2.

3 E - Waste

Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, refers to discarded electronic devices

and equipment that are no longer useful. These items often contain toxic materials
and components, so they need special handling and disposal methods to prevent envi
ronmental contamination and human health risks. E-waste enconmpasses a wide range
of electronic and electrical devices, including computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets,
televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, printers and batteries.

Types of e-waste include :

1.Large Appliances: Thiscategory includes household appliances such as refrigerators,

washing machines, air conditioners and mnicrowave ovens.

2. Small Appliances :Small electronic devices liketoasters, coffee makers, hairdryers

and vacuum cleaners fall into thiscategory.

3.IT &Telecommunication Equipment : Computers, laptops, printers, servers, routers,

telephones and mobile phones are examples ofIT and telecommunication equipment.

4. Consumer Electronics : Thiscategory comprises devices intended for entertainment

and personal use, such as televisions, DVD players, cameras, gaming consoles and audio
equipment.

5.Lighting Equipmnent:Various types of lighting devices, including fluorescent lamps,

LED bulbs, and neon lights, constitute lighting equipment e-waste.

Harmful effects ofE - Waste:

1. Environmental Pollution: Improper disposal of e-wastesuch as dumping in landfill
or incineration, can lead to the release of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals into
the environment. These pollutants can contaminate soil, water sources and the air,
posing risks toecosystems and human health.
2. Health Risks :Exposure to hazardous substances found in e-waste, such as mercury,
lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants and PVC plastics, can have adverse
4. Rock andMineral Waste:Waste materials such as rocks, stones, gravel, sand and
mineral aggregates generated from mining, quarrying or mineral processing activities.

5. Inert Packaging Materials : Packaging materials such as clean cardboard boxes, paper
packaging, plastic wrapping and wooden pallets used for transporting goods and prod
ucts which are free from hazardous substances or contaminants.

6. Inert Metal Scrap :Clean metal scraps such as steel, aluminum, copper &other non
hazardousmetal materials, generated from manufacturing, fabrication or machining
processes.

7. Inert Glass Waste:Waste glass materials such as bottles, jarsand glass packaging,
generated from manufacturing, packaging or recycling activities which can be recycled
or reused for glass production.

8. Inert Plastic Waste : Non-hazardous plastic materials like clean plastic containers,
packaging and products that can be recycled or disposed of in landfills without posing
significant environmental risks.

The inert non-hazardous wastes from industries can be managed and disposed
of safely using standard waste management practices such as landfilling, recycling or
reuse to minimizeenvironmental impactsand promote resource conservation.
 d. Waste Water:
Non-hazardous wastewater from industries refers to wastewater streams generated
from industrial processes that do not contain significant levels of hazardous substanc
es or pollutants. These wastewater streams typically originate from various
manufacturing, processing, cleaning and cooling activities and may require treatment
before discharge tocomply with environmental regulations or reuse for industrial
purposes. Examples of non-hazardouswastewater from industries include:
1.Process Wastewater : Wastewater generated from manufacturing or processing
operationssuch as rinsing, washing or chemical processing, which may contain organic
compounds, suspended solids or dissolved substances but donot pose significant risks
tohuman health or the environment.

2. Cooling Water:Wastewater used for cooling purposes in industrial equipment,

machinery or processes, such as cooling towers, condensers or heat exchangers which
may contain heat, minerals or dissolved solids but are typically non-toxic and
non-hazardous.

3. Cleaning and Sanitizing Wastewater : Wastewater generated from cleaning,

sanitizing or sterilizing equipment, surfaces or facilities in industries such as food and
beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing or healthcare facilities which may
contain detergents,disinfectants or cleaning agents.

4. Process Condensate :Condensed water vapor

or steam generated from industrial processes
such as distillation, evaporation or drying
operations which may contain trace amounts
of organic compounds or dissolved substances
but are generally non-hazardous.

Non-hazardous wastewater may undergo

treatment processes such as sedimentation,
filtration or chemical precipitation to remove
contaminants.