SUMMARY OF KEY CONCEPTS

E-WASTE
E-waste
E-waste is any refuse created by discarded electronic devices and components as well as
substances involved in their manufacture or use. The disposal of electronics is a growing
problem because electronic equipment frequently contains hazardous substances. In a personal
computer, for example, there may be lead in the cathode ray tube (CRT) and soldering
compound, mercury in switches and housing, and cobalt in steel components, among other
equally toxic substances.

E-cycling

E-cycling is the practice of reusing, or distributing for reuse, electronic equipment and
components rather than discarding them at the end of their life cycle. According to Gartner
Group research, over four million computers will be replaced, worldwide, between 2004 and
2006.

Sources of E-waste

Developed countries like US, a few West Asian and European countries, produce enormous
amounts of E-Waste every year. Most of this is exported to developing nations like India, China,
Pakistan, Malaysia etc. This is because those countries produce so much E-Waste themselves,
that exporting it would be much cheaper than managing it themselves. Also, these developing
nations have a workforce willing to dispose off the hazardous waste for very low wages.

Generators of Electronic Waste:

Electronic waste is generated by three major sectors:

1. Individuals and small businesses

2. Large corporations, institutions, and government
3. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)

Hazards of E-waste

· Affect central and peripheral nervous system,

· May cause brain damage,
· Affect circulatory system,
· Show detrimental signs on the growth in plants,
· Affect the kidneys, reproductive and the endocrine system,
· Shows negative effect on brain development.
E-Waste management

Incineration:

Municipal incineration is the largest source of dioxins, and heavy metal contamination.
E-Waste on incineration liberate huge quantities of metals, mostly heavy metals in the slag, fly
ash, flue gas and in the filter cake of an incinerator. For example, more than 90% of Cadmium
put to an incinerator is found in the fly ash and more than 70% of Mercury in the filter cake.
Electro-scrap also contains Copper, which is a catalyst for dioxin formation. Hence the
incineration may result in generation of extremely toxic polybrominated dioxins (PBBDs) and
furans (PBDFs)

Landfills:

Even highly efficient landfills show signs of leaking. Mercury and certain PCBs from
certain electronic devices may leach from landfills, into the soil and groundwater Lead ions
have been found to dissolve when mixed with acid waters, which generally occur in landfills.
Moreover, vaporization of metallic mercury, dimethyl mercury may also occur from landfills.
Uncontrollable fires are a frequent occurrence in many landfills. When exposed to fires, metals
and other chemical substances, such as extremely toxic dioxins and furans are also emitted.

Recycling:

Recycling E-Waste can be a big source of many valuable substances, but they are worth
only if they are extracted by proper means. Most of the methods used today for dismantling
and disposal of electronic waste are causing more contamination and hazards to the ecosystem.
Therefore a suitable alternative is required for these processes.

Conclusion

The requirement and usage of electronic equipments is increasing day by day, as new,
cheaper and better technologies replace the old ones. This renders the old equipments totally
useless, and leaving huge amounts of electronic waste behind. However, this waste still has
valuable metals and substances that can be used. Consequently, the dismantling and reuse of E-
waste components has become quite a lucrative industry. But only a fraction of the total
amount of E-Waste is found to be recycled, and the rest discarded along with domestic waste.
By discarding the rest of the waste, not only is the environment being contaminated with
hazardous substances, but also many reusable valuable materials get are wasted. The materials
recovered from E-Waste are often in richer quantity than their original sources. In addition to
that, their recovery is much cheaper as well. Hence E-Waste can be considered to be a rich yet
cheap source of many valuable substances like plastics, gold, copper etc. This implies that with
better collection and processing techniques, an E-Waste recycling industry, set up with
contributions from the government and the consumers, can generate remarkable revenue, at
the same time providing a sustainable E-Waste management technique.