Title: Sustainable benefits of electronic waste recycling in India: a system dynamics analysis

Authors: Karishma Chaudhary; Prem Vrat

Addresses: Welingkar Institute of Management, 102/103, Electronic City Phase 1, Bangalore, 560100, India ' The NorthCap University, Sector 23A, Gurugram, 122107, India

Abstract: Despite the fact that 95% of the electronic waste (e-waste) generated is routed to unorganised sector, India is still struggling to put up an effective e-waste management system. This paper highlights the sustainability link of an efficient and effective e-waste reverse supply chain (RSC) of e-waste in India. A system dynamics (SD) model of circular flow of electronics products from manufacturing stage to recycling stage has been developed using STELLA Software version 9.1.3. Seven scenarios have been simulated using the model to study behaviour of various variables. Study of trends provides very useful insights to facilitate policy decisions for implementation of e-waste RSC in India. This study also recommends various strategies to improve the collection efficiency of the organised sector.

Keywords: e-waste; electronic waste; material reserve; system dynamics; SD; sustainability link; causal loop diagram; CLD; stock and flow diagram; SFD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2019.101934

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2019 Vol.27 No.4, pp.369 - 393

Received: 05 Dec 2017
Accepted: 14 Sep 2018
Published online: 30 Aug 2019 *

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