E-Waste

GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, PUNE

(An Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra)

A
Seminar Report
On

“Electronic Waste”

SUBMITTED BY :

Abhijeet Subhash Khanzode

(2106512)

Under the guidance of

Smt.L.S.Korade.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING

(Academic Year : 2022-23)

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GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, PUNE

(An Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra)

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Ms/Mr. Abhijeet Subhash Khanzode with Enrollment

No.2106512, of Third Year Diploma in Computer Engineering, has successfully
completed the seminar titled “Electronic Waste” as part of his/her diploma
curriculum in the academic year 2022-23.

Seminar Guide H.O.D. Principal

(Smt.L.S.Korade) (Mrs.U.V.Kokate) (Dr.V.S.Bandal

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GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, PUNE

(An Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This is amongst a wide panorama of people who provided me inspiring guidance and
encouragement, I take the opportunity to thank those who gave indebted assistance for completing
the project as well as this Seminar Research.
I humbly wish to extend my cordial gratitude with profound thanks to my project guide
Smt.L.S.Korade Mam, for his meticulous planning, valuable guidance, constant encouragement,
and the invaluable time he spent with me discussing each aspect of my project I would like to
thank my college for Giving the opportunity of Presenting my seminar to one and all. . I express my
gratitude to Prof.U.V.Kokate (HOD Computer Engineering Dept.) and Dr.V.S.Bandal (Principal) for their
kind cooperation.
My heartfelt thanks to my dearest and loving parents for all their love, care, and affection.
I’m thankful to them for standing by me like a strong pillar in failures and successes. Last but
clearly not least I would thank the Almighty for giving me the strength to complete my report on time.

Abhijeet Khanzode
Enroll. : 2106512

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ABSTRACT

E-waste" is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful
life. "E-wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products contain
materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The hazardous content of
these materials pose a threat to human health and environment. Discarded computers, televisions.
VCRs. stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipment and batteries if
improperly disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil and groundwater. Many of these
products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in an environmentally sound manner so that they are
less harmful to the ecosystem. This paper highlights the hazards of e-wastes, the need for its
appropriate management and options that can be implemented

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INDEX

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ………………………………………………….. 3
 ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………… 4

 CHAPTER 1 :
1.1 INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………… 6

 CHAPTER 2 :
2.1 SOURCE OF E-WASTE ………………………………………………………… 8

 CHAPTER 3:
3.1 TYPES OF E-WASTE …………………………………………………………… 9

 CHAPTER 4:
4.1 EFFECT OF E-WASTE …………………………………………………………. 10
4.1.1 LEAD
4.1.2 CADENIMUM.
4.1.3 MERCURY
4.1.4 CHRONIUM

 CHAPTER 5 :
5.1 REASON FOR BECOMING E-WASTE ……………………………………… 12

 CHAPTER 6 :
6.1 E-WASTE MANAGEMENT ……………………………………………………. 13

 CHAPTER 7
7.1 ADVANTAGES OF E-WASTE MANAGEMENT ……………………………. 15

 CHAPTER 8
8.1 STASTISTICS…………………………………………………………………… 17

 CHAPTER 9 :
9.1 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………… 19

 CHAPTER 10 :
10.1 REFERENCE…………………………………………………………………….. 19

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CHAPTER 1 :

1.1 INTRODUCTION OF E-WASTE

E-waste is any electrical or electronic equipment that’s been discarded. This includes working
and broken items that are thrown in the garbage or donated to a charity reseller like Goodwill.
Often, if the item goes unsold in the store, it will be thrown away. E-waste is particularly
dangerous due to toxic chemicals that naturally leach from the metals inside when buried.

Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic
products.
"Electronic waste" may be defined as discarded computers, mobile phones, office electronic
equipment's, entertainment device electronics, television sets refrigerators etc. Because loads
of surplus electronics are frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and non- recyclable),
several public policy advocates apply the term "e-waste" broadly to all surplus electronics.

Management of solid waste has become a critical issue for almost all the major cities in India.
Increase in population coupled with the rapid urbanization of Indian cities, has lead to new
conception patterns. Which typically affect the waste stream through the successive addition
of new kinds of waste. Over last two decades, spectacular advances in technology and the
changing lifestyle of people has lead to an increasing rate of consumption electronic products.
A trend today is dependence on information technology. The fast rate of technological change
has lead to the rapid obsolescence rate of IT products added to the huge import of junk

computers from abroad creating dramatic scenario for solid waste management.

E-WASTE is a collective name for discarded electronic devices that enter the waste stream
from various sources. It includes electronic appliances such as televisions, personal
computers, telephones, air conditioners, cell phones, electronic toys, etc. The list of e-waste
items is very large and can be further widened if we include other electronic waste emanating
from electrical appliances such as lifts, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and kitchen
utilities even air planes, etc. Faster technological innovation and consequently a high obsolete
rate poses a direct challenge for its proper disposal or recycling. This problem has assumed a
global dimension, of which India is an integral and affected part.

WEEE has been defined as any equipment that is depend on electric currents or
electromagnetic fields in order to work properly, including equipment for the generation,
transfer, and measurement of current.

The countries of the European Union (EU) and other developed countries to an extent have
addressed the issue of e-waste by taking policy initiatives and by adopting scientific methods
of recycling and disposal of such waste. The EU defines this new waste stream as "Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). As per its directive, the main features of the
WEEE include definition of 'EEE', its classification into 10 categories and its extent as per
voltage rating of 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current. The EEE
has been further classified into 'components", "sub-assemblies' and 'consumables'.3 Since
there is no definition of the WEEE in the environmental regulations in India, it is simply
called 'e-waste".
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POLICY ISSUES: E-WASTE HANDLING AND MANAGEMENT RULES-2011

"E-WASTE HANDLING AND MANAGEMENT RULES-2011" have become effective

from 1st MAY 2012. Rules would be applicable to every producer, consumer and bulk
consumer involved in manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electronic equipment or
components. Under these rules the producers and the bulk consumers have to recycle the E-
waste or help in channelizing the e-waste to only the authorized recyclers.

Some suggestions and issues raised by participants:

1. Managing e-waste, and other kinds of waste, is essential for the transition to a low-
carbon, resource-efficient Green Economy, all the speakers emphasized.

2. Formal and informal sector recyclers should work together as this would benefit both
the parties.

3. Informal sector can use the recycling facilities and infrastructure of formal and
organized sector.

4. Technology adoption and modulization is needed for informal sector enterprises to

get benefited from this sector.

5. Informal sector needs financial and technological assistance to compete in the

emerging scenario.

6. Banks should be ready to fund informal sector so that they would be financially
empowered to get required technology.

7. Agencies and government should help informal sector in availing best technology
from developed world.

8. SME e-waste recyclers in the organized sector also finding it difficult to get e-waste
and are faced with declining profit.

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CHAPTER 2 :

2.1 SOURCE OF E-WASTE :

Electronic waste especially computer waste is growing exponentially in volume because of

increasing demand of information technology and its application in the national growth
process. Various government department, public as well as private sectors are fast feeding old
electronics appliances such as computers, telephones, etc., into the waste stream.

Waste is generated from the products used for data processing such as computers, computer
devices like monitor, speakers, keyboards, printers etc.
Electronic devices used for entertainment like TV, DVD’s, and CD players.
Equipment or devices used for communication like phones, landline phones, fax etc.
Household equipment’s like vacuum cleaner, microwaves ovens, washing machines, air
conditioners, TV, Smartphone, Tablets etc.
Audio, visual components such as VCR’s, Stereo equipment etc.

Individual household and small business

Large business, Institutions, government house and Foreign Embassies

PC manufacturers and retailers E waste from imports Secondary market of old PCs

PERCENTAGE OF SOURCES CONSTITUTING E-WASTE:

E-WASTE FROM INDIVIDUAL HOUSHOLDS -

As far as PCs emanating from individual households are concerned, it is difficult to know the
exact quantity. Individual households are not major contributors in India. They account for
22% of total computers in India. The rest of share, that is 78%, comes from the business
sector.

E-WASTE FROM BUSINESS SECTOR-

The business sectors (government department, public or private sector, MNC offices, etc.)
were the earliest users of electronic products; today they account for 78 per cent of total
installed PCs. Hence, they are the major producers of obsolete technology in India. It is
observed that the total no of obsolete PCs emanating from business as well as from individual

households will be around 1.38 million.

E-WASTE FROM MANUFACTORS & RETAILERS-

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PCs manufacturer and retailers are next on the list of contributors to the e- waste segment in
India. The waste form this sector comprises defective IC chips, motherboards, cathode ray
tubes and other peripheral items produced during the production process. It also includes
defective PCs under guarantee procured from consumer as replacement items. It is estimated
that around 1050 tons per year of waste comes from this sector.

E-WASTE FROM IMPORTS-

The biggest sources of PC scrap are imports. Huge quantities of e-waste such as monitors,
printers, keyboards, CPU's, projectors, mobile phones, PVC wires, etc. are imported. The
computers thus imported are of all ranges, models and sizes, and functional as well as junk.

CHAPTER 3 :

3.1 TYPES OF E-WASTE :

The electrical and electronic equipment can be broadly categorized into following categories
 Large household appliances (refrigerator, freezer, washing machine cooking appliances,
etc.)
 Small household appliances (vacuum cleaners, watches, grinders, etc.)
 Consumer equipment (TV, radio, video camera, amplifiers, etc.) Lightning equipment
(CFL, high intensity sodium lamp, etc.)
 Electrical and electronic tools (drills, saws, sewing machine, etc.)
 Toys, leisure, and sport equipment (computer/video games, electric trains,etc.)
 Medical devices (with the exception of all implanted and infected products
radiotherapy equipment, cardiology, dialysis, nuclear medicine, etc.)
 Monitoring and control instruments (smoke detector, heating regulators,
thermostat.etc.) Automatic dispensers (for hot drinks, money, hot and cold bottles, etc

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CHAPTER 4 :

4.1 EFFECT OF E-WASTE :

• Emissions from E-waste create environmental damage.

• Toxic chemicals from E-waste enter in the “Soil-crop-food pathway”.

• These are non-biodegradable and cause soil pollution.

• E-waste dumping yards and nearby places are polluted and cause health hazards.
• In every electronics items having toxic chemicals like leads, chromium, cadmium, mercury,
pvc etc.
• This types of toxic chemicals causes effect on human body as well.

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 EFFECT OF E-WASTE ON HUMAN BODY :

 As mentioned, electronic waste contains toxic components that are dangerous to human
health, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium and
lithium. The negative health effects of these toxins on humans include brain, heart, liver,
kidney and skeletal system damage.
 It can also considerably affect the nervous and reproductive systems of the human body,
leading to disease and birth defects. Improper disposal of e-waste is unbelievably dangerous
to the global environment, which is why it is so important to spread awareness on this
growing problem and the threatening aftermath. To avoid these toxic effects of e-waste, it is
crucial to properly e-cycle, so that items can be recycled, refurbished, resold, or reused. The
growing stream of e-waste will only worsen if not educated on the correct measures of

disposal.
 Contamination in the air occurs when e-waste is informally disposed by dismantling,
shredding or melting the materials, releasing dust particles or toxins, such as dioxins, into the
environment that cause air pollution and damage respiratory health. 
 E-waste of little value is often burned, but burning also serves a way to get valuable metal
from electronics, like copper. Chronic diseases and cancers are at a higher risk to occur when
burning e-waste because it also releases fine particles, which can travel thousands of miles,
creating numerous negative health risks to humans and animals. 

4.1.1 Lead
Lead causes damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood systems, kidney and
reproductive systems in humans. The main applications of lead in computers are: glass panels
and gasket (frit) in computer monitors, and solder in printed circuit boards and other
Components.

4.1.2 Cadmium
Cadmium compounds are toxic, they can bio accumulate, and they pose a risk of irreversible
effects on human health. Cadmium occurs in certain components such as surface mound

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devices (SMD) chip resisters, infrared detectors, and semiconductor chips.

4.1.3 Mercury
Mercury can cause damage to various organs including the brain and kidneys. Most
importantly, the developing fates is highly susceptible through maternal exposure to mercury.
Mercury is used in thermostats, sensors, relays, switches (eg. On printed circuit boards and in
measuring equipment), medical equipment’s, lamps, mobile phones, and in batteries,

4.1.4 Hexavalent chromium/chromium VI

Chromium VI is still used for corrosion protection of untreated and galvanized steel plates
and as a decorative or hardener for steel housing. It easily passes through all membranes and
Is then absorbed---producing various toxic effects in contaminated cells 4.5.5 Plastic
including PVC

It is used in the cabling & computer housing. It contain dioxins. Reproductive and
developmental problems, immune system damage, interface with regulatory hormones

CHAPTER 5

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5.1 REASON FOR BECOMING E-WASTE.

Technology is advancing at such a fast pace that a lot of electronic devices that still work fine
are the ones considered obsolete. The updated versions of the devices replace the older ones
which then become e-waste.

• Advancement in technology.
• Changes in style fashion and status
• Nearing the end of their useful life
• Not taking precautions while handling them.
• Damage the part of electronics items.

Due to ongoing technological advancement, many electronic products become obsolete

within a very short time period, creating a large surplus of unwanted electronic products, or
“e-waste.” Disposing of e-waste in landfills has the potential to cause severe risk to human
and environmental health. To avoid these risks, the Electronic Waste Recycling Act (Senate
Bill 50) was signed into law in 2004. The Electronic Waste Recycling Act established and
funded a program for consumers to return, recycle, and ensure safe, environmentally sound
disposal of covered electronic devices (CEDs).

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CHAPTER 6 :
6.1 E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

• For management of e-waste, we have to doing following steps.

 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).Recycle electronics and batteries in e-waste recycling bins located around
campus. Large electronics can go in the larger bins found in your building.

 And one important things is have to do is just collect your e-waste and bring it to
your nearest E-waste collection center and they will deliver them to right
destination center.

Almost all e-wastes contain some form of recyclable material, including plastic, glass, and
metals; however, due to improper disposal methods and techniques these materials cannot be
retrieved for other purposes.
If e-waste is dismantled and processed in a crude manner, its toxic constituents can wreak
havoc on the human body. Processes such as dismantling components, wet chemical
processing, and incineration are used to dispose the waste and result in direct exposure and

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inhalation of harmful chemicals.

Safety equipment such as gloves and face masks are not widely used, and workers often lack
the knowledge and experience required to carry out their jobs properly. In addition to this,
manual extraction of toxic metals leads to entering of dangerous material in the bloodstream
of the individual doing so.
The health hazards range from kidney and liver damage to neurological disorders. Recycling
of e-waste scrap is polluting the water, soil, and the air.
Burning to retrieve metal from wires and cables has led to the emission of brominated and
chlorinated dioxins as well as carcinogens which pollute the air and, thereby, cause cancer in
humans and animals. Toxic chemicals that have no economic value are simply dumped
during the recycling process.
These toxic chemicals leach into underground aquifer thereby degrading the local
groundwater quality and rendering the water unfit for human consumption as well as
agricultural purposes.
When e-waste is dumped in landfills, the lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and PCBs make
the soil toxic and unfit for agricultural purposes.
Very recent studies on recycling of e-waste has pointed towards increasing concentrations of
PCBs, dioxins and furans, plasticizers, bisphenol-A (BPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH), and heavy metals in the surface soil of the four metro cities of India, that is, New
Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai where e-waste is being processed by the informal
sectors (Chakraborty et al., 2018 and 2019).
In those studies, it has been observed that the sites engaged in metal recovery processes are
the prime sites for such persistent toxic substances.
Studies from the same group also reported that the persistent organic pollutants produced or
released during the recycling process are escaping in the ambient air due to their semi-volatile
nature.

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CHAPTER 7:
7.1 ADVANTAGES OF E- WASTE MANAGEMENT
 Reduces Landfill Sites
The more we recycle, the less waste we generate, which applies to all kinds of waste.
Reduced landfill sites allow for more land to be utilised for more meaningful purposes such
as agriculture and housing development.

 Preserves Natural Resources

As highlighted earlier, recycling e-waste enables valuable materials to be recovered and
reused to manufacture new products, which saves energy, reduces our carbon footprint, and
preserves Earth’s finite natural resources.

 Prevents Toxic Chemicals from Polluting the Ecosystem

Electronic components contain a number of toxic chemical substances such as nickel,
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cadmium, lithium, mercury, and lead, which pose health and environmental hazards.Buried in
landfills, these toxic chemicals leach into our soil, waterways, and ecosystem, contaminating
agriculture, livestock, and sea life, ultimately ending up in our food and causing long-term
damage to our health and the environment.

 Crested New Business & Employment Opportunities

The current challenges in e-waste collection and recycling present an immense opportunity
for innovative research & development and creative business models for sustainable
solutions.A prime example is the world’s first e-waste microfactory by UNSW’s Professor
Veena Sahajwalla. Designed as a modular system that can be installed in a space as small as
50 square metres, the microfactory crushes the e-waste, with a robot removing its useful
components to be reheated in a small furnace.
Its innovative and portable design makes it easy and cheap to transport to the waste site,
making e-waste recycling much more cost-effective and accessible.

 Promotes Mindful Consumerism

Making e-waste recycling a regular practice is a useful reminder of the impact our consumer
decisions and behaviour have on our environment. Rather than contributing to the wasteful
and irresponsible throw-away culture, it’s time for us to embrace mindful consumerism by
thinking before buying and repairing/recycling before discarding.

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CHAPTER 8

8.1 STATISTICS
• According to Statistics we are generating more that 40 million tons of e-waste a year and
only 20-30 % of this is recycled.
• India is in the 5th position in the generation of e-waste
• Being the larges use of smart phones this ranks may increase in the future..
• Approximately 15.8 lakh tonnes per annum of plastic waste is recycled and 1.67 lakh tonnes
per annum is co-processed in Cement Kilns, said the government. There are 468 authorised
dismantlers/recyclers in 22 states having a processing capacity of 13….
• Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/generation-of-e-waste-in-india-sees-
31-annual-growth-1081505.html

The generation of electronic waste has been increasing faster than plastic waste, with e-junk
witnessing 31% annual growth in India, the government said.

In 2018-19, the plastic waste was 33 lakh tonnes. The annual plastic waste in 2019-20 has increased
by one lakh tonnes to 34 lakh tonnes. The generation of plastic waste increases by 3% each year, said
the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
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The ministry said according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the growth rate of this e-
waste is even higher. This waste was 7.71 lakh tonnes in 2018-19 and 10.14 lakh tonnes in 2019-20.
This is an increase of about 31%.

Approximately 15.8 lakh tonnes per annum of plastic waste is recycled and 1.67 lakh tonnes per
annum is co-processed in Cement Kilns, said the government.

There are 468 authorised dismantlers/recyclers in 22 states having a processing capacity of 13.85 lakh
tonnes of e-waste in the country. Said the ministry.

The e-Waste (Management) Rules were notified in 2016 which got amended from time to time. So
far, the Environment Ministry has notified 21 types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as e-
waste.

In the recent Parliament session, Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change,
Ashwini Kumar Choubey in his reply to Kerala Rajya Sabha member V Sivadasan (CPM) said no
study has been carried out by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to assess the damage caused to
the environment by e-waste.

However, the electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) after their useful life does not cause any harm
to health and the environment if it is stored safely in households/stores. If the end of life EEE (e-
waste) is opened-up and unscientific methods are used for extraction of precious and semi-precious
material from it, then it causes health risks and damage to the environment.

The CPCB conducted a study ‘Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal on soil and water quality at Lucknow
dumpsites’. It was observed in the study that dumping of plastic waste may deteriorate the soil and
underground water quality due to the leaching of additives, colours, stabilisers and fillers present in
different categories of plastic products.

Taking serious note of the complaint against e-waste recycling industries for not following norms
while handling electronic waste, the National Green Tribunal has directed all the state pollution
control boards to file status reports on the operation of such units.

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CHAPTER 9

9.1 CONCLUSION:

So in this seminar topic we learn about E-waste. That is E-waste has emerged as one of the fastest
growing waste streams world wide today. Electronic gadgets, without proper disposal can cause
environmental harm. Reuse and Recycle are more beneficial than simple disposal . Awareness of e-
waste should be given and Government shall take steps to reduce e-waste disposal.

CHAPTER 10
10.1 REFERENCE :

www.google.com
https://greene.gov.in/
https://calrecycle.ca.gov/electronics/whatisewaste.com
www.youtube.com

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