Circular economy strategy based on digital technologies and the S4 framework: a case study on smartphones

ABSTRACT

Smartphones are indispensable tools for daily tasks; nevertheless, their short lifespan of about two years contributes to a disproportionate increase in environmental waste. Although current initiatives explore reusing specific smartphone components, such as metallic parts, the scope of these efforts still needs to be expanded, necessitating more comprehensive strategies to address the growing waste generation. Additionally, end-users play a pivotal role in determining the fate of obsolete smartphones and in adopting sustainable disposal practices to mitigate environmental damage after the devices are no longer useful to them. This proposal describes the scope to obtain a circular economy approach at a macro-level environmental impact. The strategy aims to employ obsolete smartphones while reducing environmental im pacts and facilitating efficient device disposal. The authors employ the S4 framework to support sustainable product development at a macro-level, emphasising sensing, smart, sustainability, and social dimensions. However, it is essential to note that the current solution applies only to smartphones with functional features, including intact displays, operational batteries, accessible cameras and sensors, and functional power systems, obtaining a level three according to the S4 framework, which describes limited human intervention.

KEYWORDS:

• e-waste
• sustainable technology
• sustainability
• life extension
• circularity

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank to the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing and Tecnologico de Monterrey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Javier Maldonado-Romo

Javier Maldonado-Romo received his professional studies in telematics, a master’s degree in computer technology, and Ph.D. in robotic and mechatronic systems from the Instituto Politecnico Nacional de Mexico. He also studied management, focusing on sustainability at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. He is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing at the Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico City. He focuses on developing novel products, processes, and services in digital manufacturing.

Juana Isabel Méndez

Juana Isabel Méndezis an architect with a Master’s in Energy Management and a laureate Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from Tecnologico de Monterrey, with a doctoral stay at UC Berkeley. She is a Certified Energy Manager from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Isabel was awarded the Women Tec 2024 Award - category Environment. She won the best thesis award at TecScience Summit 2023. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing. Her research focuses on building energy simulations and parametric design and tailored gamified dynamic interfaces using AI-based decision systems.

Mario Rojas

Mario Rojas is doing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Development, from Tecnologico de Monterrey. He completed a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Electronic Sciences. Additionally, he received his Ph.D. degree in Engineering Sciences focusing on Robotics and assistive technology from Tecnologico de Monterrey. His research pursuits also encompass human-machine interfaces, artificial intelligence, and sensors.

Luis Montesinos

Luis Montesinos, Assistant Research Professor at Tecnologico de Monterrey, holds Electronics, Image Processing, and Biomedical Engineering degrees. With 20 years of teaching experience, he has directed programs and departments at Tecnológico de Monterrey. A member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers, his work focuses on biomedical signal analysis, health data science, and sustainable healthcare. Recent projects involve machine learning for disease risk assessment and diagnosis. He has authored numerous papers and serves as a reviewer for esteemed journals. Dr. Montesinos is a Senior Member of IEEE, contributing to its Engineering in Medicine and Biology, Signal Processing, and Education Societies.

Pedro Ponce

Pedro Ponce is a control system and automation engineer. He did a master’s and doctoral degree in electrical engineering. His areas of interest are smart grids, microgrids, smart cities, AI, control systems, robotics, manufacturing, power electronics, digital twins, renewable energy, energy management, electric machines, and optimization. He is a research leader in the Institute of Advanced Materials and Sustainable Manufacturing and a professor in the mechatronics department at Tecnologico de Monterrey on the Mexico City campus. Pedro Ponce specializes in control and automation, smart grids, electrical machines, machine learning, soft computing, digital twins, and metaheuristic optimization.

Arturo Molina

Arturo Molina is a distinguished scholar and Director of the Institute of Advanced Material for Sustainable Manufacturing at Tecnologico de Monterrey. With a Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering from Loughborough University of Technology and a University Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Budapest, he has contributed significantly to the field. His research focuses on manufacturing, computer science, and sustainable technologies.