E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

Dabak Amey Shrikant

Dept. of Civil Engg, T.K.I.E.T, Warananagar.

Abstract

“E-waste" is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their
useful life. “E-wastes” are considered dangerous, as certain component of some electronic
products contains materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density.
Discarded computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell
phones, audio equipment and batteries if improperly disposed can lead to many critical problems
to human being and environment. In India, the electronic waste management assumes greater
significance not only due to the generation of our own waste but also dumping of e-waste
particularly computer waste from the developed countries. We should also be concerned with
potential long-term human health and environmental impacts from leaching of heavy metals
from e-waste into ground water.

Many of these products can be reused, refurbished or recycled in an environmentally

sound manner. In industries management of e-waste should begin at the point of generation.
India as a developing country needs simpler, low cost technology keeping in view of maximum
resource recovery in an environmental friendly methodology. This paper highlights the concept,
meaning and hazards of e-wastes, the need for its appropriate management and options that can
be implemented to control E-waste and ultimately the human life and environment.

Keywords: -

1. E-waste
2. electronic products
3. human health and environmental impacts
4. reused, refurbished or recycled
5. management of e-waste
6. simpler, low cost technology
7.

Introduction: -

• Definition of e-waste : -

Electronic waste, popularly known as ‘e-waste’ can be defined as electronic equipments

or products connects with power plug, batteries which have become obsolete due to:
1. Advancement in technology
2. Changes in fashion, style and status
3. Nearing the end of their useful life.
 • Classification of e-waste : -

E-waste encompasses ever growing range of obsolete products classified as

1. Electronic devices such as computers, servers, main frames, monitors, TVs &
display devices
2. Telecommunication devices such as cellular phones & pagers, calculators, audio
and video devices, printers, scanners, copiers and fax machines besides
refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and microwave ovens.
3. Recording devices such as DVDs, CDs, floppies, tapes, printing cartridges,
military electronic waste, automobile catalytic converters.
4. Electronic components such as chips, processors, mother boards, printed circuit
boards, industrial electronics such as sensors, alarms, sirens, security devices,
automobile electronic devices.

• Need of E-Waste Management : -

Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology during the last
century has radically changed people's lifestyle. Although this development has helped the human
race, mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination and pollution. There is an
estimate that the total obsolete computers originating from government offices, business houses,
industries and household is of the order of 2 million nos. Manufactures and assemblers in a single
calendar year, estimated to produce around 1200 tons of electronic scrap.

Even in many countries like United States, United Kingdom, Republic of China, Japan,
Taiwan the modern equipments due to technical advancement are in general use. Hence the
production of e-waste is on mass basis in such advance and developing countries. India also
contributes major part in world’s total e-waste content.

• Indian Scenario : -

These days computer has become most common and widely used gadget in all kinds of
activities ranging from schools, residences, offices to manufacturing industries. E-toxic
components in computers releases highly toxic dioxins & furans when burnt to recover valuable
metals; mercury switches; poly chlorinated biphenyl's (PCB's) present in older capacitors;
transformers; etc. The average 14-inch monitor uses a tube that contains an estimated 2.5 to 4 kgs
of lead. The lead can seep into the ground water from landfills thereby contaminating it. If the
tube is crushed and burned, it emits toxic fumes into the air. The consumers find it convenient to
buy a new computer rather than upgrade the old one due to the changing configuration,
technology and the attractive offers of the manufacturers. At present Bangalore alone generates
about 8000 tones of computer waste annually and in the absence of proper disposal, they find
their way to scrap dealers.
• Sources of E-Waste :-
• E-Waste Deposition: -

• Composition of E-Waste: -
 Table 1: Effects of E-Waste constituent on health.

Source of e-wastes Constituent Health effects

• Damage to central and peripheral nervous systems,
Solder in printed circuit
blood systems and kidney damage.
boards, glass panels and Lead (PB)
gaskets in computer monitors
• Affects brain development of children.
• Toxic irreversible effects on human health.
• Accumulates in kidney and liver.
Chip resistors and
Cadmium (CD) • Causes neural damage.
semiconductors
• Teratogenic.
• Chronic damage to the brain.
Relays and switches, printed
Mercury (Hg)
circuit boards • Respiratory and skin disorders due to bioaccumulation
in fishes.
Burning produces dioxin. It causes

Cabling and computer Plastics • Reproductive and developmental problems;

housing including PVC • Immune system damage;

• Interfere with regulatory hormones

Short term exposure causes:

Front panel of CRTs Barium (Ba) • Muscle weakness;

• Damage to heart, liver and spleen.

• Carcinogenic (lung cancer)
• Inhalation of fumes and dust. Causes chronic
Motherboard Beryllium (Be) beryllium disease or beryllicosis.

• Skin diseases such as warts.

• Management Of E-waste :-

It is estimated that 75% of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to
manage it. These electronic junks lie unattended in houses, offices, warehouses etc. and normally
mixed with household wastes, which are finally disposed off at landfills. This necessitates
implemental management measures. India as a developing country needs simpler, low cost
technology for proper management of E-waste.
 In industries management of e-waste should begin at the point of generation. This can be
done by waste minimization techniques and by sustainable product design. Waste minimization in
industries involves adopting:

• inventory management,
• production-process modification,
• volume reduction,
• Recovery and reuse.

• Management Options :-

Considering the severity of the problem, it is imperative that certain management options
be adopted to handle the bulk e-wastes. Following are some of the management options suggested
for the government, industries and the public.

Responsibilities of the Government:

(i) Government should set up regulatory agencies in each district, which will be coordinating and
consolidating the regulatory functions of the various government authorities regarding hazardous
substances.

(ii) Government should be responsible for providing an adequate system of laws, controls and
administrative procedures for hazardous waste management (Third World Network. 1991).
Existing laws concerning e-waste disposal be reviewed and revamped under this law,

(iii) Government must encourage research into the development and standard of hazardous waste
management, environmental monitoring and the regulation of hazardous waste-disposal.

Responsibility and Role of industries:

1. Generators of wastes should take responsibility to determine the output characteristics of

wastes and if hazardous, should provide management options.

2. All personnel involved in handling e-waste in industries including those at the policy,
management, control and operational levels, should be properly qualified and trained.

3. Companies can and should adopt waste minimization techniques, which will make a significant
reduction in the quantity of e-waste generated and thereby lessening the impact on the
environment.
 Responsibilities of the Citizen:

1. Reuse, in addition to being an environmentally preferable alternative, also benefits society. By

donating used electronics to schools, non-profit organizations, and lower-income families, they
can afford to use equipment that they otherwise could not afford.

2. E-wastes should never be disposed with garbage and other household wastes. These wastes
should be collected at a separate site and from there they should be sent for various processes like
Reuse, Recycling, and Donating etc...

• Conclusion: -

Thus, we have seen that E-waste is going to create lot of problems in future. Hence,E-waste
management is of utmost importance. Its proper management is necessary to minimize its ill
effects on human beings and nature. We have to save our mother earth.

• References :-

1. Freeman M. H. 1989. Standard Handbook of Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal,

McGraw-Hill Company, USA.

2. Third World Network. 1991. Toxic Terror: Dumping of Hazardous Wastes in the Third World,
Third World Network, Malaysia.