3. INTRODUCTION
• Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or
electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for
refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material
recovery, or disposal are also considered e-waste. Informal
processing of e-waste in developing countries can lead to adverse
human health effects and environmental pollution.
• Electronic scrap components, such as CPUs, contain potentially
harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated
flame retardants. Recycling and disposal of e-waste may involve
significant risk to health of workers and their communities.
5. RATE OF GROWTH OF E-WASTE
• E-waste is considered the "fastest-growing waste stream in the
world” with 44.7 million tons generated in 2016- equivalent to 4500
Eiffel towers. In 2018, an estimated 50 million tons of e-waste was
reported, thus the name 'tsunami of e-waste' given by the UN. Its
value is at least $62.5 billion annually.
• Rapid changes in technology, changes in media (tapes, software,
MP3), falling prices, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a
fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe. Technical
solutions are available, but in most cases, a legal framework, a
collection, logistics, and other services need to be implemented
before a technical solution can be applied.
6. • In 2006, the United Nations estimated the amount of worldwide
electronic waste discarded each year to be 50 million metric
tons. According to a report by UNEP titled, "Recycling – from e-
waste to Resources," the amount of e-waste being produced –
including mobile phones and computers – could rise by as
much as 500 percent over the next decade in some countries,
such as India. The United States is the world leader in
producing electronic waste, tossing away about 3 million tons
each year. China already produces about 2.3 million tons (2010
estimate) domestically, second only to the United States. And,
despite having banned e-waste imports, China remains a major
e-waste dumping ground for developed countries.
7. E-WASTE IN INDIA
• Electronic waste is emerging as a serious public health and
environmental issue in India. India is the "Third largest electronic
waste producer in the world"; approximately 2 million tons of e-
waste are generated annually and an undisclosed amount of e-waste
is imported from other countries around the world.
• While e-waste recycling is a source of income for many people in
India, it also poses numerous health and environmental risks. More
than 95% of India's e-waste is illegally recycled by informal waste
pickers called kabadiwalas or raddiwalas. These workers operate
independently, outside of any formal organization which makes
enforcing e-waste regulations difficult-to-impossible. Recyclers
often rely on rudimentary recycling techniques that can release toxic
pollutants into the surrounding area. The release of toxic pollutants
associated with crude e-waste recycling can have far reaching,
irreversible consequences
8.
9. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Air pollution is a widespread problem in India—nine out of the ten
most polluted cities on earth are in India. An important contributor to
India's air pollution problem is widespread, improper recycling and
disposal of e-waste.
India's sacred Yamuna river and Ganges river are considered to be
among the most polluted rivers in the world. It is estimated that nearly
80% of India's surface water is polluted. Sewage, pesticide runoff and
industrial waste, including e-waste, all contribute to India's water
pollution problem.
According to research by Jamia Millia Islamia University, the average
concentration of heavy metals in topsoil near e-waste sites in India is
significantly higher than in standard agriculture soil samples. Another
study tested soil samples from 28 e-waste recycling sites in India and
found that the soil contained high levels of toxic Polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and
10. • E-waste data 2021
• In 2021, an estimated of 57.4 Mt of e-waste was generated globally.
According to estimates in Europe, where the problem is best studied,
11 of 72 electronic items in an average household are no longer in
use or broken. Annually per citizen, another 4 to 5 kg of unused
electrical and electronic products are hoarded in Europe prior to
being discarded. In 2021, less than 20 percent of the e-waste is
collected and recycled.
• Amendment to the E-Waste Management Rules, 2018
• This amendment relaxes certain aspects of the strict E- Waste
(Management Rules of 2016). Specifically, the amendment focusses
on the e-waste collection targets by 10% during 2017–2018, 20%
during 2018–2019, 30% during 2019–2020, and so on. This
amendment also gives the Central Pollution Control Board power to
randomly select electronic equipment on the market to test for
compliance of rules. The financial cost associated with this testing
shall be the responsibility of the government, whereas previously,
11. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
Recycling
More consumers need to get into the habit of taking their used
electronics to an experienced recycling firm that can disassemble
them, separating and categorizing the contents by material and
cleaning them, then shredding them mechanically for further
sorting with advanced separation technologies.
Education
The second most important solution is to educate people about
how important recycling is for e-waste. It can begin with setting
an example, making a commitment on your own to take any
electronic device you have that’s no longer wanted or being
used, and bring it to a recycling firm rather than throw it out
with your regular trash or toss it in a desk drawer.
12. • Re-evaluate. Do you really need that extra gadget? Try finding
one device with multiple functions.
• Extend the life of your electronics. Buy a case, keep your device
clean, and avoid overcharging the battery.
• Buy environmentally friendly electronics. Look for products
labeled Energy Star or certified by the Electronic Product
Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
• Donate used electronics to social programs—and help victims
of domestic violence, children safety initiatives and
environmental causes.
• Reuse large electronics.
• Recycle electronics and batteries in e-waste recycling bins.