應用IO-LCA模型模擬汰役智慧型手機循環經濟 處置策略之環境經濟效益分析

Abstract

全球消費型電子產品銷售額已突破1億歐元，又智慧型手機為其中普及率最高的產品，智慧型手機的主要銷售是來自現有的智慧型手機用戶更換手機，由於通訊技術的迅速發展驅動智慧型手機在軟硬體上不斷升級，導致部分消費者為追求新品而提早汰換手機，此種消費習慣進一步助長廢棄手機的快速累積。 我國消費者的汰役智慧型手機以閒置在家中居多，佔55.3%，其餘則將進行報廢。而報廢手機處置方式以資源回收為主，其中大部分的回收管道與環保署簽署合作協議，簽署業者須回收民眾廢行動通訊裝置並交由甲級廢棄物處理機構進行處理。然而智慧型手機是由金屬合金、玻璃材料和塑膠組合而成，其複雜性導致回收流程更加昂貴耗時，且僅部分組件被有效回收利用，因此回收之外，優化產品設計、延長產品及其零組件壽命為智慧型手機循環中的優先策略。 本研究應用IO-LCA模型 (Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment) 評估現行管理制度及報廢最大潛力下汰役智慧型手機之循環經濟處置策略（手機翻新、回收再生金屬）對產業的經濟與環境效益，進一步檢視不同年份汰役手機翻新之成效。 結果顯示，在經濟層面，翻新手機和回收再生金屬策略皆能減少總需求量，提升國內生產總值和附加價值，翻新手機循環經濟路徑相較於再生金屬而言，除了直接產業的影響外，波及產業較廣也較大，因此推動翻新手機產業時，更需注意國內產業的轉移；在環境層面，翻新手機策略對人體致癌毒性、酸化和人體非致癌毒性的影響較大，而回收再生金屬路徑的全球暖化和生態系統危害較顯著。IO-LCA模型可用以評估汰役智慧型手機循環策略下，產業需求移轉造成對整體經濟、直接衝擊產業及波及產業的經濟與環境影響，使政策制定者能檢視循環經濟策略的有效性與影響度，以利未來策略的擬定與推動。

Smartphones, which are among the most widely adopted consumer electronics products with significant sales volumes. The high sales of smartphones are driven not only by first-time buyers but also by the replacement of existing smartphones, accounting for 78% of sales. Rapid advancements in communication technology drive continuous upgrades in smartphone hardware and software, leading some consumers to replace their phones beforehand in pursuit of newer models, further contributing to the rapid accumulation of waste phones. In Taiwan, the majority of waste mobile phones are stored at home (55.3%), while the rest are disposed. The primary disposal method is recycling, with most recycling channels have signed cooperation agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Signatory operators are required to collect waste mobile phone from consumer and transfer them to vendors licensed by the EPA. However, smartphones contain rare earth metal alloys, glass, and plastics, making recycling processes time-consuming and expensive. Only part of precious metals are effectively recovered during disposal. Therefore, optimizing product design and extending the lifespan of products and components are priority strategies in the smartphone circular economy. This study applies the IO-LCA (Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment) model to evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of end-of-life smartphone circular economy strategies (mobile phone refurbishment and metal recycling) under current management systems and maximum disposal potential, and examines the effectiveness of refurbishing phones of different ages. Results show that, in economic aspect, both smartphone refurbishment and metal recycling strategies reduce total demand and increase GDP and added value. Compared to metal recycling, the phone refurbishment circular economy path has more significant impact on various industries. Therefore, promoting the phone refurbishment industry requires attention to the shifts in domestic industries. In Environment aspect, the phone refurbishment strategy has a greater impact on human carcinogenic toxicity, acidification, and human non-carcinogenic toxicity, whereas the metal recycling path has a more significant impact on global warming and ecosystem damage. The IO-LCA model can be used to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of shifts in industry demand under end-of-life smartphone circular economy strategies, allowing policymakers to assess the effectiveness and impact of these strategies, facilitating the formulation and promotion of future policies.