Methodology for Estimating Optimum Reuse Time Span: Application to Reusable Computer Waste

Abstract

Computer waste has considerable reverse flow in terms of reuse and recycles. The reuse component is particularly significant for developing nations like India. The hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycle/treatment, and disposal in a landfill is a universally accepted approach to waste management. This approach becomes complex to practice if due considerations are given to cost, health, environment issues, and socially perceived risk in decision making. Shifting from one stage of hierarchy to another becomes an involved decision requiring an integrated approach to visualize the tradeoffs between these factors. Also, to be able to reach the best possible configuration of such waste management systems, it is necessary to consider its reappearance in future years. The present study proposes a methodology for estimating the optimum reuse span for a waste and demonstrates the same by applying the same to a personal computer. The results of the example problem clearly demonstrate the variation in optimum reuse span for different objectives/priorities. The results can help the decision makers limit the reuse of waste categories beyond a certain age.