ELECTRONIC WASTE (E-Waste) AROUND US
Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the global rising problems in developing countries like India and developed countries. E-waste comprises material that is valuable as well as toxic and has shoddier health and environment impact. This article presents an overview of global e-waste stats, health concerns of e-waste components along with the waste management, recycling, legislative polices and recommendations related to e-waste. Existing and future initiatives of e-waste management have been addressed by explaining the developed countries initiatives towards e-waste management.
The key to success in terms of e-waste management such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) initiatives have been presented in a lucid manner.
E-Waste
Electronic waste commonly known as e-waste is the popular name given to electronic products which no longer can be used. The composition of e-waste is very diverse and differs in products across different categories. It contains more than 1000 different substances, which fall under ‘hazardous’ and ‘non-hazardous’ categories. Broadly, it consists of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, glass, wood and plywood, printed circuit boards (PCB), concrete and ceramics, rubber and other items.
Importance of E-Waste Management
● Solid Waste Management
Because the explosion of growth in the electronics industry, combined with a short product life cycle has led to a rapid escalation in the generation of solid waste.
● Rich Source of Raw Materials
Internationally, only 10–15 percent of the gold in e-waste is successfully recovered while the rest is lost. Ironically, electronic waste contains deposits of precious metal estimated to be between 40 and 50 times richer than ores mined from the earth, according to the United Nations.
● International Movement of Hazardous Waste
The uncontrolled movement of e-waste to countries where cheap labor and primitive approaches to recycling have resulted in health risks to residents exposed to the release of toxins continues to be an issue of concern.
● Toxic Materials
Because old electronic devices contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium, proper processing is essential to ensure that these materials are not released into the environment. They may also contain other heavy metals and potentially toxic chemical flame retardants.
Effects of E-Waste on Environment
● Effects on Soil
When improper disposal of e-waste in regular landfills or in places where it is dumped, both heavy metals and flame retardants can seep directly from the e-waste into the soil, causing contamination of underlying groundwater or contamination of crops that may be planted nearby or in the area in the future. When the soil is contaminated by heavy metals, the crops become vulnerable to absorbing these toxins, which can cause many illnesses and doesn’t allow the farmland to be as productive as possible.
● Effects on Air
Contamination in the air occurs when e-waste is informally disposed of by dismantling, shredding or melting the materials, releasing dust particles or toxins, such as dioxins, into the environment that cause air pollution and damage respiratory health. Also when these wastes are burnt they emit harmful gases. The negative effects on air from informal e-waste recycling are most dangerous for those who handle this waste, but the pollution can extend thousands of miles away from recycling sites.
● Effects on Water
After soil contamination, heavy metals from e-waste, such as mercury, lithium, lead and barium, then leak through the earth even further to reach groundwater. When these heavy metals reach groundwater, they eventually make their way into ponds, streams, rivers and lakes. Through these pathways, acidification and toxification are created in the water, which is unsafe for animals, plants and communities even if they are miles away from a recycling site. Clean drinking water becomes problematic to find.Acidification can kill marine and freshwater organisms, disturb biodiversity and harm ecosystems. If acidification is present in water supplies, it can damage ecosystems to the point where recovery is questionable, if not impossible.
Effects of E-Waste on Human
E-waste contains toxic components that are dangerous to human health, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium and lithium. The negative health effects of these toxins on humans include brain, heart, liver, kidney and skeletal system damage. It can also considerably affect the nervous and reproductive systems of the human body, leading to disease and birth defects.
Challenges related to E-Waste
The challenges related to e-waste are as follows: -
1. High volume of E-waste is generated.
2. Involvement of Child Labor in E-waste recycling workshop.
3. Ineffective Legislation from Government.
4. Lack of infrastructure of recycling and collecting e-waste.
5. Health hazards due to presence of toxic elements.
6. Poor awareness and sensitization in terms of e-waste.
7. High cost of setting up recycling facilities.
8. Lack of research in e-waste management and handling.
Eradication of E-Waste
To eradicate e-waste (including the one shown in picture, i.e., Stereo Cassette Player), one has to take the initiative by themselves, we can eradicate e-waste if we follow these steps: -
1. Re-evaluate before purchasing any electronics if we actually need it.
2. Extend the life of your electronics by buying a case, keeping your device clean, and avoid overcharging the battery.
3. Buy environment Friendly product by looking at its energy star ratings.
4. Donate used electronics to social programs or the one who can’t afford them but need them.
5. Repair and not replace the product if any repairable issue arises.
6. Recycle it and not throw it in anywhere as it contains toxic elements and recycling it would help the environment in return.
Conclusion
Recycling is the key and the only solution to reduce the E-waste and it has environmental benefits at every stage in the life cycle of a computer product, from the raw material from which it is made to its final disposal. Aside from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming, recycling also reduces air and water pollution associated with making new products from raw materials. By utilizing used, unwanted, or obsolete materials as industrial feedstock or for new materials or products, we can do our part to make recycling work.
