Using Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technology for Digital Circular Economy Enablement: The Case of Electronic Equipment

Chiara Magrini, Jana Nicolas, Holger Berg, Alberto Bellini, Enrico Paolini, Nazarena Vincenti, Luca Campadello and Alessandra Bonoli
Additional contact information
Jana Nicolas: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Holger Berg: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Alberto Bellini: Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi” (DEI), University of Bologna, 47522 Cesena, Italy
Enrico Paolini: Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering “Guglielmo Marconi” (DEI), University of Bologna, 47522 Cesena, Italy
Nazarena Vincenti: Erion Compliance Organization, 20154 Milano, Italy
Luca Campadello: Erion Compliance Organization, 20154 Milano, Italy
Alessandra Bonoli: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Nowadays, high expectations are set for a digitally enabled circular economy (CE), to enhance resource efficiency. Tracing, tracking, and storing information is most important for this. In this paper, the application of Internet of Things (IoT) and Distributed Ledger Technology (Blockchain) are hence discussed by presenting the case of professional Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) in Italy. Within the context of CE, prevention of electronic waste (WEEE) is extremely relevant as it is a fast-growing waste stream, and the products contain environmentally damaging substances as well as valuable and rare materials. The use of a proper combination of IoT and blockchain can help the producers to keep control on products until EEE end-of-life, while promoting CE strategies and supporting decision-making. Based on the outcomes of five interviews conducted in 2019 to companies of the EEE sector, potential improvements in the EEE end-of-use management are discussed. After providing the definition of requirements for both the technical solution and its testing are provided, three solution variations and the related business models are created and presented, as well as considerations on their environmental and economic impacts. The study shows how digital technologies can support the appropriate and circular management of EEE products and WEEE.

Keywords: circular economy; digitalization; IoT; blockchain; distributed ledger technology; electric and electronic equipment; WEEE; sustainable business model; BCoT; corporate social responsibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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