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This content will become publicly available on August 20, 2026

Title: Life Cycle Assessment of E-Waste: Applications, Gaps, and Future Directions
The increasing volume of electronic waste (e-waste) creates significant environmental and economic challenges which demands practical management strategies. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been known as a principal tool for evaluating the environmental impact of e-waste recycling and disposal methods. However, its application is hampered by inconsistencies in methodology, data limitations, and variations in system boundaries. This study provides a review of current LCA tools used in e-waste analysis and identifies gaps and opportunities for improvement. It categorizes studies into three groups: studies that applied LCA to product and process optimization, impact evaluation, and policy development. Findings reveal that LCA has been helpful in assessing the sustainability of different recycling strategies. However, significant variations exist in methodological approaches and data accuracy. Challenges such as the lack of standardized LCA protocols, the limited availability of regionspecific impact data, and inconsistencies in assessment methodologies are still barriers to its widespread adoption. Finally, the study discusses emerging trends in LCA aimed at addressing current gaps, including the incorporation of machine learning and artificial intelligence for predictive modeling, dynamic impact assessment frameworks, and the role of real-time data collection via IoT-based sensors.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2412471 2324950
PAR ID:
10636500
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Proceedings of the ASME 2025 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference IDETC/CIE2025 August 17-20, 2025, Anaheim, California
Date Published:
Format(s):
Medium: X
Location:
Anaheim, CA, USA
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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