Flow Scenarios and Resource Potentials for End-of-life Electric Appliances

Abstract

This paper introduces an estimation method for end-of-life product flows using case studies on mobile phones and other home electric appliances. A case study on mobile phones estimates hibernating stock, and also reveals the difficulties of capturing international material cycles. In addition, the paper discusses resource potentials for metals found in end-of-life mobile phones. Though precious metals have higher resource potential when compared to other rare elements, the aggregated values for all metals might be much lower than the values expected by consumers.