폐휴대폰의 발생량 산정, 수거 및 유통체계

Abstract

In recent years more than millions of electronic wastes (e-wastes), partly because of rapid technology development of electronic industry and common replacements of electronic devices by consumers with newer ones, are being generated each year. At the beginning of 2003, in order to more effectively recover and process e-waste as well as to reduce its impact on the environment, Korea Ministry of Environment (Korea MOE) has promulgated an extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulation for a number of electronic equipment. Mobile phone is included in the EPR program in 2005. This paper discusses the generation, collection, and recycling of used & end-of-life mobile phones in Korea, based on a survey of 1,090 consumers, review of the existing literature, site visits at cellular phone recycling facilities, and conversations with telecommunication companies and exporters. The results show that approx. more than 14 millions of mobile phones are being annually replaced with new ones. The results of consumer survey showed an average of 28.8 months replacement period, which is typically higher than normal replacement period (18 months) reported in developed countries. It is estimated that approximately 28 millions of used & end-of-life mobile phones are currently stored in households, awaiting for disposal. Mobile phone retailers and distributors have been an important role in the collection of used and end-of-life mobile phones for sales for new ones. However, a mobile phone collection system should include other points where consumers will find it convenient to dispose a mobile phone. The principal interest for metal recovery from mobile phones is in the recovery of the metals of great value such as copper and cobalt. Lithium and aluminum are also of economic interest. Processing for metal recovery typically begins with shredding of mobile phones followed by material separation steps. Government, consumers, and stockholders related to mobile phones should consider more collective actions that can be taken to promote successful collection schemes.