Back to: SRI Online Training on E-Waste Management

 

 

Structure of the WEEE value chain: Dismantling / pre-processing

First step involving processing of the e-waste.

 

 

Dismantling / pre-processing

  • Purpose: separate different components and materials of the devices.
  • Recycling technique leading to the highest recovery rates.

In the formal recycling chain

  • Operated by recycling companies.

In the informal recycling chain

  • Mostly done in an unsound manner
  • Can encourage cherry picking

Main dismantling steps:

Opening of the appliance. Housing separated from rest.

Localization, identification and removal of hazardous components.

Dismantling and separation of the remaining components. Marketable fractions.

The level of dismantling applied differ depending on the subsequent mechanical recycling facilities in the region.

Main concepts

  • Hazardous components can be high valuable components (i.e. printed circuit boards). Require very specific treatment in some parts of the world.
  • Manual dismantling of components is conducted until a certain point where viable and with reasonable effort.
  • Further separation into pure materials is not possible without mechanical shredding!
  • Manual dismantling is only possible until a certain point. Mechanical shredding and separation is necessary for a further separation into pure materials.

Further reading

For additional context, we have included optional PDFs with further reading.

Resource 1
Resource 2