The living, the dead, and the obsolete: A characterization of lifetime and stock of ICT products in Denmark

摘要: Abstract Understanding how long information and communications technology (ICT) products are used, when they disposed of, underlying drivers for consumer behavior, play a defining role in the potential success of current future policy strategies on circularity electronics sector. In this study, we explored service life storage stages four types ICT Denmark, namely mobile phones, laptops, tablets, desktop personal computers (PCs), using dynamic material flow analysis (MFA) with sales-stock-lifetime reconciliation capability. Further, characterized stock Denmark its dynamics from 1990 to 2018, extract evidence obsolescence technological shifts affect product life. Results showed that active use analyzed has either stabilized (mobile tablets) or is decreasing (feature PCs). The dead smartphones, laptops tablets continues expand 2018 accounted 30% their combined total stock. highlight shift feature phones smartphones was likely accompanied by drop phone lifetime 3 years around 2 between 2008 2012. Furthermore, our results suggest physical not main driver length life, while intangible qualities may significant role.