Cost-benefit analysis of weee recycling in germany

The paper analyzes the monetary value of precious and critical metals stocks in selected electronic equipment sold during 2004-2014 in Germany and at global level, as well as the value of the metals stock which is not being put to use. Initially a literature review on the definition of critical metals is being provided, followed by an analysis of the precious and critical metal stock content and monetary value for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). The stocks of precious and critical metals inside mobile phones and smartphones are assessed on the basis of sales volumes. Moreover, a cost benefit analysis of the end-of-life management of mobile phones and smartphones is being realized reaching the conclusion that the potential revenues from recycling these products can be quite significant. Furthermore, the issues and challenges in the German Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Management System are also being analyzed with a closer look at mobile phone and smartphone waste streams with the goal of identifying the potential of closing the resources loop.