A Systems Approach to Understanding the Environmental Fate and Impacts of Electronic Waste

The rapid increase in the production and consumption of consumer electronics such as mobile phones and laptops has created a significant environmental challenge. The UK generates around 6 million tonnes of electronic waste annually, among the highest per capita rates globally, yet less than a third is recycled. Valuable metals such as gold and copper are lost, while hazardous substances, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, are released into soils, water, and the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to resource depletion, pollution, and ecosystem degradation, however their pathways and long-term environmental implications remain poorly understood.

This project aims to improve scientific understanding of the environmental fate and impacts of materials and pollutants associated with electronic waste across their life cycle. Using a systems-based environmental modelling approach, the research will integrate material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, and data-driven modelling to quantify the movement and transformation of critical and hazardous elements from production to end-of-life management. The project will assess how alternative waste treatment and circular economy interventions influence environmental fluxes, pollution risks, and resource sustainability under different scenarios. Experimental work will be undertaken to validate model assumptions and characterise pollutant behaviour in relevant environmental media.

The research will provide new insight into the interactions between resource use, pollution, and ecosystem health, generating evidence to guide sustainable environmental management and policy. The PhD candidate will develop interdisciplinary expertise spanning environmental science, sustainability assessment, and data analytics, preparing them to address complex environmental challenges in the transition to a circular economy.