Predicting WEEE Generation Rates in Jordan Using Population Balance Model

Abstract

Waste generated from electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) is increasing rapidly due to the high demand for appliances, rapid product obsolescence, coupled with rapid economic growth, urbanization and technology advancement. Setting up a proper WEEE management system, which ensures better collection, treatment, recycling and control of transboundary movement of waste is crucial to increasing resource efficiency, improving sustainable production, use and consumption, and promoting the circular economy in Jordan. However, this system requires proper assessment of WEEE generation rates and reliable figures. Estimation of historical and future electric and electronic equipment put on market (EEE POM) and WEEE generation rates in Jordan have been achieved using the population balance model (PBM), logistic growth model (LGM) and Weibull distribution from 2000 to 2050. It is expected that the total disposal of appliances will reach about 1.6 million units (53 kt) in 2022, double this figure by 2044 and hit around 5 million units (175 kt) in 2050, with increasing WEEE generation rates. This is combined with the changing composition of WEEE with time. Thus, a rapid increase of WEEE in the near future is expected; this increase requires close monitoring and immediate response to tackle this hazardous waste.