Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature Review

The global demand for electrical and electronic equipment has undergone continuous growth in recent years due to the effect of industrialization and technological development. This indicates substantial quantities of e-waste that need to be managed properly to reduce their environmental impact and t...

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Main Authors: Samuele Marinello, Rita Gamberini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:Toxics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/9/1/13
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author Samuele Marinello
Rita Gamberini
author_facet Samuele Marinello
Rita Gamberini
author_sort Samuele Marinello
collection DOAJ
description The global demand for electrical and electronic equipment has undergone continuous growth in recent years due to the effect of industrialization and technological development. This indicates substantial quantities of e-waste that need to be managed properly to reduce their environmental impact and to avoid inappropriate forms of disposal. The purpose of this paper is to review the most popular multi-criteria decision-making approaches applied to the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment, analyzing how they are used to contribute to the improvement of management strategies along the entire supply chain. For this purpose, a methodological protocol for the collection, selection, and analysis of the scientific literature was applied, identifying 44 papers on which to conduct this study. The results showed that numerous authors have developed multi-criteria approaches, with particular attention to recycling phase. The analytic hierarchy process is the most widespread multi-criteria approach, often coupled with VIKOR, DELPHI, and TOPSIS methods. The numerous decision making criteria adopted cover different reference dimensions: environmental, economic, social, technical, and legal. Considering environmental aspects also in decision making processes means enhancing the relevance of this dimension, as well as encouraging practices that reduce the impact of toxic substances on the environment and living organisms.
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spelling doaj.art-235b601bb22d422eb967529205d35b722023-12-03T13:40:09ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042021-01-01911310.3390/toxics9010013Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature ReviewSamuele Marinello0Rita Gamberini1En&Tech Interdepartmental Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Piazzale Europa 1, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyEn&Tech Interdepartmental Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Piazzale Europa 1, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyThe global demand for electrical and electronic equipment has undergone continuous growth in recent years due to the effect of industrialization and technological development. This indicates substantial quantities of e-waste that need to be managed properly to reduce their environmental impact and to avoid inappropriate forms of disposal. The purpose of this paper is to review the most popular multi-criteria decision-making approaches applied to the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment, analyzing how they are used to contribute to the improvement of management strategies along the entire supply chain. For this purpose, a methodological protocol for the collection, selection, and analysis of the scientific literature was applied, identifying 44 papers on which to conduct this study. The results showed that numerous authors have developed multi-criteria approaches, with particular attention to recycling phase. The analytic hierarchy process is the most widespread multi-criteria approach, often coupled with VIKOR, DELPHI, and TOPSIS methods. The numerous decision making criteria adopted cover different reference dimensions: environmental, economic, social, technical, and legal. Considering environmental aspects also in decision making processes means enhancing the relevance of this dimension, as well as encouraging practices that reduce the impact of toxic substances on the environment and living organisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/9/1/13e-waste managementwaste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)decision support modelmulti-criteria decision makingliterature review
spellingShingle Samuele Marinello
Rita Gamberini
Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature Review
Toxics
e-waste management
waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
decision support model
multi-criteria decision making
literature review
title Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_full Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_fullStr Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_short Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches Applied to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_sort multi criteria decision making approaches applied to waste electrical and electronic equipment weee a comprehensive literature review
topic e-waste management
waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
decision support model
multi-criteria decision making
literature review
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/9/1/13
work_keys_str_mv AT samuelemarinello multicriteriadecisionmakingapproachesappliedtowasteelectricalandelectronicequipmentweeeacomprehensiveliteraturereview
AT ritagamberini multicriteriadecisionmakingapproachesappliedtowasteelectricalandelectronicequipmentweeeacomprehensiveliteraturereview