ABSTRACT
The exponential increase in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) generation in economies is a growing concern. The average lifespan of computers in developed countries has dropped from 6 years in 1997 to just two in 2005 and mobile phones have a life-cycle of <2 years, according to Greenpeace (2010). If these trends continue, the generated Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) will reach higher volumes. So, the WEEE problem is present on regulatory agendas and takeback legislation mandates producer responsibility for collection and recycling of e-waste. Producers or regulators may have to set up infrastructures and design collection and recycling networks to comply with WEEE take-back laws, which have capacity to make decisions in order to manage WEEE to achieve desired policy targets (e.g., collection and recycling targets). Strategic and operational decisions with respect to investments in new treatment facilities are needed. Optimization models can assist in ensuring that these investment strategies are economically feasible.
