Challenges in determining electronics equipment take-back levels

Industrial ecology requires life cycle planning and implementation. In order to replace product disposal with product take-back, reverse logistics networks and product take-back centers must be set up. Product take-back can be for reuse (repair, upgrade, and resale), recycling, or disposal. This paper focuses on the challenges in estimating product take-back levels. Current product take-back activities around the world are summarized. Product take-back cycles are defined and an improved product take-back estimation framework is proposed.