SMART TRASH: Study on RFID tags and the recycling industry

Interim Report (D3) SMART 2010/0042

by RAND Europe

Download eBook for Free

FormatFile SizeNotes
PDF file 9.9 MB

Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is linked to waste management and recycling in two complementary ways: as objects, tags contain a variety of materials whose management and recycling is desirable on environmental grounds. These materials vary with the type of tag and their significance will increase as tags become more pervasive. On the other hand, tags can themselves contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling at various stages in the lifecycles of a wide range of products ranging from simple materials to complex objects containing a variety of materials. The study, funded by the European Commission, aims to inform policy making by assessing the environmental impact of the RFID tags themselves as well as the environmental advantages that the use of RFID can provide to product lifecycle management. An integral goal is to identify the associated obstacles and needs for policy action and/or research activity. This Interim Report represents an important deliverable of the project. It presents preliminary findings of our research conducted in the initial phase of the study (February 2011- February 2012). The study, led by RAND Europe and conducted in partnership with the Department of Processing and Recycling at RWTH Aachen University and P3 Ingenieurgesellschaft, applies a number of different quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including systematic literature reviews, key informant interviews, use cases and case study analysis, and scenario development.

Table of Contents

  • Chapter One

    Introduction

  • Chapter Two

    A technical primer on RFID: tags, compositions, recyclability and forecasts

  • Chapter Three

    The background context for assessing the impacts of RFID technology

  • Chapter Four

    RFID tags in the waste processing industry

  • Chapter Five

    Conclusions on the impacts on waste treatment technologies and implications for national waste systems

  • Chapter Six

    Assessment of current and potential use of RFID as a green technology in recycling

  • Chapter Seven

    RFID as a green technology: use case analysis

  • Chapter Eight

    Case studies of RFID as a green technology

  • Chapter Nine

    Interim conclusions and next-phase issues

Research conducted by

This working paper was prepared by RAND Europe for the European Commission DG Information Society and Media.

This report is part of the RAND Corporation Working paper series. RAND working papers are intended to share researchers' latest findings and to solicit informal peer review. They have been approved for circulation by RAND but may not have been formally edited or peer reviewed.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.