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http://dx.doi.org/10.4491/KSEE.2017.39.9.527

Assessment of the Potential Environmental Impact of Smart Phone using LCA Methodology  

Heo, Young-chai (Samsung Electronics)
Bae, Dae-sik (Samsung Electronics)
Oh, Chi-young (Samsung Electronics)
Suh, Young-jin (Samsung Electronics)
Lee, Kun-mo (Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ajou University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers / v.39, no.9, 2017 , pp. 527-533 More about this Journal
Abstract
Environmental concern about smart phone is growing because it has short product life span while having intensive production technology and cost. In this study environmental impact of the smart phone is quantified using the LCA methodology based on the ISO 14040 series standards. The assessment considers potential environmental impacts across the whole life cycle of the smart phone including; pre-manufacturing; manufacturing; distribution; product use; and end-of-life stages. The pre-manufacturing stage is the most dominant life cycle stage causing the highest environmental impacts among all 10 impact categories assessed. The global warming impacts of the smart phone in the pre-manufacturing, distribution, use, manufacturing, and end-of-life stages were 52.6% 23.9%, 15.7%, 7.0%, and 0.8%, respectively. Sensitivity of the life cycle impact assessment results to the system boundary definition and assumptions made were quite high. Three components of the smart phone, PCB, battery, and display module were identified as the key components causing majority of the potential environmental impact in the pre-manufacturing stage. As such the slim and light-weight design and the use of environmental friendly materials are important design factors for reducing the environmental impact of the smart phone.
Keywords
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Smart Phone; Environmental Impact; Global Warming; Sensitivity Analysis;
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