Technical Workflow Selection for WEEE Recycling Facilities in China

It aimed to find an appropriate technical workflow suitable for WEEE recyling facilities in China, and then establish a conceptual flowchart model. According to the circular economy thinking and China's current situation, four essential principles for the selecting of WEEE recycling technical route were presented: (1) make most use of the abundant and cheap labor force resource to minimize recycling cost; (2) select environmental benign techniques with no secondary pollutant; (3) remanufacture to improve the added value to maximum extent; (4) exploit optimized WEEE recycling procedures. In order to clarify such principles, a conceptual process flow model for WEEE recycling facilities was established. Finally, potential barriers to the implementation of this technical route were also analyzed and resolutions were proposed.