A simplified method to evaluate the recycling potential of e-waste

E-waste has attracted global concern owing to huge generation amount, rich valuable metal content, and potential environmental risk. The evaluation of the recycling potential is becoming more and more important, especially for many recyclers when they are hesitating which substance is more worthwhile to recover. In this research, a simplified method is set up to calculate the recycling potential of many metals in e-waste, and considers four respects, including existence condition, substance toxicity, economic condition and technical condition. A study case based on the liquid crystal display (LCD) is presented as an example to assess the recycling potential of substances contained. The recycling potential of the contained metals was measured according to those four aspects. As a result, the priority level of these substances recycled from waste LCDs is aluminum (Al) > mercury (Hg) > indium (In) > tin (Sn) > zinc (Zn), and the technological level would be an important factor that affect the recycling potential value of Hg. The toxicity and the price are two key issues that affect the recycling potential of Sn compared with Zn. When the price of In increased twenty-fold or more, the recycling potential should be taken fully into account. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.