Resource efficiency indicators to assess circular economy strategies: A case study on four materials in laptops

Electronics require a complex composition and energy-intensive manufacturing. Yet, most of the world's waste electrical electronic equipment is not collected recycled. Circular economy (CE) strategies can reduce loss materials environmental footprint in electronics. Resource efficiency indicators – typically defined as benefits (handprint) over burdens (footprint) measure materials’ life cycle performance. This paper aims to develop resource that show use. We illustrated with case study four (aluminium, copper, iron, plastics) embedded laptops. The includes scenarios different CE strategies: energy recovery, recycling, refurbishing, reuse. use several cycles laptops 25-year time horizon. Generally, refurbishment reuse showed improved compared recycling scenarios. Compared recovery improvement was up 189% (refurbishment) 157% (reuse) aluminium. Nonetheless, it remarkable average results preference for refurbishing during 25 years. result limited shorter functional in-use reused analysis relevant CE, where value should be kept long possible. Our methodology expands traditional one-cycle perspective by measuring Policy-makers our assess product keep lowering impacts.