📊Executive Summary

The article discusses the life cycle assessment (LCA) of consumer electronics, focusing on the environmental impact of integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). It highlights the importance of recycling ICs and using eco-friendly materials in PCB manufacturing. The findings indicate that the production costs of ICs significantly influence the environmental footprint of devices like smartwatches, while simpler devices like TV remotes are more affected by the substrate materials used. The research suggests that improving the circular economy for electronics is crucial, as a large portion of electronic waste is comprised of PCBs, which often end up in landfills. This has implications for procurement strategies, particularly in sourcing sustainable materials and considering the lifecycle of components....