Application of​ Life Cycle Assessment in the WEEE recycling sector to a relevant​ Italian case study​

WEEE recycling presents unique challenges and opportunities, as these materials combine valuable resources such as precious and rare metals with hazardous components that demand specialized management to minimize risks to the environment and human health. Despite progress, the Italian WEEE system of collection retrieved only 360000 tonnes of WEEE in 2022 - 50% of the European target of 65% - due to factors such as insufficient regulations and limited public awareness campaigns. This study investigates the possibility of designing a general methodology for the environmental impacts of recycling Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a relevant Italian case study, specifically an Italian WEEE treatment plant that recovers plastics and metals to produce polymers classified as End-of-Waste (EoW). Recovered polymers—namely ABS and PS (flakes and pellets) and PP/PE—were assessed using a cradle-to-gate LCA approach with SimaPro and the EcoInvent 3.9.1 database, following ISO 14040 standards. The waste entering the system was treated as burden-free under a cut-off allocation approach, and environmental impacts were evaluated using the EU Environmental Footprint 3.1 method. Results revealed significant environmental benefits for recycled polymers compared to virgin counterparts. ABS Flakes and PS Flakes showed a GWP of 1528 kg CO2-eq while ABS Pellet and PS Pellet showed slightly higher impacts due to additional extrusion. PP/PE showed the lowest impact at 1342 kg CO2-eq. Compared to virgin polymer production data from the EcoInvent Database 3.11, ABS and PS Pellets showed an average GWP reduction of over 50%, while also slightly outperforming recycled polymers in the database. A process contribution analysis revealed that waste disposal was the largest source of emissions. For this reason a sensitivity analysis was carried out and further gains are possible by recycling this residual waste. Additionally switching to a fully renewable energy mix further reduced environmental impacts. While environmental impacts are at the forefront, this study also acknowledges some of the social dimension of WEEE recycling, addressing it with some preliminary analysis. The findings of this case study underline the potential of WEEE recycling to address critical environmental challenges, including resource conservation, emission reduction, and advancing circular economy principles. By proposing a general methodology applicable to diverse WEEE recycling scenarios, this research serves as a foundation for future studies. The approach integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the course needed to achieve sustainable development in WEEE management. Acknowledgments: This study was carried out within the MICS (Made in Italy – Circular and Sustainable).