In the heart of Milan, Italy, at the Politecnico di Milano, Laila El Warraqi and her team are pioneering a digital revolution that could transform how we manage electronic waste and bolster circular economy practices. Their recent research, published in the journal ‘Cleaner Environmental Systems’ (translated as ‘Cleaner Production Systems’), delves into the untapped potential of Digital Twins (DTs) in the electronics lifecycle, offering a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future.
Digital Twins, virtual replicas of physical devices, have been making waves across various industries, but their role in advancing circular economy (CE) initiatives in the electronics sector has remained largely unexplored. El Warraqi’s study aims to change that, providing a comprehensive overview of how DTs can be leveraged to enhance circularity throughout the electronic devices lifecycle.
The research reveals that most current DT implementations overlook CE aspects, primarily due to limited data reuse across lifecycles. “We found that there’s a significant gap in how Digital Twins are currently used,” El Warraqi explains. “They’re not yet fully harnessing their potential to support circular economy practices, particularly in the electronics sector.”
The study presents a systematic literature review, focusing on DT functionalities such as the level of application (component, product, process levels), lifecycle phases supported, and the types of data collected. The findings highlight the need for a more systemic incorporation of DTs into CE workflows.
El Warraqi and her team propose a conceptual scheme of guidelines that optimizes the use of DTs for enhanced circularity. “By leveraging the potentials of Digital Twins, we can provide practical insights for electronics value chain actors in transitioning toward circular practices,” she says.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As electronic devices become increasingly integral to energy systems, from smart grids to renewable energy technologies, the need for effective end-of-life management becomes paramount. DTs can play a crucial role in tracking and managing these devices, ensuring that valuable materials are recovered and reused, and minimizing waste.
The research not only sheds light on the current state of DT applications but also paves the way for future developments. By addressing the identified challenges and incorporating DTs into CE workflows, the electronics industry can move towards a more sustainable and circular future.
As El Warraqi puts it, “This is just the beginning. The potential of Digital Twins in supporting circular economy practices is vast, and we’re only starting to scratch the surface.” With ongoing advancements in digital technologies, the future of electronic waste management looks increasingly promising, thanks to the pioneering work of researchers like Laila El Warraqi and her team at the Politecnico di Milano.