Abstract
This paper estimates disposal amounts and potential substance volume of video recorders, DVD recorders, video cameras, audio players (flash memory and HDD types), video games and mobile phones. It is estimated that approximately 60000tons of these types of wastes are being disposed of annually. When estimated per capita, at approximately 0.4kg/yr per capita for these waste items, the amount is relatively small in comparison to an estimation of 6.7kg/yr per capita for CRT TVs, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. Waste from these small devices and equipment is estimated to contain a total of four tons of gold and three tons of palladium.
Results indicate that there is a high potential for precious metal recycling from small electrical devices and other electronic equipment. Excluding reuse, more than half of these types of equipment are being disposed of as household waste (through the municipal government). Based on a public questionnaire, about 80% of Japan’s municipal gove rnments recycle some kind of resources : approximately 90% are recycling iron and approximately 60% are recycling aluminum. It appears that precious metals are not being recycled. This paper gives several suggestions regarding what needs to be considered in order to establish recycling small electrical and electronic equipment. Hidden flow, according to the Ecological Rucksack concept, may be an important aspect to incorporate into this recycling process. E-waste is another perspective to be examined.
