Assessing the Challenges and Issues of Electronic Waste Management for Cities in Developing Countries (original) (raw)

Electronic waste - an emerging threat to the environment of urban India

Journal of environmental health science & engineering, 2014

Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the emerging problems in developed and developing countries worldwide. It comprises of a multitude of components with valuable materials, some containing toxic substances, that can have an adverse impact on human health and the environment. Previous studies show that India has generated 0.4 million tons of e-waste in 2010 which may increase to 0.5 to 0.6 million tons by 2013-2014. Coupled with lack of appropriate infrastructural facilities and procedures for its disposal and recycling have posed significant importance for e-waste management in India. In general, e-waste is generated through recycling of e-waste and also from dumping of these wastes from other countries. More of these wastes are ending up in dumping yards and recycling centers, posing a new challenge to the environment and policy makers as well. In general electronic gadgets are meant to make our lives happier and simpler, but the toxicity it contains, their disposal and recyclin...

A Study on Electronic Waste Management in India

International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology

In the electronic industry, e-scraps or e-wastes refer to electronic goods that are discarded or unneeded. About 50 million ton of e-wastes are produced every year. Depending on their reactions, there might be potential danger. E-wastes, such as computer batteries and other electrochemical waste, may cause unwanted results, so it is important to consider them along with physical wastes. India generates about 1.5 lakh tons of e-waste annually, and almost all of it ends up in the informal sector as there is no organized alternative. It is well documented that humanity's capabilities were enhanced by the industrial revolution. However, the revolutionary changes experience by societies across the globe due to the application of electronics are deeper and more widespread than the impact of the industrial revolution. Human society has been profoundly changed by the electronics age and has become more connected than ever before. Electronic items have contributed to smoother communication, economic growth, and job opportunities. However, in addition to the positives, technology has brought to light a number of concerns, such as the growing problem of ewaste, which society must confront head on. In the existing situation, it is always possible that human health and the environment would be in trouble. If coordinated legislation and activities for efficient e-waste management and disposal were not enacted. This paper aims to provide a quick overview of the relatively new notion of e-waste, its production in India, and the associated environmental and health implications. It emphasizes the booming informal and nascent official e-waste recycling economies, as well as the urgent need for more explicit legislation and a forward-looking strategy. The paper also examines global e-waste trading and international experience in this area. There is also a list of references at the conclusion for further reading. Each year, hundreds of thousands of consumer electronics, computers, monitors, phones, printers, televisions and other portable devices become outdated and were mainly dumped to the landfills or poorly recycled. Recent technological development and growing demands for new and better functioning electronics accelerate the amount of electronic waste (e-waste) worldwide, making it to be one of the fastest growing streams in many countries. The estimated lifespan of electronics is about three to five years because of the increasing rates of consumption, new developments and urbanization.

Electronic Waste impacting Health and Environment, It's Management -Global & Indian Perspective

Use of electronics equipment and their disposal is increasing exponentially with time. The disposal of equipment is in proportion to obsolescence which in turn is linked with adoption of new technology. It has attributed around 10 % growth in e-Waste in India. Recycling of e-Waste through environment friendly means is utmost need of the day. Still in India, instead of using standardised technology based methods in recycling, it is carried out by using primitive means which are extremely hazardous and spoiling the environment. Development of an ecosystem comprising adequate legislation, restrictions on hazardous substance (RoHS) , cost-effective technology based recycling solution, awareness to all stakeholders & general public on electronic waste is to be ensured and full proof management practices warrantying environment protection and eco-friendly manufacturing and recycling are to be adopted.

E-Waste Management and Recycling in India

Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the rapidly growing problems of the world. E-waste is a popular and informal name for electronic products which have completed their useful life. Discarded computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipments, batteries etc are some examples of e-waste. This waste also includes non biodegradable plastics which possess serious threat to the environment. Basel Action Network estimates that the 500 million computers in the world contains about 2.87 billions kgs of plastics, 717.67 kgs of lead and 286700 kgs of mercury. A single 14 inch monitor contains about 2.5-4.0 kgs of lead. This may have a drastic effect on the environment, if left untreated. In India, e-waste management assumes greater significance not only due to the generation of its own waste but also due to the dumping of e-wastes by the developed countries. Many of these products can be recycled, reused in an eco-friendly manner. A comprehensive methodology that provides e-wastes regulation, management and proper disposal as well as recycling techniques is the need of the hour. This paper highlights the hazards of e-waste, their effects and the various recycling methods to get rid of them in context of Indian scenario. The proper handling methods of harmful, toxic materials produced from e-waste are also focused in the paper.

The Emerging Environmental and Public Health Problem of Electronic Waste in India

Journal of Health and Pollution, 2017

India has observed monumental progress in information and communication technology, leading to a tremendous increase in electronic equipment usage, especially of computers and mobile phones. The expansion of production and consumption of electronic equipment has been exponential over the last two decades. 1 The useful life of this electronic equipment is becoming shorter due to frequent modifications and upgrades in software and rapid changes in equipment features and capabilities that usually do not support older equipment. 2 This high rate of obsolescence in the industry has generated one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world consisting of various types of electronic items. Electronic waste (e-waste) or the term 'waste electrical and electronic equipment'(WEEE) is used to describe old, end-of-life and discarded products including Background. Monumental progress has been made in the area of information and communication technology, leading to a tremendous increase in use of electronic equipment, especially computers and mobile phones. The expansion of production and consumption of electronic equipment along with its shorter life span has led to the generation of tremendous amounts of electronic waste (e-waste). In addition, there is a high level of trans-boundary movement of these devices as secondhand electronic equipment from developed countries, in the name of bridging the digital gap. Objectives. This paper reviews e-waste produced in India, its sources, composition, current management practices and their environmental and health implications. Fixing responsibility for waste disposal on producers, establishment of formal recycling facilities, and strict enforcement of legislation on e-waste are some of the options to address this rapidly growing problem. Discussion. The exponential growth in production and consumption of electronic equipment has resulted in a surge of e-waste generation. Many electronic items contain hazardous substances including lead, mercury and cadmium. Informal recycling or disposing of such items pose serious threat to human health and the environment. Conclusions. Strict enforcement of waste disposal laws are needed along with the implementation of health assessment studies to mitigate inappropriate management of endof-life electronic wastes in developing countries.

ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA–ISSUES AND STRATEGIES

The current practices of e-waste management in India suffer from a number of drawbacks like the difficulty in inventorisation, unhealthy conditions of informal recycling, inadequate legislation, poor awareness and reluctance on part of the corporate to address the critical issues. The consequences are that (i) toxic materials enter the waste stream with no special precautions to avoid the known adverse effects on the environment and human health and (ii) resources are wasted when economically valuable materials are dumped or unhealthy conditions are developed during the informal recycling. The paper highlights the associated issues and strategies to address this emerging problem, in the light of initiatives in India. The paper presents a waste management system with shared responsibility for the collection and recycling of electronic wastes amongst the manufacturers / assemblers, importers, recyclers, regulatory bodies and the consumers.

A Review on E-waste Management and Recycling Challenges in India

2015

Electronics industry is the world’s largest and fastest growing manufacturing industry. But the increase in sales of electronic equipments and their rapid obsolescence such as advancement in technology, change in fashion, style and status has resulted in generation of electronic waste which is popularly known as E-waste. E-waste contains many hazardous components that may negatively impact the environment and adversely affect human health if not properly managed. E-waste problem is of global concern due to the production and disposal of waste in a globalized world. In India, e-waste management has 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. The challenge is to develop innovative and costeffective solutions to decontaminate polluted environments due to E-waste , to make them safe ...

E-waste scenario in India, its management and implications

Electronic waste or E-waste comprises of old, end-of-life electronic appliances such as computers, laptops, TVs, DVD players, refrigerators, freezers, mobile phones, MP3 players etc. which have been disposed of by their original users. E-waste contains many hazardous constituents that may negatively impact the environment and affect human health if not properly managed. Various organizations, bodies and governments of many countries have adopted and/or developed the environmentally sound options and strategies for E-waste management to tackle the ever growing threat of E-waste to the environment and human health. This paper presents E-waste composition, categorization, Global and Indian E-waste scenarios, prospects of recoverable, recyclable and hazardous materials found in the E-waste, Best Available Practices (BAP), recycling and recovery processes followed and their environmental and occupational hazards. Based on the discussion various challenges for E-waste management particularly in India are delineated, and needed policy interventions were discussed. Key Words: E-waste management, best available practices, environmental and health impact, developing countries

E-WASTE, AND ITS FUTURE CHALLENGES IN INDIA

India is a developing country and is having world's second largest population after china. The present growth rate of 4.7 percent of GDP and achieved growth of 8 percent during eleventh five year plan from 2007 to 2012. As per this growth rate needs and lifestyle of Indian people changes continuously. Due to a huge revolution in technology there is advancement in every sector. The electronic and communication market is also booming in India. Electronic waste or E-waste is relatively a novel addition to the ever-growing hazardous waste stream. The manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is one of the emerging global activities. The main factors identified to be responsible for the increased consumption and productions of electrical and electronic equipment are rapid economic growth, coupled with urbanization and industrialization. Developing countries are facing enormous challenges related to the generation and management of E-waste which are either internally generated or imported illegally; The Indian Information Technology (IT) sector is one of the major contributors to the global economy. At the same time, it is responsible for the generation of the bulk of E-waste or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in India. Although the global E-waste problem has been able to attract attention across the world, not much emphasis has been given to the E-waste engendered in developing countries. Developing countries like India, today, is burdened with the colossal problem of E-waste which is either locally generated or internationally imported, causing serious menace to human health and environment. The hazardous components in electrical and electronic equipment are a major concern during the waste management phase. In the context of India, recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment is not undertaken to an adequate degree. However, the existing management practices related to E-waste in India are reasonably poor and have the potential to risk both human health and the environment. Moreover, the policy level initiatives are not being implemented in an appropriate way. The austere problem of E-waste along with its policy level implications is looked upon in the paper. During the course of the study it has been found that there is an urgent need to address the issues related to E-waste in India in order to avoid its detrimental future consequences on environment as well as health of human population. The purpose of the review was to improve understanding of electronic waste (e-waste) and the effect on health and the environment on a global scale. The review involved examining data and policies of governmental,

Electronic Waste Management in North East India

2014

Electronic Waste or E-waste, resulting from obsolete electrical and electronic devices is posing to be a rapidly expanding issue in today's world. Yet it has limited awareness among the masses. Prevailing to be a consistent problem in the developed countries, the e-waste management scenario in the developing countries is even worse due to improper disposal of e-waste or otherwise unsafe and primitive technologies involved in its recycling. This paper delves into the issue of proliferating e-waste accumulation, with emphasis on the NorthEastern part of India and suggests a few effective ways for abatement of this impending hazard. During the course of our study it has come to the fore, that unless the problem of e-waste management is immediately addressed, it will continue to emanate and prove to be detrimental to human health as well as the environment.