E-Waste- a National Health & Environmental Disaster for India (original) (raw)

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,

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

Global Challenges in E-Waste Management: Indian Scenario

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, recycling, and recovery processes followed, and their environmental and occupational hazards. Public awareness of the health and environmental threat posed by e-waste is...

Status of E-Waste in India - A Review

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2014

The mammoth generation of e-waste has created a new e-waste stream in the country containing obsolete, End of life Electrical and Electronics Equipments discarded after their intended use. The innovation, dynamism in product design and globalization replacing these equipments in very duration and made it fast growing waste in the world. E-waste is being generated by both indigenous and outsourced electrical and electronics equipments besides Basel Convention. The knowhow and compatible infrastructure for e-waste treatment is limited in India and informal recycling survived under the ambit of flexible legislative framework. The presence of toxic and hazardous substances in e-wasted equipments attracted the attention of the waste managing agencies in the country because these substances endanger the human health, environment, wherever present in uncontrolled conditions. The existence and implementation of Environmentally Sound Management is partial and progressing very slowly due to obvious reasons. The formal recyclers have commissioned comprehensive e-waste treatment facilities; but inadequate in proportion to the e-waste generation in the country since the informal recyclers are treating 95% of the e-waste generated with hazardous practices. The formal e-waste collection from all sources is ambiguous. E-waste contains a good amount of valuable recyclable materials also and has potential to become lucrative business in the country.

E-Waste Management Approaches in India

international journal of engineering trends and technology, 2014

From last two-three decades, the global market of industrial and electronic equipment is changed and continues to grow exponentially all over the world. With these grows, electrical and electronic waste management is growing in same manner. Developing countries face tremendous problem which are related to the generation and management of E-Waste which are either from import or export illegally. There are a large number of harmful materials which containing toxic substances that can have an adverse impact on health and the environment. It is the global problem; if it is not handled decently within time; then the global world is affected. In India, E-Waste management presumes the major problem. This problem is not only generated from its own E-Waste but also the import dumping materials from other developed countries. The purpose of this article is to focus the issues and impact of this emerging problem. It is also required to sharpen on private and government agencies to do needful s...

Electronic Waste Management in India: A Stakeholder’s Perspective

Electronic Green Journal, 2014

E-waste or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) illustrate discarded appliances that utilize electricity for their functioning. Today, the Indian market is engrossed with massive volumes of electrical and electronic goods and gadgets, having tremendously high domestic demand. Consequently, the amount of E-waste being generated in the country is flourishing at an alarming rate, although the management practices and policy initiatives of the same are still in an elementary stage. The current methods of storage, processing, recycling and disposal of E-waste in India have immense potential to harm human health and the environment. Furthermore, the policy level initiatives related to E-waste in India are reasonably recent and inadequate to address the issue. The paper tries to evaluate the current status of E-waste management practices in India. The domination of informal sector in the E-waste recycling business with all its socioeconomic , health and environmental implications are dealt with in detail and the dawdling progress of formal recycling units in the country is assessed upon. The paper tries to identify the range of diverse stakeholders in the E-waste management system in India. These stakeholders are significant right from the production of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) to the final disposal of E-waste. The paper concludes that identifying the range of stakeholders in the E-waste management system and constructing a sustainable E-waste management system involving these stakeholders are the needs of the hour. E-waste management In India, E-waste is becoming an important waste stream in terms of both quantity and toxicity (Wath et al., 2010). Managing the ever increasing volume of E-waste is a major concern for most of the countries today. The first major problem associated with E-waste management is its ever increasing quantum, and second is its scientific and environment friendly disposal, which is very crucial (Wath et al., 2010). In India, domestic E-waste is significant in addition to illegal imports (Sepúlveda et al., 2010). It is argued that due to low market penetration rate in the past, the stock of EEE already put on the market has not been as large as that in OECD countries and the market of most products is far from saturated (Ongondo, Williams and Cherrett, 2011). Due to these developments, countries like India face a fast increasing load of WEEE originating both inland and through illegal imports (Streicher-Porte et al., 2005). According to the MoEF (2008), the electronics industry has emerged as the fastest growing segment of Indian industry both in terms of production and exports. The report further states that the share of software services in electronics and IT sector has gone up from 38.7 per cent in 1998-99 to 61.8 percent in 2003-04. A review of the industry statistics show that in 1990-91, hardware accounted for nearly 50% of total IT revenues while software's share was 22%. The scenario changed by 1994-95, with hardware share falling to 38% and software's share rising to 41%. This shift in the IT industry began with liberalization and the subsequent opening up of Indian markets (MoEF, 2008). With the development of IT industries emerged the problems related to E-waste. Although, today, IT industries contribute the most significant share to the E-waste stream, consumer electronics also mark a major portion of it.

E-Waste: Problems & Management

IJBMR, 2016

In this paper the environmental problems related with the discarded electronic appliances, known as e-waste, are reviewed.E-waste contains toxic substances such as Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which leak into ground water when these electronic goods are dumped on the ground. On the other hand burning of these substances emits toxic fumes. Thus causing pollution at all three levels-air, water and land pollution. Moreover, the current and the future production of e-waste, the potential environmental problems associated with their disposal and management practices are discussed whereas the existing e-waste management schemes in India. This research paper mainly deals with implications of e-waste & its prevention and control. The researchers try to throw light on various legislations in India and bring into picture indistinguishable convention regarding it. With it, they also put forth some suggestions to reduce the effect of e-waste.

E- WASTE “AN UNPRECEDENTED PROBLEM IN INDIA”

The demand for computers and accessories in particular is phenomenal as a result of increasing e-literacy and the common use of these gadgets in most offices, schools and other institutions, in line with current trends in the global electronic and information age. The emergence of the information age has underscored the critical role that information, knowledge and technology can play in a nation’s development and for global connectivity. Electronic waste (E-waste) encompasses a broad and growing range of electronic devices ranging from large household appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, and air conditioners, to hand-held cellular phones, fluorescent lamp bulbs (tubes), and personal stereos. Where once consumers purchased a stereo console or television set with the expectation that it would last for a decade or more, the increasingly rapid evolution of technology has effectively rendered everything “disposable.” Consumers no longer take a malfunctioning toaster, VCR or telephone to a repair shop. Replacement is often easier and cheaper than repair. And while these ever improving gadgets– faster, smaller, and cheaper – provide many benefits, they also carry a legacy of waste. Electronic waste already constitutes from 2% to 5% and is growing rapidly. Studies estimate that the volume of electronic waste is rising by 3% to5% per year – almost three times faster than the municipal waste stream. E-WASTE electronic waste has become a common spoke able term in world media, when Hollywood Hits such as Wale – e come into the theaters, But what about know, what is Happening Know towards this problem Of course a lot is contributing but problem of house could not be solved by the soldiers of Giants, more clearly we require solutions that could solve the problem much at ground domestic level, Hence In Present study we have tried to cover the whole scenario of e-waste present in world, especially in INDIA, there is no other destination for when it comes to environment then Greenpeace being so large and diverse in nature the organization is given a full documents that how much e-waste is present in world. what are it causes, who is responsible for it too. By Including their search in this present in work we concluded most important fact that e-waste was not a problem because it have already have many solutions and due to it unprecedented continuum nature we need batter domestic solution.

Sustainability and E-waste Management Scenario in India

Electronics industry is one of fastest growing manufacturing industry in India. But the increase in sales of electronic goods and their rapid obsolescence has resulted in generation of electronic waste, which is popularly known as e-waste. The e-waste has become a matter of concern because of the presence of toxic and hazardous substances present in electronic goods and if not properly managed, it can have adverse affects on environment and human health. In India, the e-waste market is mostly unorganized and companies are neither registered nor authorized and operate informally. At most of the places e-waste is treated as municipal waste because India does not have any dedicated legislation for management of e-waste. Currently, ewaste handling is regulated under "The Hazardous Materials (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movements) Rules, 2008". However, there are some companies which are authorized by government for the scientific and environmental friendly management and treatment of e-waste. But due to the involvement of unorganized sector in management of e-waste, there is improper handling of e-waste due to involvement of unskilled workers and absence of adequate technologies. Moreover, companies are more focused on financial profits rather than social or environmental concerns. Hence, there is strong need to adopt sustainability practices to tackle the growing threat of ewaste. This paper reviews e-waste generation, e-waste management scenario in India, global sustainability practices and sustainability issues in management of e-waste due to personal computers (PCs) and mobile phones.