Due to potential environmental, resource and health problems associated with waste, waste minimisation is a prioritised waste management strategy in many countries. Producer responsibility policies promote waste minimisation by stipulating separate collection and recycling of particular waste streams. In addition, a purpose of the policy is to encourage product development that reduces waste generation and improves recyclability. It is sometimes assumed that the financial responsibility assigned to producers for collection and recycling of their end-of-life products will instigate waste minimising product development in order to reduce costs. However, this view has also been contested. Following the adoption of the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) all EU member states have to implement producer responsibility for WEEE. Taking a qualitative multiple case study approach, this study explores company responses to the costs of existing national producer responsibility policies for WEEE in relation product development. The purpose is to inform policy-making on the effectiveness of producer responsibility charges in achieving waste minimising product development. The study comprises both large companies and SMEs in the lighting equipments sector. It also includes companies in EU member states without producer responsibility for WEEE in order to see if there are any differences in waste-minimising product design among countries and if national policies have an impact beyond national borders. Economic principles and previous research findings on ecodesign make up the analytical framework for the study. Quantitative data on cost-benefits of ecodesign and waste minimisation achievements were scarce. However, the company responses show that the costs imposed on the producers by the WEEE policy have had little effect on product development so far. The costs can generally be transferred to customers via product prices. The price increases were generally small and without any negative effects on competitiveness. Other drivers such as bans on certain substances, environmental industry product declarations, commercial advantages including direct customer demands from for instance public procurers, are more effective.

Nesta tese é apresentado um novo método de desmontagem das placas de circuito impresso obsoletas ou defeituosas, provenientes de resíduos de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos, para aplicação no processo de reciclagem. A desmontagem tem por objetivo segregar a PCI para que o material reciclado apresente maior pureza, bem como facilitar as etapas posteriores no processo de reciclagem. A desmontagem proposta é classificada como automática, simultânea e destrutiva. O método apresentado não requer o uso de tecnologias avançadas e de alto custo. Para aplicação deste método foi desenvolvido um protótipo que utiliza aquecimento do ar para derretimento da solda e força centrífuga para remoção dos componentes. O desenho deste equipamento permite a separação da PCI em 3 partes distintas: substrato, solda e componentes eletrônicos. Para a desmontagem no protótipo foram usadas placas marrons de fontes de alimentação, e placas verdes de memórias tipo RAM, com substrato de fenolite e de fibra de vidro respectivamente. A desmontagem foi realizada com sucesso em ambos os casos. Para as placas pesadas ou marrons, a faixa de operação que apresentou maior taxa de recuperação de solda (entre 2,2 e 2,8% do peso da PCI) e de componentes (entre 60 e 80% do peso da PCI) situa-se entre 200 e 206°C e 900 rpm. Para placas leves ou verdes, a desmontagem deve se situar entre 210 e 225°C e 900 rpm, sendo a quantidade de solda recuperada inferior a 1% e a de componentes aproximadamente 32% do peso da PCI. A liga de solda recuperada dos dois tipos de placas possui contaminação abaixo de 3%, teor semelhante à da borra proveniente de processos industriais de soldagem e que é utilizada como matéria prima. / In this work, is presented a new method for disassembly of obsolete or defective printed circuit board, from waste of electrical and electronic equipmente, for use in recycling. Disassembly objetives separate PCB to achives purer recycled material as well facilited the subsequent step in recycling process. Proposed disassembly is classified as automatic, simultaneous and destructive. The presented method doesn\'t required the use of advanced and expensives technologies. For this method, a prototype was developed. It utilizes centrifugal force and air heating for solder melting and components removal. Design of the prototype allows separation of PCB in 3 parts: substrate, solder and electronics components. Very low grades boards of paper laminated phenolic resins, from power supply of computers was used, as well as very high grade boards from RAM memory, made of fiberglass. Disassembly was sucessfully for both cases. For very low grade boards, operation range which has a greater amount of recovered solder (between 2,2 and 2,8% of weight of PCB) and components (between 60 and 80% of weight of PCB) is inside the range of temperature of 200 and 206°C and 900 rpm. For very high grade boards, disassembly is inside the range of temperature of 210 and 225°C and 900 rpm, with quantity of recovered solder under 1% and components aproximatelly 32% of weight of the PCB. Recovery solder for the two kinds of PCB has a contamination under 3%, similar to spare from industrial welding process, used as input in the production of new solders.

Nesta tese é apresentado um novo método de desmontagem das placas de circuito impresso obsoletas ou defeituosas, provenientes de resíduos de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos, para aplicação no processo de reciclagem. A desmontagem tem por objetivo segregar a PCI para que o material reciclado apresente maior pureza, bem como facilitar as etapas posteriores no processo de reciclagem. A desmontagem proposta é classificada como automática, simultânea e destrutiva. O método apresentado não requer o uso de tecnologias avançadas e de alto custo. Para aplicação deste método foi desenvolvido um protótipo que utiliza aquecimento do ar para derretimento da solda e força centrífuga para remoção dos componentes. O desenho deste equipamento permite a separação da PCI em 3 partes distintas: substrato, solda e componentes eletrônicos. Para a desmontagem no protótipo foram usadas placas marrons de fontes de alimentação, e placas verdes de memórias tipo RAM, com substrato de fenolite e de fibra de vidro respectivamente. A desmontagem foi realizada com sucesso em ambos os casos. Para as placas pesadas ou marrons, a faixa de operação que apresentou maior taxa de recuperação de solda (entre 2,2 e 2,8% do peso da PCI) e de componentes (entre 60 e 80% do peso da PCI) situa-se entre 200 e 206°C e 900 rpm. Para placas leves ou verdes, a desmontagem deve se situar entre 210 e 225°C e 900 rpm, sendo a quantidade de solda recuperada inferior a 1% e a de componentes aproximadamente 32% do peso da PCI. A liga de solda recuperada dos dois tipos de placas possui contaminação abaixo de 3%, teor semelhante à da borra proveniente de processos industriais de soldagem e que é utilizada como matéria prima. / In this work, is presented a new method for disassembly of obsolete or defective printed circuit board, from waste of electrical and electronic equipmente, for use in recycling. Disassembly objetives separate PCB to achives purer recycled material as well facilited the subsequent step in recycling process. Proposed disassembly is classified as automatic, simultaneous and destructive. The presented method doesn\'t required the use of advanced and expensives technologies. For this method, a prototype was developed. It utilizes centrifugal force and air heating for solder melting and components removal. Design of the prototype allows separation of PCB in 3 parts: substrate, solder and electronics components. Very low grades boards of paper laminated phenolic resins, from power supply of computers was used, as well as very high grade boards from RAM memory, made of fiberglass. Disassembly was sucessfully for both cases. For very low grade boards, operation range which has a greater amount of recovered solder (between 2,2 and 2,8% of weight of PCB) and components (between 60 and 80% of weight of PCB) is inside the range of temperature of 200 and 206°C and 900 rpm. For very high grade boards, disassembly is inside the range of temperature of 210 and 225°C and 900 rpm, with quantity of recovered solder under 1% and components aproximatelly 32% of weight of the PCB. Recovery solder for the two kinds of PCB has a contamination under 3%, similar to spare from industrial welding process, used as input in the production of new solders.

It is quite complicated to evaluate the hazardous waste production and management because the terminology is inconsistent and the legislation differs across countries. This makes it very difficult to compare data among countries and even within the same one. Hence the same data may vary by several tens of percent if they are generated according to different directives. This work deals with evaluation of the production of hazardous waste belonging to the group 20 in Catalogue of wastes. The total production of the hazardous waste from municipalities and citizens (households) is evaluated over a period 2008 - 2011 and the production in the capital city of Prague is for a term of 2006 - 2012. All the types of hazardous waste of the group 20 in Catalogue of wastes cannot be treated individually, due to their high number, and therefore they were arranged into seven groups, which were further processed statistically. The dominant component in both test cases is paint, the total production contains also big amount of electrical waste, fluorescent lamps and batteries. An important part of this work is to compare the composition of household waste originating from three different types of installations - housing estates, mixed and rural. Contrary to my original expectations, the most hazardous waste comes...

Nas últimas décadas houve um incremento do uso de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos, que têm vida útil determinada por vários fatores, como o porte de equipamento e o comportamento do usuário, por exemplo. Quando estes equipamentos e seus acessórios são descartados tornam-se resíduos de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos (REEE). O objetivo desta tese é selecionar variáveis a serem utilizadas como base de um modelo de previsão de demanda para os REEE. O método de pesquisa adotado foi a pesquisa exploratória combinada com a pesquisa conclusiva, utilizando abordagens de caráter qualitativo e quantitativo. A parte qualitativa utiliza como técnicas de pesquisa a revisão bibliográfica, a revisão sistemática, o grupo focado e as entrevistas. Já em relação à parte quantitativa foram utilizados questionários, ferramentas estatísticas (gráficos e coeficiente de correlação posto-ordem de Spearman) e o método AHP. Foram elaborados cinco artigos científicos, que atingindo objetivos específicos, contribuem para o objetivo geral. O primeiro artigo visava obter informações sobre métodos e ferramentas utilizados para realizar a previsão de demanda de REEE. O segundo artigo pretendia delinear o cenário atual dos REEE do ponto de vista das responsabilidades dos stakeholders no processo de logística reversa. Os riscos e oportunidades decorrentes dos REEE foram abordados no artigo 3, fornecendo informações para o cenário do ponto de vista social, ambiental e econômico. Já o artigo 4 focou nas indústrias de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos do RS e buscou informações sobre a forma de produção, a composição dos produtos e ações destas indústrias para implantação do sistema de logística reversa para os REEE. No último artigo foi definido um conjunto de 21 variáveis que influenciam na logística reversa dos REEE e foi realizada a priorização destas variáveis. Como resultado, foram selecionadas 7 variáveis: estimativa de vida útil do equipamento (1º); Disponibilização de pontos de coleta de REEE (2o); Existência de um acordo setorial (3º); Número de equipamentos vendidos (4º); Incentivos para empresas de reciclagem/gerenciadoras de REEE na região (5º); Existência de empresas de reciclagem ou gerenciadoras de REEE na região (6º); Distância dos pontos de coleta de REEE (7º). / In recent decades there has been an increase in the use of electrical and electronic equipment that have life cycles defined by several factors such as the size of the equipment and user behavior, for example. When this equipment and its accessories are disposed, they become waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The aim of this doctoral dissertation is to select variables to be used as basis for a demand forecasting model for WEEE. The research method adopted combined exploratory research and conclusive research, with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The following research techniques were used in the qualitative part: literature review, systematic review, focus group and interviews. Regarding the quantitative part, the following techniques were used: questionnaires, statistical tools (graphs and the Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient) and the AHP method. Five scientific articles were written, which contributed to the general objective by reaching specific objectives. The first article aimed at obtaining information on methods and tools used to carry out demand forecasting of WEEE. The second article intended to describe the current scenario of WEEE from the perspective of the stakeholders’ responsibility in the process of reverse logistics. The risks and opportunities resulting from WEEE were the theme of the third article, which provided information about the scenario from a social, environmental and economic point of view. The fourth article focused on the factories of electrical and electronic equipment of Rio Grande do Sul, and collected information on the product composition and production methods of such factories, and their actions to implement a system of reverse logistics for WEEE. The last article defined a set of 21 variables that influence the reverse logistics of WEEE, and arranged these variables in order of priority. As a result, seven variables were selected: estimate of life cycle of equipment (1st); Availability of WEEE collection points (2nd); Existence of a sector agreement (3rd); Number of equipment sold (4th); Incentives to WEEE recycling/managing companies in the area (5th); Existence of WEEE recycling or managing companies in the area (6th); Distance between WEEE collection points (7th).

O avanço tecnológico e o crescente processo de industrialização vêm progressivamente interferindo e alterando a dinâmica da natureza. Esse avanço, principalmente a partir do século XVIII, colocou definitivamente os interesses das sociedades humanas de um lado e a preservação do meio natural de outro. Muito tempo se passou até que o homem começasse a perceber que o desenvolvimento trazia, além de conforto, praticidade e comodidade, impactos depredatórios à natureza. Nesse cenário, a evolução da eletroeletrônica, mesmo sendo considerado um processo de desenvolvimento “limpo”, também contribui com elementos nocivos ao meio ambiente. A presente pesquisa procurou verificar se a educação ambiental, oferecida pelo Governo do Distrito Federal, no âmbito da Secretaria de Estado de Educação do Distrito Federal (SEDF), conduz a participação dos estudantes e dos professores na busca de soluções para os problemas ambientais referentes aos Resíduos Eletroeletrônicos (REEE). Para que o objetivo da pesquisa fosse alcançado, foram produzidos quatro artigos sobre os resíduos eletroeletrônicos gerados das escolas e a questão da Educação Ambiental (EA) nas escolas públicas do Distrito Federal (DF). Os resultados sugerem que as iniciativas de educação ambiental desenvolvidas pelas escolas públicas do governo no Distrito Federal ainda não são capazes de modificar os hábitos do cidadão, que contribui de forma insatisfatória para a melhoria da qualidade do ambiente; e que é necessária uma reestruturação do ensino como um todo, pois do contrário, não somente a questão dos REEE será possível de se desenvolver nas escolas, como nenhum outro tema poderá ser tratado de forma eficiente e eficaz, junto a uma geração de sociedade futura com consciência crítica tanto em questões ambientais como em outras questões relacionadas, como, cultural, social, política e principalmente econômica, com a situação do consumo consciente. / Technological advances and the increasing industrialization are gradually interfering and changing the dynamics of nature. This advance, especially from the eighteenth century, driven by capitalism definitely placed the interests of human societies on the one hand and the preservation of the natural environment on the other. Much time has passed until the man began to realize that the development brought, in addition to comfort, practicality and convenience, depredators impacts to nature. In this scenario, the evolution of the electronics, even being considered a development mechanism "clean" also contributes to harmful elements to the environment. This study examined whether the environmental education offered by the government of the Federal District, under the SEDF leads to the participation of students and teachers in finding solutions to environmental problems related to WEEE. For the purpose of the research was achieved were produced four articles on electronic waste – WEEE generated's schools and the issue of environmental education - EA in the public schools of the Federal District - DF. The results suggest that environmental education initiatives by public government schools in the Federal District are not able to change the citizen's habits, which contributes poorly to the improvement of environmental quality; and it is necessary a restructuring of education as a whole, otherwise, not only the issue of WEEE will be possible to develop in schools, as no other issue can be dealt with efficiently and effectively. Next to a generation of future society with critical awareness on environmental issues, as in other issues as cultural, social, political and especially economic, with the situation of conscious consumption.

The work in this thesis aims to develop new systems for the more efficient recovery of metals from aqueous solution using solvent extraction. Understanding the underlying coordination chemistry to improve hydrometallurgical methods is crucial in order to meet the demand for critical metals for use in modern technologies, reduce the environment impact of recovery from primary mining deposits, and recycle valuable metals from secondary sources (e.g. mobile phones, WEEE). Chapter 2 examines the use of a simple primary amide that can load gold and other chloridometalates into a toluene phase through an outer-sphere mechanism. The loading of a variety of metals/metalloids from varying [HCl] is reported, highlighting the selectivity for gold over other metalates and chloride due to a combination of speciation of those metals and the relative ease of extraction of lower charged species (the Hofmeister bias). The advantages in loading/stripping, toxicity and mass balances compared to commercial alternatives are also outlined, in particular the efficacy of separating gold from a mixed-metal solution representative of those found in WEEE. The mode of action of the primary amide (and secondary/tertiary analogues) is determined using slope analysis, Karl-Fischer water determinations, NMR and MS measurements, EXAFS and computational models. The extraction occurs by the dynamic assembly of multiple amide ligands and gold metalates to generate supramolecular clusters held together through hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions. The secondary and tertiary amides are found to be able to extract monoanionic metalates in a similar manner as the primary amide, although clustering occurs to a lesser extent. Whilst the secondary and tertiary amides are stronger gold extractants than the primary amide, they are not observed to be as successful when extracting from a mixed-metal solution. Instead, a 3rd phase is seen to form from these amides and some metals at higher metal concentrations, which removes the ligands from solution and prevents successful extraction of gold. Chapter 3 builds on an observation in Chapter 2 that a synergistic combination of a simple primary amide and an amine can extract chloridometalates that are typically difficult to solvent extract, such as iridium(III) and rhodium(III). These metalates, complexes with increased anionic charge and varying speciation in aqueous solution, are typically recovered last in a metal production flowsheet. The combination of a primary amide and primary amine was found to be the most effective at extracting the chloridometalates; the strength and strippability of the system is of particular interest in the context of rhodium(III) recovery as this metal currently is not extracted in commercial circuits. The mode of action of the system is investigated using similar techniques to Chapter 2, and reveals that the amine is the more important component of the synergistic mixture compared to the amide, with an improvement in extraction observed when both components are present. Rh(III) is extracted as a mixture of RhCl6 3– and RhCl5(OH2)2– complexes, dependent on the initial [HCl] concentration and the age of the initial aqueous solution. Chapter 4 investigates the feasibility of the recovery of lanthanides as anionic metalates from chloride-, nitrate- or sulfate-rich feeds. Reagents that have been found to be strong chloridometalate extractants, fragmented versions of these, and ‘classic’ commercial outer-sphere reagents are studied. The variations of ligand, anion type and concentration, proton concentration and solvent for the extraction of lanthanides is investigated. However, despite these permutations, no extraction of lanthanides is observed due to the difficulty in extracting more highly hydrated species and the lack of stability of the metalates in aqueous solution.

Nas últimas décadas houve um incremento do uso de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos, que têm vida útil determinada por vários fatores, como o porte de equipamento e o comportamento do usuário, por exemplo. Quando estes equipamentos e seus acessórios são descartados tornam-se resíduos de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos (REEE). O objetivo desta tese é selecionar variáveis a serem utilizadas como base de um modelo de previsão de demanda para os REEE. O método de pesquisa adotado foi a pesquisa exploratória combinada com a pesquisa conclusiva, utilizando abordagens de caráter qualitativo e quantitativo. A parte qualitativa utiliza como técnicas de pesquisa a revisão bibliográfica, a revisão sistemática, o grupo focado e as entrevistas. Já em relação à parte quantitativa foram utilizados questionários, ferramentas estatísticas (gráficos e coeficiente de correlação posto-ordem de Spearman) e o método AHP. Foram elaborados cinco artigos científicos, que atingindo objetivos específicos, contribuem para o objetivo geral. O primeiro artigo visava obter informações sobre métodos e ferramentas utilizados para realizar a previsão de demanda de REEE. O segundo artigo pretendia delinear o cenário atual dos REEE do ponto de vista das responsabilidades dos stakeholders no processo de logística reversa. Os riscos e oportunidades decorrentes dos REEE foram abordados no artigo 3, fornecendo informações para o cenário do ponto de vista social, ambiental e econômico. Já o artigo 4 focou nas indústrias de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos do RS e buscou informações sobre a forma de produção, a composição dos produtos e ações destas indústrias para implantação do sistema de logística reversa para os REEE. No último artigo foi definido um conjunto de 21 variáveis que influenciam na logística reversa dos REEE e foi realizada a priorização destas variáveis. Como resultado, foram selecionadas 7 variáveis: estimativa de vida útil do equipamento (1º); Disponibilização de pontos de coleta de REEE (2o); Existência de um acordo setorial (3º); Número de equipamentos vendidos (4º); Incentivos para empresas de reciclagem/gerenciadoras de REEE na região (5º); Existência de empresas de reciclagem ou gerenciadoras de REEE na região (6º); Distância dos pontos de coleta de REEE (7º). / In recent decades there has been an increase in the use of electrical and electronic equipment that have life cycles defined by several factors such as the size of the equipment and user behavior, for example. When this equipment and its accessories are disposed, they become waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The aim of this doctoral dissertation is to select variables to be used as basis for a demand forecasting model for WEEE. The research method adopted combined exploratory research and conclusive research, with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The following research techniques were used in the qualitative part: literature review, systematic review, focus group and interviews. Regarding the quantitative part, the following techniques were used: questionnaires, statistical tools (graphs and the Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient) and the AHP method. Five scientific articles were written, which contributed to the general objective by reaching specific objectives. The first article aimed at obtaining information on methods and tools used to carry out demand forecasting of WEEE. The second article intended to describe the current scenario of WEEE from the perspective of the stakeholders’ responsibility in the process of reverse logistics. The risks and opportunities resulting from WEEE were the theme of the third article, which provided information about the scenario from a social, environmental and economic point of view. The fourth article focused on the factories of electrical and electronic equipment of Rio Grande do Sul, and collected information on the product composition and production methods of such factories, and their actions to implement a system of reverse logistics for WEEE. The last article defined a set of 21 variables that influence the reverse logistics of WEEE, and arranged these variables in order of priority. As a result, seven variables were selected: estimate of life cycle of equipment (1st); Availability of WEEE collection points (2nd); Existence of a sector agreement (3rd); Number of equipment sold (4th); Incentives to WEEE recycling/managing companies in the area (5th); Existence of WEEE recycling or managing companies in the area (6th); Distance between WEEE collection points (7th).

O avanço tecnológico e o crescente processo de industrialização vêm progressivamente interferindo e alterando a dinâmica da natureza. Esse avanço, principalmente a partir do século XVIII, colocou definitivamente os interesses das sociedades humanas de um lado e a preservação do meio natural de outro. Muito tempo se passou até que o homem começasse a perceber que o desenvolvimento trazia, além de conforto, praticidade e comodidade, impactos depredatórios à natureza. Nesse cenário, a evolução da eletroeletrônica, mesmo sendo considerado um processo de desenvolvimento “limpo”, também contribui com elementos nocivos ao meio ambiente. A presente pesquisa procurou verificar se a educação ambiental, oferecida pelo Governo do Distrito Federal, no âmbito da Secretaria de Estado de Educação do Distrito Federal (SEDF), conduz a participação dos estudantes e dos professores na busca de soluções para os problemas ambientais referentes aos Resíduos Eletroeletrônicos (REEE). Para que o objetivo da pesquisa fosse alcançado, foram produzidos quatro artigos sobre os resíduos eletroeletrônicos gerados das escolas e a questão da Educação Ambiental (EA) nas escolas públicas do Distrito Federal (DF). Os resultados sugerem que as iniciativas de educação ambiental desenvolvidas pelas escolas públicas do governo no Distrito Federal ainda não são capazes de modificar os hábitos do cidadão, que contribui de forma insatisfatória para a melhoria da qualidade do ambiente; e que é necessária uma reestruturação do ensino como um todo, pois do contrário, não somente a questão dos REEE será possível de se desenvolver nas escolas, como nenhum outro tema poderá ser tratado de forma eficiente e eficaz, junto a uma geração de sociedade futura com consciência crítica tanto em questões ambientais como em outras questões relacionadas, como, cultural, social, política e principalmente econômica, com a situação do consumo consciente. / Technological advances and the increasing industrialization are gradually interfering and changing the dynamics of nature. This advance, especially from the eighteenth century, driven by capitalism definitely placed the interests of human societies on the one hand and the preservation of the natural environment on the other. Much time has passed until the man began to realize that the development brought, in addition to comfort, practicality and convenience, depredators impacts to nature. In this scenario, the evolution of the electronics, even being considered a development mechanism "clean" also contributes to harmful elements to the environment. This study examined whether the environmental education offered by the government of the Federal District, under the SEDF leads to the participation of students and teachers in finding solutions to environmental problems related to WEEE. For the purpose of the research was achieved were produced four articles on electronic waste – WEEE generated's schools and the issue of environmental education - EA in the public schools of the Federal District - DF. The results suggest that environmental education initiatives by public government schools in the Federal District are not able to change the citizen's habits, which contributes poorly to the improvement of environmental quality; and it is necessary a restructuring of education as a whole, otherwise, not only the issue of WEEE will be possible to develop in schools, as no other issue can be dealt with efficiently and effectively. Next to a generation of future society with critical awareness on environmental issues, as in other issues as cultural, social, political and especially economic, with the situation of conscious consumption.

Nas últimas décadas houve um incremento do uso de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos, que têm vida útil determinada por vários fatores, como o porte de equipamento e o comportamento do usuário, por exemplo. Quando estes equipamentos e seus acessórios são descartados tornam-se resíduos de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos (REEE). O objetivo desta tese é selecionar variáveis a serem utilizadas como base de um modelo de previsão de demanda para os REEE. O método de pesquisa adotado foi a pesquisa exploratória combinada com a pesquisa conclusiva, utilizando abordagens de caráter qualitativo e quantitativo. A parte qualitativa utiliza como técnicas de pesquisa a revisão bibliográfica, a revisão sistemática, o grupo focado e as entrevistas. Já em relação à parte quantitativa foram utilizados questionários, ferramentas estatísticas (gráficos e coeficiente de correlação posto-ordem de Spearman) e o método AHP. Foram elaborados cinco artigos científicos, que atingindo objetivos específicos, contribuem para o objetivo geral. O primeiro artigo visava obter informações sobre métodos e ferramentas utilizados para realizar a previsão de demanda de REEE. O segundo artigo pretendia delinear o cenário atual dos REEE do ponto de vista das responsabilidades dos stakeholders no processo de logística reversa. Os riscos e oportunidades decorrentes dos REEE foram abordados no artigo 3, fornecendo informações para o cenário do ponto de vista social, ambiental e econômico. Já o artigo 4 focou nas indústrias de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos do RS e buscou informações sobre a forma de produção, a composição dos produtos e ações destas indústrias para implantação do sistema de logística reversa para os REEE. No último artigo foi definido um conjunto de 21 variáveis que influenciam na logística reversa dos REEE e foi realizada a priorização destas variáveis. Como resultado, foram selecionadas 7 variáveis: estimativa de vida útil do equipamento (1º); Disponibilização de pontos de coleta de REEE (2o); Existência de um acordo setorial (3º); Número de equipamentos vendidos (4º); Incentivos para empresas de reciclagem/gerenciadoras de REEE na região (5º); Existência de empresas de reciclagem ou gerenciadoras de REEE na região (6º); Distância dos pontos de coleta de REEE (7º). / In recent decades there has been an increase in the use of electrical and electronic equipment that have life cycles defined by several factors such as the size of the equipment and user behavior, for example. When this equipment and its accessories are disposed, they become waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The aim of this doctoral dissertation is to select variables to be used as basis for a demand forecasting model for WEEE. The research method adopted combined exploratory research and conclusive research, with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The following research techniques were used in the qualitative part: literature review, systematic review, focus group and interviews. Regarding the quantitative part, the following techniques were used: questionnaires, statistical tools (graphs and the Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient) and the AHP method. Five scientific articles were written, which contributed to the general objective by reaching specific objectives. The first article aimed at obtaining information on methods and tools used to carry out demand forecasting of WEEE. The second article intended to describe the current scenario of WEEE from the perspective of the stakeholders’ responsibility in the process of reverse logistics. The risks and opportunities resulting from WEEE were the theme of the third article, which provided information about the scenario from a social, environmental and economic point of view. The fourth article focused on the factories of electrical and electronic equipment of Rio Grande do Sul, and collected information on the product composition and production methods of such factories, and their actions to implement a system of reverse logistics for WEEE. The last article defined a set of 21 variables that influence the reverse logistics of WEEE, and arranged these variables in order of priority. As a result, seven variables were selected: estimate of life cycle of equipment (1st); Availability of WEEE collection points (2nd); Existence of a sector agreement (3rd); Number of equipment sold (4th); Incentives to WEEE recycling/managing companies in the area (5th); Existence of WEEE recycling or managing companies in the area (6th); Distance between WEEE collection points (7th).