Abstract for: Modeling household e-waste recycling behaviors in regulatory and non-regulatory states

The soaring use of electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the United States is critical need for effective recycling practices. The objective of this study is to understand the current structures of EOL LIB reverse supply chains in the U.S. It focuses on analyzing consumer behavior, regulatory policies at state and national levels and their repercussions on EOL LIB collection. The evaluation of LIB collection from households to e-waste collection sites is carried out at the census tract level by leveraging spatially explicit agent-based model and system dynamics modeling methodologies. The model was developed for the states of New York and Massachusetts. This model considered distance matrices and socio-economic and it included recycling collection events aimed at optimizing collection rates. In NY, it was found that these events would lead to a 23% average increase in recycling activities compared to the base case scenario. However, in MA, the collection events initially boosted engagement, had no significant long-term impacts on recycling participation rate.