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

评估和管理全球逆向供应链的可持续性：个人计算机的案例项目总监Cindy M.Lee，电话：(703)292-5356这项工作的主要目标是从可持续发展的角度开发设计和管理国际逆向供应链所需的知识框架。PIs采用了一种案例研究方法，使用了美国个人电脑的反向供应链。这项研究由三个部分组成。第一部分包括材料流动分析，以了解来自美国的报废计算机的全球影响。由于缺乏处理废旧物品和材料回收的支持性数据基础设施，该分析将促进方法的发展。第二部分包括了解这种逆向供应链不同路径的环境和发展方面。将开发一种名为全球路径分析的新方法/视角，跟踪和评估通过不同国家的临终流程的环境、经济和社会特征。第三部分探讨结合工程和社会/政策背景的技术系统的地球系统工程。电子产品的回收受到了政策制定者和公众的极大关注，尽管有毒和无害物质在物质流动中所占的比例很小。尽管受到各国政府、非政府组织和媒体的关注，但关于国际产品/材料反向流动的更广泛影响和管理战略的研究相对较少。这个项目可以对政策和公共话语做出关键贡献。个人计算机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。教育单元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.