E - WASTE

With 44. 7 Mt (metric tonnes) of E-Waste generated globally in 2016, it is estimated that the world may have already generated 50 million tonnes of E-Waste by 2018. Since rapid advances in technology and mass production of new electronic devices, the use of these devices and equipment is on an ever increasing trend. From the world population of 7.2 billion, 3.6 billion people are online and use internet devices. As a result, management of E-Waste has become a growing concern among countries and are increasingly adopting E-waste legislations to cater to its management.

What constitutes E-Waste?

Electronic waste or E-waste constitute of all the spare parts that form electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) such as mobile phones, laptops, computers, printers, refrigerators etc. It majorly consists of parts that are discarded and cannot be reused by the user. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2017 report, E-waste is distinguished into six categories.

According to the Global E-Waste Monitor Report (2017), the annual amount of e-waste is estimated to grow to 52.2 Mt in 2021 and with a growth rate of 3% to 4%. In 2016, Asia generated the highest amount of e-waste of around 18.2 Mt, out of which only 2.7Mt were documented and recycled. There is also a huge difference between the amount of e-waste generated by developed and developing countries.

Contribution to Greenhouse Gases

Electronic devices and parts are composed of chemicals and elements that are hazardous to human health and environment. These EEE, if not recycled or disposed of according to standard methods, can seep into the environment through various disposal sites. Almost 60 elements of the periodic table are used in the production of different electrical and electronic equipment.

Along with hazardous elements such mercury, lead, cadmium, e-waste also contain metals such as copper, gold, aluminium, iron, platinum etc, which have high recyclable value. Some of these elements are recoverable and some of the products can be recycled through the means of circular economy, in which the e-waste is treated as potential raw material resource than waste.

Source: R Planet Integrated Solutions Pvt. Ltd

E-Waste contributes to climate change primarily due to the release of toxic chemicals such as Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), when the electronics are not adequately disposed. These equipments when burned, release the toxic gases into the atmosphere through the landfills and mining area, thus adding to the composition of greenhouse gases in the environment. Non-recyclable E-Waste contribute to 4.25% of greenhouse emissions.

However, recycling provides alternative methods to reduce e-waste and the hazardous emissions. It reduces methane emissions which are 25% more potential than carbon to get trapped in the atmosphere.

Countries should focus on these recyclable materials through which valuable elements from the e-waste can be recovered. They should encourage reusing, repairing, refurbishing and redistributing electronic products. It is also necessary for countries to develop efficient take-back systems so that hazardous products do not land up at landfill sites.

Circular economy models would help in developing mechanisms for recycling or extraction of valuable metals from e-waste, thereby; decreasing the impact of emissions on environment. It will also decrease the need for new raw materials. The value of the extracted metals can facilitate business opportunities giving rise to employment opportunities in e-waste management ventures and thus enhancing waste management systems across countries.