |
| spelling | doaj-art-f631b2886de2480c8718316f7056eefc2025-02-03T09:36:01ZengUniversity of TurinEuropean Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy2704-99062024-12-015310.13135/2704-9906/10799Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review ApproachMfowabo Maphosa0Vusumuzi Maphosa1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2595-3890University of PretoriaNational University of Science and Technology The global electronic waste (e-waste) output is increasing at an alarming pace, albeit with limited management practices, resulting in the release of toxic anthropogenic elements that threaten the environment and public health. The linear economic model, which follows the take-make-consume-dispose has shaped the global economy. In contrast, the circular economy reduces wastage, recirculates raw materials, and extends the lifespan of products through repairing, refurbishing and remanufacturing. This reduces supply chain risks and product supply disruptions and creates formal jobs. This systematic literature review evaluates how the knowledge economy and modernisation growth have contributed to the e-waste burden, and how the circular economy can mitigate environmental and health effects. The study evaluates the impact of the circular economy and the e-waste problem. It identifies the research landscape, the key research clusters, relevant topics, and research hotspots from research output from the 949 publications selected from the Scopus database published from 2014 to 2023. The analysis involved quantitative descriptions of several metrics related to the research outputs. The analysis also involved creating network and density graphs using VoSViewer and generating the ten key topics and a word cloud using Provalis WordStat. The study also highlights the conceptual developments and current and future research trends. The findings show that research outputs increased substantially from two in 2014 to 257 in 2023 and citations grew astronomically, from one in 2014 to 8409 in 2023. The analysis reveals five research clusters: material management and resource recovery, business practices and circular economy strategies, technology integration and sustainability, recycling challenges, and environmental health and sustainable practices. The study recommends that emerging economies should embrace the circular economy and integrate the informal sector for e-waste collection, sorting, and less complex recycling, while the formal sector conducts high-end recycling. https://ojsunito33.archicoop.it/index.php/ejsice/article/view/10799Circular Economy, Electronic Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Sustainable Development, Supply Chain, Extended Producer Responsibility |
| spellingShingle | Mfowabo Maphosa Vusumuzi Maphosa Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review Approach European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy Circular Economy, Electronic Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Sustainable Development, Supply Chain, Extended Producer Responsibility |
| title | Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review Approach |
| title_full | Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review Approach |
| title_fullStr | Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review Approach |
| title_short | Using the Circular Economy to Mitigate the Global Electronic Waste Challenge: A Systematic Literature Review Approach |
| title_sort | using the circular economy to mitigate the global electronic waste challenge a systematic literature review approach |
| topic | Circular Economy, Electronic Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Sustainable Development, Supply Chain, Extended Producer Responsibility |
| url | https://ojsunito33.archicoop.it/index.php/ejsice/article/view/10799 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mfowabomaphosa usingthecirculareconomytomitigatetheglobalelectronicwastechallengeasystematicliteraturereviewapproach AT vusumuzimaphosa usingthecirculareconomytomitigatetheglobalelectronicwastechallengeasystematicliteraturereviewapproach |