An innovative model for WEEE recovery network management in accordance with the EU Directives

An increasing interest towards environmental respect is registered in consumers, in managers and in researchers, due to both changing to the sensitivity and guidelines described in technical regulations. In this scenario, the recent European Union (EU) directives 2002/96/CE and 2003/108/CE controlling the management of Wastes of Electric and Electronic Equipments (WEEE) are well-inserted. Particularly, the recovery, remanufacturing and recycling are addressed. Moreover, companies producing Electric and Electronic Equipments (EEE) become responsible for such end of life steps. Hence, great efforts are made to optimize both recovery networks and remanufacturing and recycling processes. In this paper, an innovative model for recovery network management is proposed. Finally, a case study is presented, aimed at integrating theoretical and practical considerations.