Evaluating the Sustainability Potential of a White Goods Refurbishment Program Steven Chapot

INTRODUCTION  White Goods?  Quantitative Model & Irish Case Study  Results  Economic & Social Impacts  Questions

WHITE GOODS REFURBISHMENT  What are white goods?  Washing, refrigeration and cooking appliances.  Environmental and economic sustainability of white goods refurbishment. Fig.1: Variety of white good appliances

MODEL  Amortization period of appliance  Optimum time to reuse or purchase new appliance.  Phase 1: Original user  Phase 2: Refurbished appliance user Fig.2: 1.First usage phase, 2.Refurbished appliance, 3.New efficient appliance

CASE STUDY PARAMETERS  27 unique scenarios of Irish washing machine users  First and second hand usage intensity  Ownership period  Appliance rating  Electricity generation Fig.3: Appliance Ratings

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS  A & B rated appliances min 8 years amortization.  Suitable for reuse.  C rated appliances 3 – 9 amortization.  Depends on usage intensity.  D & E rated appliances low amortization period.  Suitable for recycling. Fig.3: Environmental amortization

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS  Economic amortization rates generally longer.  A, B, C and low intensity D appliances suitable for reuse  Reuse of some E rated appliances still appropriate.  3 – 7 amortization period. Fig.4: Economic amortization

IMPACT ON SOCIETY Employment Opportunities:  10,000 tonnes of material employment generation estimates.  1 incinerator plant, 6 landfill, 36 recycling, re-use.  Example: Bryson and Rehab Recycling  10 times more labour per tonne in reuse. Household Finances:  In 2009, 25% of households in arrears.  Difficulty paying for replacement of white goods appliances.  Cheaper second hand model elevates burden.

SUSTAINABILITY OF REFURBISHMENT  Long environmental amortization rates for A and B rated appliances.  High percentage penetration of A rated appliances in market.  Demand crucial to economic sustainability.  55% EU consumer would buy second hand white goods.

CONCULSION  Defined white goods  Defined quantitative model & Irish case study parameters  Analysed results in environmental and economic context  Discussed impact on society  Reviewed sustainability of program

QUESTIONS