Environmental impact evaluation and management for end-of-life (EoL) of mobile phones in Thailand

Abstract

Technological of mobile phones speeds up the turn-over rate of mobile phone usages. This impacts consumers’ behavior to change mobile phones more often. Consequently, amount of mobile phone wastes are likely to increase every year with no exception for Thailand. In the future, if no solution is prepared to solve a problem of mobile phone wastes, the accumulated problem can increasingly. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impact and examine End of Life (EoL) of mobile phones from different management approach, and to suggest plans and strategies to improve mobile phone wastes management system in Thailand. The research uses Simapro software version 7.3.3 to evaluate life cycle assessment (LCA) for end of the life (EoL) of mobile phones. The scope of evaluation does not include transportation to the management system. The research examined and compared environmental impacts from 3 scenarios: 1) Scenario 1: “100% landfill”: No materials are recycled, 2) Scenario 2: “95% landfill & 5% recycling”, and (3) Scenario 3: “80% landfill & 20% recycling”. This research conducted questionnaires survey to gather public opinions on situation, understanding the problems and solutions of mobile phone wastes in Thailand to provide suggestions to increase efficiency of mobile phone wastes management in Thailand. The research found that averaged mobile phone is mainly comprised of plastic (43-53%) and non-ferrous metal (19-29%). Phone charger causes the highest environmental impacts compared to all compartments of the phone. The management scenario analysis found that scenario 3 with 20% recycling generates the least environmental impacts compared to other scenarios. In the end-point analysis, human health impact was found to contribute the highest proportion from the end-of life impact from mobile phone wastes. Therefore, recycling of mobile phone wastes has a good potential to reduce future environmental impacts. Based on the public surveys, most people mainly keep end of life (EoL) of mobile phone at home. To provide incentive for people to bring end of life (EoL) of mobile phone to recycling system is by providing benefits or discount on the purchase of a new phone in return. The suggestions for mobile phone management in Thailand in the initial term should raise awareness of people about the severity of the problems in the future without proper management. In the medium term, subsidy from the government or financial incentives should be provided to help developing the collecting and recycling technology and system. In long term, national policy on mobile phone waste management and policy target should be set to solve the mobile phone wastes problem in Thailand effectively.