Using the circular economy to mitigate the global electronic waste challenge : a systematic literature review approach

Abstract

The global electronic waste (e-waste) output is increasing at an alarming pace, albeit with limited management practices, resulting in the release of toxic anthropogenic elements that threaten the environment and public health. The linear economicmodel, which follows the take-make-consume-dispose has shaped the global economy. In contrast, the circular economy reduces wastage, recirculates raw materials, and extends the lifespan of products through repairing, refurbishing and remanufacturing. This reduces supply chain risks and product supply disruptions and creates formal jobs. This systematic literature review evaluates how the knowledge economy and modernisationgrowthhavecontributed to the e-waste burden, and how the circular economy can mitigate environmental and health effects. The study evaluatesthe impact of the circular economy and the e-waste problem. It identifies the research landscape, the key research clusters, relevant topics, and research hotspots from research output from the 949publications selected from the Scopus database published from 2014 to 2023. The analysis involvedquantitative descriptions of several metrics related to the research outputs. The analysisalsoinvolved creating network and density graphs using VoSViewer and generating the ten key topics and a word cloud using Provalis WordStat. The study also highlights the conceptual developments and current and future research trends. The findingsshow that research outputs increased substantially from two in 2014 to 257in 2023 and citations grew astronomically, from one in 2014 to 8409in 2023. The analysis reveals five research clusters: material management and resource recovery, business practices and circular economy strategies, technology integration and sustainability, recycling challenges, and environmental health and sustainablepractices.The study recommends that emerging economies should embrace the circular economy and integrate the informal sector for e-waste collection, sorting, and less complex recycling, while the formal sector conducts high-end recycling.