Project goal
The CIRCELEC project studies how the circular economy of small-scale electronic components, devices and systems can be enhanced. It analyses value chains, material flows, environmental and economic impacts as well as the criticalities of small-scale smart electronics, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and smart watches.
The goal is to recognize efficient and effective, while also sustainable, solutions that enhance the circular economy of small-scale smart electronics. In addition, the project produces new knowledge on the regulatory, data security and material safety-related perspectives of these devices. The project also studies the challenges and possibilities for the recycling and reuse of the plastics used in the electronics.
Publications
Suikkanen, J., Heinonen, T., Horn, S., Judl, J., Räikkönen, M., Sokka, L. (2025) Second-hand smartphones in Finland: Key actors, barriers and enablers. Proceedings for the 6th Product Lifetimes and the Environment Conference, Aalborg, Denmark, 2nd-4th of July 2025. ISBN 97887-7642-060-4. https://journals.aau.dk/index.php/plate2025/article/view/10346
Ruismäki, W., zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, M. and Räikkönen, M. (2025) Material flow analysis of smartphones in Finland: quantifying stocks and flows to enhance sustainability assessments and to support reuse and recycling practices, 14th International Symposium on Environmentally Conscious Design and Inverse Manufacturing, EcoDesign 2025, 12th-14th of November 2025, Tokyo, Japan https://cris.vtt.fi/en/publications/material-flow-analysis-of-smartphones-in-finland-quantifying-stoc/
More coming!