Sophie Bernard contributes to a Protégez-Vous article on the lifecycle of electronic waste

The contribution of Sophie Bernard, Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, CIRANO Researcher and Fellow, and Principal Investigator of the Sustainable Development and Agri-Food theme, is featured in a Protégez-Vous article examining the path taken by discarded electronic devices.

In the article, she points out the lack of available information regarding the actual quantities of materials recovered during electronic device recycling, an opacity that limits the assessment of the sector’s environmental performance. She also discusses issues related to the international trade of electronic waste, including exports to developing countries where treatment practices may raise significant social and environmental concerns.

The article also highlights possible avenues for reducing pressure on recycling systems, such as extending the lifespan of devices and limiting the purchase of new equipment.

Read the full article in Protégez-Vous