The use of decision support tools to accelerate the development of circular economic business models for hard disk drive
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PERSPECTIVE The use of decision support tools to accelerate the development of circular economic business models for hard disk drives and rare-earth magnets
Kali Frost , Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 500 Central Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA Hongyue Jin, Department of Systems & Industrial Engineering, University of Arizona, 1127 East James E. Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA William Olson, ASM International, 3440 E University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA Mark Schaffer, International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), 3000 RDU Center Drive, Suite 220, Morrisville, NC 27560, USA Gary Spencer, Geodis Reverse Logistics, 1701 North St, Endicott, NY 13760, USA Carol Handwerker, Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 500 Central Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, 701 West Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA Address all correspondence to Carol Handwerker at [email protected] (Received 18 February 2020; accepted 8 June 2020)
ABSTRACT A case study of hard disk drives (HDDs) and rare-earth magnets is presented to show the use of decision support tools to identify and assess the barriers and opportunities for circular business models. Pilot demonstration projects, which showcased HDD circular recovery strategies, were useful as a low-risk opportunity for business model experimentation and to build trust among key supply chain actors. A case study of hard disk drives and rare-earth magnets is presented to show the use of decision support tools (DSTs) to assess the complex interaction of variables that must be considered when demonstrating the viability of circular business models (CBMs). A mix of quantitative and qualitative DSTs such as life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, Ostrom’s Framework for social-ecological systems, decision trees, and others were implemented by the iNEMI Value Recovery Project team to overcome many of the identified barriers to circular economy. The DSTs were used to guide stakeholder coordination, create and share environmental, logistical and financial data, and generate decision-making flowcharts which promote circular economic strategies. Demonstration projects were used as a low-risk opportunity for business model experimentation and to build trust among key supply chain actors. The tools highlighted by this case study could be useful for establishing or expanding CBMs for other electronic products or components, especially components containing critical materials. Keywords: circular economy; critical materials; rare-earths; recovery; reuse; recycling; sustainability; supply chain; life cycle assessment
Introduction
DISCUSSION POINTS • Success of circular business models rely on the creation and sharing of essential environmental, technological, logistical, and financial data among key supply chain actors. • A collaborative framework guided stakeholder processes ensuring early alignment of values and trust-building, which was a vital component for de
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