Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • The dismantling of waste TVs yields net environmental benefits: fossil resource scarcity reduced by 26,494.23 kg oil eq, freshwater ecotoxicity reduced by 2.21×10^4 kg 1,4-DCB, and greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 956.53 kg CO2 eq per functional unit (midpoint indicators). • • Endpoint impact reductions include 1.59×10^4 DALY (human health), 2.35×10^4 species·yr (ecosystem), and $4.22×10^4 (resource depletion), demonstrating significant positive contributions to sustainability. • • The carbon footprint per waste TV is 0.231–0.247 kg CO2 eq per unit, with electricity consumption accounting for over 50% of total emissions; TV-2 (0.231) shows a 6.5% lower footprint than TV-1 (0.247), indicating potential for energy efficiency improvements. • • Sensitivity analysis confirms that electricity consumption is the most influential parameter on carbon footprint, highlighting the importance of equipment upgrades and energy management for emission reduction.
Abstract
This study establishes a carbon footprint calculation method and an environmental benefit assessment model for the dismantling process of waste televisions (TVs) based on life cycle assessment (LCA). Activity data on energy consumption and material flows were collected from typical treatment enterprises via field investigation. The ReCiPe 2016 model was applied to quantify midpoint and endpoint environmental impacts. Results show that the dismantling and recycling process yields net environmental benefits in most impact categories. At the midpoint level, significant reductions were observed in fossil resource scarcity (−26,494.23 kg oil eq), freshwater ecotoxicity (−2.21×10^4 kg 1,4-DCB), and greenhouse gas emissions (−956.53 kg CO2 eq). At the endpoint level, reductions in human health damage (−1.59×10^4 DALY), ecosystem damage (−2.35×10^4 species·yr), and resource depletion costs (−4.22×10^4 USD) were achieved. Carbon footprint analysis indicates that the carbon footprint per TV ranges from 0.231 to 0.247 kg CO2 eq per unit, with electricity consumption as the dominant emission source. Sensitivity analysis reveals that electricity consumption significantly influences the carbon footprint. Finally, emission reduction recommendations are proposed from aspects of equipment upgrade and energy management, providing theoretical basis and practical guidance for low-carbon treatment of electronic waste.
1. Introduction
The escalating generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) poses significant environmental risks and resource challenges globally. In China, the rapid replacement of electronic products and the promotion of trade-in policies have accelerated the volume of e-waste, necessitating efficient and environmentally sound recycling practices. While life cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely applied to evaluate the environmental performance of e-waste recycling, most studies treat the dismantling stage as a simplified unit process, lacking detailed and dynamic modeling of this critical step. This gap limits the identification of specific emission sources and the optimization of dismantling processes for carbon reduction.
This study addresses this bottleneck by focusing on the dismantling process of waste televisions, one of the largest e-waste streams. Through field investigation of typical treatment enterprises, we obtained detailed activity data on energy and material flows. We then developed a precise carbon footprint calculation method and an environmental benefit model using the ReCiPe 2016 framework. This approach enables the quantification of environmental impacts at both midpoint and endpoint levels, and identifies electricity consumption as the dominant contributor to the carbon footprint. The findings provide actionable insights for equipment upgrades and energy management, supporting the low-carbon transition of e-waste recycling under China's dual carbon goals.
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LI Huan, XU Zi-yin, JIANG Yuan-yuan, WU Tian, CHEN Meng-jun (2026). Carbon Footprint and Environmental Benefits of Waste Television Dismantling and Recycling: A Life Cycle Assessment Study. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.12030/j.cjee.202509031
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the functional unit used in the carbon footprint calculation, and how does it affect comparability across different TV models?
The functional unit is one waste television (per unit, u−1). The carbon footprint per TV ranges from 0.231 to 0.247 kg CO2 eq·u−1, with TV-2 showing a 6.5% lower footprint than TV-1. This difference is attributed to variations in equipment energy efficiency and process design, indicating that the functional unit allows for direct comparison between models and highlights optimization potential.
How significant is the contribution of electricity consumption to the total carbon footprint, and what are the implications for emission reduction strategies?
Electricity consumption accounts for over 50% of the total carbon footprint. Sensitivity analysis confirms that electricity is the most influential parameter. Therefore, upgrading to energy-efficient equipment and optimizing energy management are critical strategies to reduce emissions. For instance, improving energy efficiency by 10% could reduce the carbon footprint by approximately 0.023 kg CO2 eq per TV, based on the average footprint of 0.239 kg CO2 eq.
What are the specific environmental benefits in terms of human health and ecosystem damage, and how are these quantified?
The dismantling process results in a reduction of 1.59×10^4 DALY (disability-adjusted life years) for human health and 2.35×10^4 species·yr for ecosystem damage, as quantified using the ReCiPe 2016 endpoint method. These reductions are primarily due to avoided production of virgin materials and proper treatment of hazardous substances, which prevent toxic emissions and resource depletion.
How does the carbon footprint of waste TV dismantling compare with other e-waste recycling processes, and what are the main emission sources?
The carbon footprint of 0.231–0.247 kg CO2 eq per TV is relatively low compared to processes involving energy-intensive smelting or refining. The main emission source is electricity consumption, which is consistent with other studies on e-waste dismantling. This highlights the importance of decarbonizing the electricity grid to further reduce the carbon footprint.
What are the limitations of this LCA study, and how could future research address them?
The study focuses solely on the dismantling stage, excluding upstream collection and downstream material recovery. Future research should expand the system boundary to include the entire recycling chain. Additionally, the data were collected from a limited number of enterprises; broader sampling would improve representativeness. Dynamic modeling of energy mix changes over time could also enhance the accuracy of long-term projections.
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