Circular Design for Electronic Waste Reduction

The printed circuit board (PCB) industry has historically adhered to the traditional linear economic value chain, which has led to significant waste production and value degradation throughout the end-of-life stage. As a result, the electronics sector must move quickly to adopt more environmentally friendly procedures. The purpose of this thorough review article is to provide an overview of the new possibilities and possible solutions that have arisen from PCB production's greater use of resource-efficient manufacturing techniques and newly developed sustainable materials. In order to set the scene, the following brief synopsis reviews the materials now used in PCBs and tracks the development of worldwide waste PCB (WPCB) management and legality during the last 20 years. Furthermore, evaluations of these materials' effects on the environment and human health concerning their usage in PCBs are explained, which makes it easier to choose environmentally friendly materials and cutting-edge technologies that are essential for improving industrial sustainability. A detailed examination of the current WPCB processes is then provided. Using resource-efficient production techniques and newly developed sustainable materials, the article's conclusion offers a thorough analysis of many viable options. We hope that this talk will spur changes in current manufacturing plants and direct policy efforts away from waste management and toward tactics that prioritize waste reduction and zero waste objectives.