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Received Feb 9, 2017; Accepted Apr 3, 2017
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1. Introduction
In a circular economy, the intention is to produce no waste or pollution. Instead, products, parts, and materials are used, cared for, repaired, reused, and recycled as much as possible [1]. This is intended to be the preferred alternative to the dominant economic development of “take, make, and dispose” [2]. The options to close the loop and practice a circular economy range from smarter product design and use [3], via product (or parts) life extension, to useful applications [4]. Yet, the circular economy is best known for the so called 3R Principles: Reduction, Reuse, and Recycle [5]. There is a lively debate going on in society about the attractiveness of a circular economy for different stakeholders. The advantages are not just related to environment and health, but can also include economic growth and employment [6]. In December 2015, the European Commission adopted an ambitious circular economy package to stimulate sustainable economic growth [7].
Also in the Netherlands, circular economy is high on the agenda. An important topic for discussion is the waste electric and electronic equipment (e-waste). Special attention is paid to smart product design as a way to reduce resource consumption and energy use, facilitate reuse of product components, and extent the product lifetime [8]. Additionally, the recovery of expensive and scarce materials from e-waste represents a significant opportunity for the environment and the economy. Therefore, Dutch governmental regulations aiming to maximize the reuse of discarded equipment containing valuable resources should be maximized. E-waste can be recycled at a minimum standard (shredding) or a high standard (WEEELABEX requirements [9]), resulting in large differences in the level of recycling between countries. To stimulate material recovery and to decrease the emission of hazardous substances, high standard recycling is mandatory in the Netherlands.
The collection and recycling of e-waste in the Netherlands is well organised by nonprofit organisation Wecycle, on behalf of 1,500 producers and...