PAPER ON E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

AUTHORS: Chakkaravarthi V Kannan S

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract: Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the rapidly growing problems of the world. Electronic and Electrical waste, popularly known as E-waste products, do not decompose or rot away. E-waste comprises of a multitude of components, some containing toxic substances that can have an adverse impact on human health and the environment if not handled properly. India is expected to be one of the largest consumers of electronic goods in the world in the coming years. In India, ewaste management assumes greater significance not only due to the generation of its own e-waste but also because of the dumping of e-waste from developed countries. This is coupled with India's lack of appropriate infrastructure and procedures for its disposal and recycling. . Many of these products can be reused, refurbished or recycled in an environmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem. This paper highlights the hazards of e-wastes, the significance of e-waste management, steps taken by Indian government to control improper recycling and options that can be executed.

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

Introduction: The twentieth century marked the beginning of use of equipments like radio, television and a ground breaking discovery - the first computer. Innovation and development in the field of science and technology and an open global market resulted in availability of a range of products at affordable prices, changing the very lifestyle of societies. New electronic appliances have infiltrated every aspect of our daily lives, providing society with more comfort, health and security, with easy and faster information acquisition and exchange. Rapid growth of electronic industry, combined with rapid product obsolescence and discarded electronics is now the fastest growing waste fraction that contributes to the municipal waste. Solid waste management, which is already a massive task in India, is becoming more complicated by the invasion of e-waste, particularly computer waste. E-waste from developed countries finds an easy way into developing countries in the name of free trade further complicating the problems associated with waste management. Almost 1,100 tons of e-waste is produced in India every day. Only 10 tons are treated and the number may double or triple in two or three years if a firm law is not in place. Because there is no separate e-waste landfill the situation is all the more alarming.

E-waste: Electronic waste (e-waste) refers to the disposal of broken or obsolete electronic components and materials. E-waste generally consists of obsolete electronic devices such as DVDs, CDs, floppies, tapes, televisions, mobile phones and electronic components including chips, processors, mother boards, printed circuit boards and industrial electronics. It is both valuable as a source of secondary raw material, and toxic if treated and discarded improperly. Effects of E-waste: Electronic appliances consist of hundreds of different components that are useful as well as human life. Silver, platinum, copper are some of the valuable materials which turns recycle of E-waste into a rewarding business opportunity. On the other, recycling of electronic constituents like lead, cadmium, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), mercury etc are known to have serious human health concerns. Inhaling or handling such substances and being in contact with them on a regular basis can damage the brain, nervous system, lungs, kidneys and the reproductive system. Working in poorly-ventilated enclosed areas without masks and technical expertise results in exposure to dangerous and slow-poisoning chemicals. Due to lack of awareness, workers are risking their health and environment as well. Items that are discarded with other household garbage destroy the vital components of the ecosystem.

 Primitive recycling or disposal of e-waste to landfills and incinerators causes irreversible environmental damage by polluting water and soil, and contaminating air.

Status of India: In India, e-waste management assumes greater significance because of the dumping of e-waste from developed countries. Information and telecom fastest growing industry PC sales crossed 7.3 million units in 2007-08. Growing 16%; installed base of over 25 million units No organized collection system Cellular subscriber up by 96.86% over last year; Installed base to cross 300 million by 2010 E-waste recycling is presently concentrated in the informal (unorganized) sector Consumer electronics market growing at 13-15% annually ; 120 million installed base of TVs Illegal recycling operations All the above factors contribute to E-waste of India. The top states in order of highest contribution to WEEE (Waste of electrical and electronic equipments) include Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, and Gujarat. The ranked list of cities as WEEE generators are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad (IRGSSA).
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Government contribution to E-waste management: The E-waste Guide, India - An Initiative of the IndoGermanSwiss Partnership [Ministry of Environment and Forests, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs] It is designed to serve as an information resource on ewaste as well as a common collaborative work platform for stakeholders. National Solid Waste Association of India (NSWAI) - A leading professional non-profit organization deals with managing solid-waste and also with toxic and hazardous waste, biomedical waste in India. It was formed in 1996. Toxics Link - A Delhi-based environment activist group actively involved in creating public awareness on environmental issues through publications, reports, articles and environment news

Conclusion/ Suggestion To Government: Governments should set up regulatory agencies in each district, to monitor the illegal or improper recycling. Collect basic information on the materials from manufacturers, processors and importers and to maintain an inventory of these materials. The information should include toxicity and potential harmful effects. Encourage beneficial reuse of "e-waste" and encouraging business activities that use waste. Educate e-waste generators on reuse/recycling options Governments should enforce strict regulations and heavy fines levied on industries, which do not practice waste prevention and recovery in the production facilities. Building of consumer awareness through public awareness campaigns is a crucial point that can attribute to a new responsible kind of consumerism.

To Producers: Utilize technology sharing particularly for manufacturing and de manufacturing. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers should undertake the responsibility of recycling/disposal of their own products Companies can and should adopt waste minimization techniques, which will make a significant reduction in the quantity of e-waste generated
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To consumers: Donating electronics for reuse, which extends the lives of valuable products. While buying electronic products, opting for those that are made with fewer toxic constituents. Prefer recycled content. Use minimal packaging and offer leasing or take back options. Handover the waste electronic materials to the nearby shops that collects such products instead of throwing it to the lands.

References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in http://envfor.nic.in http://toxipedia.org http://njmr.in http://www.toxicslink.org