Ecodesign in Consumer Electronics: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

In the past 20 years, the booming consumer electronics (CE) industry has been rapidly changing the economic and social landscape. This phenomenon is partly raised by the development of ecodesign, which is dedicated to improving the environmental performance of CE, throughout its life cycle. The theory and application of ecodesign have both been improved and expanded, owing largely to the development of more environmentally friendly materials, newly emerging technology, and legislation mandating better handling of CE—both in manufacturing and in waste treatment. Yet many challenges and opportunities remain, including the pressure that the huge CE market exerts on resources; new materials and technology such as carbon nanomaterial and the Internet of Things; the need to balance business profit with environmental impacts and benefits; and a significant shift of focus in the processing of electronic waste—from dismantling for recycling to disassembly for remanufacturing. This critical review article can help create sustainable development strategies from a local solution to global opportunities that will elevate ecodesign or design for environment to a new level in new materials selecting, CE industry development, integrated e-waste management, and legislation.

KEY WORDS:

• ecodesign
• consumer electronics
• e-waste
• recycling
• evolution
• design for environment