E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

RAHUL RAI
RA1911003010227
D1
What is e-waste: 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.
E-waste or electronic waste is created when an electronic products is
discarded after the end of its useful life. The rapid expansion
of techonology and the consumption driven society results in the creation of a
very large amount of e-waste. The rapid expansion of technology and the
consumption driven society results in the creation of a very large amount of e-
waste.
The ongoing challenge of how best to dispose of used and unwanted
electronics isn’t a new one and dates back at least to the 1970s. But a lot has
changed since then, particularly the number of electronics being discarded
today.
List of Common E-waste Items:

Home Appliances:

• Microwaves
• Home Entertainment Devices
• Electric cookers
• Heaters
• Fans

Communications and Information Technology Devices

• Cell phones
• Smartphones
• Desktop Computers
• Computer Monitors
• Laptops
• Circuit boards
• Hard Drives

Office and Medical Equipment

• Copiers/Printers
• IT Server Racks
• IT Servers
• Cords and Cables
• WiFi Dongles

E-waste Problems:
The definition of e-waste is likely to keep expanding. In an era of rapid
technological advancement, more and more highly sophisticated electronic
goods are being invented and manufactured. Just think of the concept of the
“smart home.” It’s easy to recognize how many electronic devices can now do
everything from offer security to turning lights on and off, to having fresh
coffee ready before we wake up.
Unfortunately, a skyrocketing amount of e-waste is being written off by
owners as junk. There’s no more significant example of that than computers,
laptops, and smartphones.

How Did We Get to This Point?:

In 1976, Congress first addressed the issue of hazardous waste disposal with
the passage of the Resource and Recovery Act. This act sets standards for
protecting human health and the natural environment from the potential
hazards of waste disposal. The next major step was the Basel Convention in
March 1989, an international treaty designed to reduce the movements of
hazardous waste between nations and prevent the transfer of hazardous waste
from developed to less-developed countries.
One thing that’s grown significantly since then has been the e-waste recycling
industry. This industry has the most proven way of keeping e-waste out of
landfills or from being burned in incinerators.

In 1991, the first electronic waste recycling system was implemented in

Switzerland with the introduction of a system to collect refrigerators. Other
electric and electronic devices got added to the system in later years.

The Dangers of E-waste:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health risks may result
from direct contact with toxic materials that leach from e-waste. These include
minerals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants, or
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Danger can come from inhalation of the
toxic fumes, as well as from the accumulation of chemicals in soil, water, and
food.
This puts not just people in danger but land and sea animals as well. In
developing countries, the risks are exceptionally high because some developed
countries send their e-waste there. Studies have shown this global e-waste has
detrimental effects on the people that work with the e-waste but also the
people that live around it.
Because of this, a proper recycling process needs to be put in place to protect
us and future generations.
How to Reduce E-Waste? :
1. Be a good consumer. Do some research when you’re ready to buy a
new product. Make sure it’s one that won’t break easily or become
damaged shortly after you purchase it
2. Reuse as often as possible. If you have parts and equipment that are still
working, try repairing the electronic device before getting a new one.
And if the device is beyond the point of being repaired, then recycle it.
3. Look for an environmentally friendly label. For example, see if the
products you buy are labeled Energy Star, or have been certified by the
Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool.
4. Consider limiting the number of electronics you own. If you don’t really
need an extra gadget, look for devices that have multiple functions.
5. Teach kids about e-waste. Children are our future, and it helps if we
can instill within them at a young age a commit to e-waste recycling.
6. Recycle, recycle, recycle. No matter what you have, it’s important to
always dispose of your e-waste properly. That means recycling all of
your used electronics, with the understanding that improperly disposing
of e-waste is becoming more and more hazardous