Desafios e oportunidades à recicladora urbana de Jacareí-SP como nucleadora de uma cadeia de remanufatura reversa de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos: um estudo de caso

Abstract

Reverse logistics promotes the reinsertion in the market of electro-electronic equipment (EEE) in the end-of-life phase with possibilities of remanufacturing and reuse through recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The research focuses on the reverse remanufactured chain of WEEEs developed by the Recicladora Urbana (RU). It focus on RU because its business has a significant socio-environmental impact and is based on the concept of the Circular Economy. The major objective of the research was to identify the main opportunities and challenges presented to RU as a nucleator of a chain of EEE´s reverse remanufacturing. The present study is qualitative in nature and can be characterized as a case study undertaken with an explanatory approach. In order to meet the purpose of the study, technical visits and interviews were conducted at the RU and at some organizations that integrate the remanufacturing chain of WEEE and end-of-life EEE (Green Eletron, Sinctronics, Coopernova Cotia Recicla and the Secretariat of the Environment of Jacareí). The general objective of the research was to identify the main opportunities and challenges which RU faces as a center of a chain of EEE reverse remanufacturing. To achieve this goal, the following research question was designed: How are the Challenges and Opportunities presented to the Urban Recycler (RU) as the nucleator of a chain of EEE reverse remanufacturing? In the view of the actors playing a role in this chain, both challenges and opportunities to RU are related to the perspective of the passing of the EEE´s sectoral agreement in the Congress. The main challenge to RU, if it continues working as it is at the present time, will be to deal with the likely increase in competition in the recycling of WEEEs. As a major opportunity envisaged to RU, the actors pointed out its hiring by Green Electron as a service provider to this organization. The research identified that inadequate disposal of WEEE may negatively impact the environment. Given the scarcity of material resources and the increase in EEE consumption, it is interesting to study other forms and models for the management of WEEE and end-of-life EEEs, such as the nonlinear concept proposed by the Circular Economy. In the case of EEEs, the sectoral agreement that will be implemented in the coming years will establish targets for the collection and destination of WEEE and EEE at the end of life. This agreement provides for the deployment of 4,500 collection points throughout the country and the reverse flow of 17% of EEEs made available in the market by manufacturers and importers. In this sense, it can be inferred, from the analysis of the information collected in the research, that there is a great potential of market related to the reverse logistics of WEEE and end-of-life EEEs to be still explored in Brazil. The signing of this agreement could generate an important opportunity for the RU, which can be contracted by Green Eletron as a point of collection (service provider), provided that it complies with the requirements for its approval. As the main challenge to be overcome by the RU, after the signing of the sector agreement, we highlight the increase in competition with other companies and cooperatives with similar activities that will enter the recycling market (dismantling) of EEEs, motivated by the benefits and opportunities that will arise.