Assessing and managing the sustainability of global reverse supply chains: the case of personal computers

威廉姆斯，埃里克，PI亚利桑那州立大学CBET-0731067评估和管理全球反向供应链的可持续性：个人电脑的情况辛迪M。Lee，项目总监，（703）292-5356这项工作的主要目标是从可持续发展的角度开发工程和管理国际反向供应链所需的知识框架。 PI采取案例研究的方法，使用反向供应链的个人电脑在美国的研究包括三个组成部分。第一个组成部分包括材料流分析，以了解美国报废计算机的全球影响力。由于缺乏支持废旧商品和材料回收的数据基础设施，该分析将促进方法的发展。第二个组成部分是了解这一逆向供应链不同路径的环境和发展方面。将开发一种新的方法/视角，称为全球路径分析，跟踪和评估环境，经济和社会特征的流动结束的生活过程通过不同的国家。第三部分探讨了地球系统工程的技术系统，结合工程和社会/政策的背景。电子产品的回收得到了决策者和公众的极大关注，尽管有毒和无害物质在材料流中所占的质量份额很小。 尽管各国政府、非政府组织和媒体都十分关注这一问题，但对国际产品/材料逆向流动的广泛影响和管理战略的研究却相对较少。 该项目可以为政策和公共讨论做出重要贡献。 个人电脑的案例研究也将吸引中学生以及本科生和研究生的教育活动。教育模块和研究成果将通过可持续工程中心传播。

Williams, Eric, PIArizona State UniversityCBET-0731067Assessing and Managing the Sustainability of Global Reverse Supply Chains: The Case of Personal ComputersCindy M. Lee, Program Director, (703) 292-5356 The main goal for this work is to develop the intellectual framework necessary for engineering and managing an international reverse supply chain from a sustainability perspective. The PIs take a case study approach using the reverse supply chain for personal computers in the U.S. The research consists of three components. The first component consists of a material flows analysis to understand the global reach of the end-of-life computers from the U.S. The analysis will stimulate methodological development due to the lack of supporting data infrastructures addressing used goods and materials for recycling. The second component consists of understanding the environment and development aspects of different paths for this reverse supply chain. A new method/perspective termed Global Paths Analysis will be developed, which traces and assesses environmental, economic, and social characteristics of flows of end-of-life processes through different nations. The third component explores the earth systems engineering of technology systems incorporating both engineering and social/policy contexts. Recycling of electronics receives a great deal of attention from policy-makers and the public, although the mass share of material flows of both toxic and benign substances is small. Despite the focus of attention from governments, non-governmental organizations, and the media, relatively little research has been conducted to inform the broader implications and management strategies of international product/material reverse flows. This project can make a key contribution to the policy and public discourse. The case study of personal computers will also be appealing for educational activities for middle school students as well as undergraduate and graduate students. The educational modules and research results will be disseminated through the Center for Sustainable Engineering.