Evaluation of the Potential Amount of Dissipated Rare Metals from WEEE in Japan

The dissipated amounts of rare metals (Au, Ag, B, Ba, Cr, In, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Ta, Zn and Zr) in WEEE (Cathode Ray Tube TV, liquid-crystal display TV, plasma display panel TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, microwave oven and cleaner) have been estimated. For the estimation, the number of WEEE was also estimated using the population balance model. The composition of the WEEE were examined by interviews and the measurement using energy dispersive X-ray diffractometer. The estimated amounts of the dissipation were evaluated by both the ratio of the dissipation to domestic demand and the weight amount of the dissipation by "total materials requirement" (TMR).