ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

MODULE-4

E-waste Collection and Recycling, Methods of E-waste Collection,

Recycling and Disposal
The first and foremost thing consumers should do is become aware of what products they are
using and how they are disposing of them off. Conscious disposal of e-waste helps reduce the
rising pile of waste and the harmful results it has.

Secondly, the 3 R’s is a great solution. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. However, reducing the
use of electronics and electrical products is not easy and at one point, impossible.

Reusing products until they reach their end-of-life stage, instead of throwing away products
after using, donating or selling them is a good idea.

Recycling of e-waste is popularly opted around the world. When you give away a product, for
example, a mobile phone to a recycler, it goes a long way. This mobile phone and its parts
could be used in manufacturing new mobile phones, other non-reusable parts get disposed of
carefully and consciously.

E WASTE COLLECTION

E-waste generated at the household level in most of the countries is managed in three ways:
(i) by dumping it to waste bins,
(ii) through formal collection by government recognized bodies, and
(iii) collection outside the formal system by individual waste dealers and companies
E-waste collected through authorized commercial and/or municipal collection points and pick-
up services is usually recycled at facilities having advanced technology and machinery and
infrastructure for safe and efficient removal of valuable materials (formal recycling). On the
other hand, the e-waste collected outside the formal system by individual waste companies or
dealers is mostly processed and recycled under sub-optimal conditions with primitive
techniques and usually without any provisions to reduce the emission of hazardous chemicals
into the environment (informal recycling). E-waste dumped into landfills or sold to peddlers
often end up by polluting the environment through leaching into soil and groundwater, and via
emission into the surrounding air, soil, and surface water.
A substantial amount of valuable resources are also lost through disposing or during recycling
under inferior conditions. Thus, formal e-waste recycling is the safest way to manage e-waste.
However, recent estimates suggest that only about 17.4 % (9.3 Mt) of the global e-waste
generated in 2019 has been collected and recycled in the formal sector, leaving the flow of rest
44.3 Mt (82.6 %) e-waste undocumented (Forti et al., 2020). This suggests that most of the e-
waste, particularly in Asian and African countries is managed by the informal sector. Presence
of multiple precious metals (e.g. gold, platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium,
copper, and silver) along with other valuable materials such as iron, aluminium, cobalt, indium,

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

germanium, bismuth, and antimony, make e-waste an attractive source of economy among
local scrap dealers, dismantlers and recyclers.
Toxic substances present in EEE (e.g. heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, and
polychlorinated biphenyls), or those produced during recycling activities (e.g. polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated
dibenzofurans), and used for extracting metals (e.g. acids like HCl, H 2SO4, HNO3, HClO4,
NaClO) are often emitted in the local environment as primary, secondary and tertiary
emissions, respectively from informal recycling, leading to an increase in the levels of toxic
pollutants in the ecosystem. Long term recycling activities in the informal sector compounded
with long term persistence of e-waste pollutant in the environment increases the exposure risk
to the waste recycling workers and the population inhabiting nearby localities and thus is a
health hazard.
In India, the main generators of electrical and electronic waste happen to be government
institutions, and public and private sector bodies, collectively referred to as bulk consumers.
Bulk consumers account for almost 70 per cent of the e-waste generated in the country. The
contribution from households and domestic establishments, which are referred to as individual
consumers, is relatively small, but the rate of leakage from individual consumer into the
informal sector is extremely high.

E WASTE RECYCLING

E-waste recycling primarily involves two stages—manual collection, sorting,

separating and dismantling followed by mechanical processing which involves
shredding, grinding, etc. Recovered materials are sent to relevant facilities for further
treatment and recovery of resources.

E-waste recycling is a very broad term that is not limited to just one stakeholder. Every
stakeholder has a part to play in the value chain for ensuring sustainable e-waste
management. Producers have to stop the approach of ‘design for obsolescence’ and
start focusing on ‘build for reuse’. Authorities have to spread awareness among
stakeholders regarding the potential hazards of e-waste. Consumers have to start
channelizing their e-waste to dismantling and recycling facilities that operate using
environmentally sound technologies to treat the waste.

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Process flow of e-waste recycling

dismanting and segregation, including

for the purpose of de-pollution
Appliances

Fractions

Mechanical processing Materials

grinding and segregation) and

selective treatment

The sources and points of leakages through which e-waste reaches informal recyclers are multi-
pronged and so are the destinations of the resources recovered from e-waste treated in these
informal setups. Obviously, informal processing also generates waste that cannot be processed
further and informal recyclers resort to multiple channels to get rid of rejects generated by the
system
E-waste Treatment and Disposal

Since e-waste is a mixture of valuable material that is recoverable and recyclable with toxic
substance that needs to be safely disposed its treatment is also complex. E-waste requires both
labour-intensive manual segregations along with capital intensive technical processes for the
separation of toxic waste. Handling e-waste by beginning with manual dismantling has been
recommended as the best starting process for its treatment. This prevents mixing up the
different constituent materials which otherwise reduces its value and increases the challenges
in recovering material. The dismantled e-waste is separated into glass, copper, steel,
aluminium, plastic, printed circuit boards, etc. The total content of printed circuit board in e-
waste is 3-5% by weight, while metals, plastic, and glass, constitute the remaining 95-97%.
The hazardous components like capacitors and batteries, CRT screens, CFC gases, light bulbs
and batteries are also separated and removed at this stage.

Once the critical toxic compounds are removed the e-waste is subjected to mechanical process.
This mechanical processing which is normally a large-scale operation enables increase of
recyclable materials in a dedicated fraction and also helps to further separate hazardous
materials. Typical components of a mechanical processing plant are

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

1. crushing units,
2. shredders,
3. magnetic separators
4. eddy-current- separators etc
5. air-separators.
The gas emissions are filtered and effluents are treated to minimize environmental impact.
High-pressure compaction and cement solidification can also be used for the treatment of
printed wire board (PWBs) into safe forms for co-disposing with MSW.
The final step in e-waste recycling is refining. This is an energy and capital-intensive process.
Most of the fractions obtained here are refined to be sold as secondary raw materials. During
the refining process, attention is paid to metals, glass and plastic. At the end of refining and
after extraction of valuable fractions the residue, which is usually non-usable and toxic, is
disposed in specially designed disposal facilities for hazardous waste.
Innovative e-waste recycling methods are being developed to tackle the growing challenge of
electronic waste. Here are some of the notable methods:
• Automated Sorting and Dismantling: Traditional manual sorting is being replaced by
automated systems that can quickly and accurately separate e-waste components.
• Chemical Recycling: This process converts e-waste into useful raw materials through
chemical reactions, offering a way to recover valuable elements.
• Upcycling: Instead of just recycling, upcycling involves creatively repurposing e-waste
into new products with higher environmental value.
• Closed-Loop Recycling: This system aims to keep materials within the production cycle
for as long as possible, reducing the need for new raw materials.
• Community-Based Recycling: Local initiatives that involve the community in
collecting and processing e-waste can be effective in managing electronic waste.
• Electronic Waste Collection and Recycling Kiosks: These kiosks make it easier for
consumers to dispose of their e-waste responsibly.
• E-Waste-to-Energy Concept: Some technologies are exploring the conversion of e-
waste into energy, adding another dimension to waste management.
Disposal of e-waste
Consumers can safely dispose of batteries and other hazardous components by following these
guidelines:
• Recycle or Drop-off: Waste batteries should be recycled or taken to household
hazardous waste collection points. Many retailers offer designated drop-off locations
for batteries.
• Tape Terminals: To prevent fires, especially from lithium-ion batteries, it’s
recommended to tape the battery terminals and/or place the batteries in separate plastic
bags.
• Avoid Trash: Never put batteries in household garbage or recycling bins as they can
cause fires and release toxic substances.
• Use Resources: Utilize consumer guides and fact sheets provided by organizations like
the US EPA and Energy Saver to learn about proper disposal methods for different
types of batteries.

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

•
Retailer Programs: Retailers like Best Buy and Lowe’s offer e-waste drop-off
programs. Staples provides purchase vouchers to customers who bring in e-waste for
recycling.
• Company Initiatives: Companies such as Apple have trade-in programs that encourage
customers to return their used products for recycling or refurbishment1.
• Global Initiatives: The World Economic Forum highlights several initiatives aimed at
boosting e-waste recycling rates to reuse valuable metals and minerals contained in old
devices.
• Regional Success: Europe has been noted for having the highest collection and
recycling rate, covering about 42.5% of the total e-waste generated in 2019, with Asia
ranking second at 11.7%.
Apple Company announced their new robot recycler for iPhone recently, they are
• Liam robot in 2016
• Daisy robot in 2018
• Dave in 2020
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q.1. What is Environmentally Sound Management of E-Waste?

A. Environmentally sound management of E-Waste means taking all steps required to
ensure that E-Waste is managed in a manner which shall protect health and
environment against any adverse effects, which may result from such E-Waste.

Q.2. Whether a Refurbisher/ Recycler authorized in a State can collect E-Waste in a State other
than the State where their facility has been authorized?

A. Recyclers and Refurbisher can collect E-Waste from anywhere in the country for the
purpose of recycling or refurbishing.

Q.3. What is Historical E-Waste?

A. ‘Historical E-Waste’ means e-waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment
as specified in Schedule-I which was available on the date from which these rules come
into force. Eg:- Vacuum tubes, ICs, Transistors etc..

Q 4. What are Orphaned Products?

A. ‘Orphaned products’ means non-branded or assembled electrical and electronic

equipment as specified in Schedule I or those produced by a company, which has
closed its operations;

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. What is the role of the informal sector in electronic waste recycling?
a. Strict enforcement of waste disposal regulations
b. Vital role in waste collection and recycling
c. No impact on waste recycling practices
d. Limited involvement in waste management
2. What are the economic benefits related to electronic waste management?
a. Increased production cost
b. Market saturation, reduced demand
c. Recovering valuable materials
d. Trade deficits
3. Why is e-waste management important?
a. To increase the production of electronic devices
b. To reduce the amount of electronic waste generated
c. To encourage improper disposal of electronic devices
d. To export e-waste to other countries
4. What is the first step in e-waste management?
a. Incineration of e-waste to reduce its volume
b. Landfill disposal of e-waste
c. Collection and segregation of e-waste
d. Exporting e-waste to other countries
5. Which of the following is a sustainable approach for managing e-waste?
a. Dumping e-waste in open areas or water bodies
b. Repairing and refurbishing electronic devices
c. Exporting e-waste to developing countries
d. Burning e-waste in open fires
6. What are the potential environmental impacts of improper e-waste disposal?
a. Increased resource conservation and reduced pollution
b. Soil and water contamination with hazardous substances
c. Enhanced recycling and reduced electronic waste generation
d. Creation of job opportunities in the recycling industry

7. The Nations first e-waste clinic has been established in

a. Bengaluru in Karnataka
b. Kochi in Kerala
c. Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh
d. Chennai in Tamil Nadu

8. Which electronic device has contributed the most to the total electronic export from India
a. laptops
b. TVs
c. Tablets
d. mobile phones
9. What is the primary goal of e-waste management?
A) To reduce landfill usage
B) To recover valuable materials
C) To minimize environmental impact
D) All of the above

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

10. Which of the following is not a method of e-waste disposal?

A) Landfilling
B) Incineration
C) Composting
D) Recycling
11. What does the ‘3R’ principle in e-waste management stand for?
A) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
B) Reclaim, Refurbish, Resell
C) Recover, Repurpose, Remanufacture
D) Repair, Refurbish, Reuse
12. What is the process of extracting valuable metals from e-waste called?
A) Landfill mining
B) Bioleaching
C) Urban mining
D) Composting
13. Which of these is a common challenge in e-waste recycling?
A) High cost of collection
B) Lack of consumer awareness
C) Difficulty in separating materials
D) All of the above
14. What is the primary method of e-waste collection in India?
A) Curbside pickup
B) Drop-off centers
C) Take-back schemes
D) Informal sector collection
15. Which of the following is a government-authorized e-waste recycler in India?
A) Karo Sambhav
B) Clean India
C) Greenpeace
D) Waste Warriors
16. What percentage of e-waste is estimated to be recycled properly in India?
A) Less than 5%
B) About 20%
C) Nearly 50%
D) Over 70%
17. Which of the following is NOT a common method of e-waste recycling in India?
A) Manual dismantling
B) Incineration
C) Landfilling
D) Chemical processing
18. Which electronic device contributes the most to global e-waste generation?
A) Mobile phones
B) Refrigerators
C) Televisions
D) Computers
19. What is the estimated annual growth rate of e-waste generation worldwide?
A) 2%
B) 5%
C) 8%
D) 10%
20. Which country is currently the largest producer of e-waste?
A) China
B) United States

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

C) India
D) Germany
21. What factor contributes significantly to the increase in e-waste generation?
A) Longer product lifespans
B) Decrease in electronic device usage
C) Rapid technological advancement
D) Increased recycling rates
22. Which of the following is a significant challenge in managing e-waste generation?
A) Lack of consumer awareness
B) Excessive production of electronic devices
C) Inadequate government regulations
D) All of the above
23. What is the first step in safely disposing of e-waste?
A) Throwing it in the trash
B) Donating to a local charity
C) Taking it to a certified e-waste recycler
D) Selling it online
24. Which of the following is NOT a safe method of e-waste disposal?
A) Incineration
B) Landfilling
C) Recycling
D) Upcycling
25. What should you do before disposing of electronic devices?
A) Remove all personal data
B) Break them into smaller pieces
C) Paint them in a different color
D) Wrap them in plastic wrap
26. Which organization provides guidelines for safe e-waste disposal?
A) World Health Organization (WHO)
B) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
C) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
D) All of the above
27. Why is it important to dispose of e-waste safely?
A) To prevent environmental pollution
B) To protect public health
C) To conserve natural resources
D) All of the above
28. E-waste generated at the household level in most of the countries is managed by
A) by dumping it to waste bins,
B) through formal collection by government recognized bodies, and
C) collection outside the formal system by individual waste dealers and companies
D) All of the above

29. __________ involves creatively repurposing e-waste into new products with higher
environmental value.
A) Recycling
B) Upcycling
C) Landfilling
D) None of the above

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 ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT-ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

30. Which continent has the highest collection and recycling rate, covering about 42.5% of
the total e-waste generated in 2019.
A) Asia
B) Africa
C) Europe
D) North America

31. Apple Company announced their new robot recyclers for iPhone recently, which are
they
A) Liam robot in 2016
B) Daisy robot in 2018
C) Dave in 2020
D) All of these
32. __________ are obsolete devices from the past that have become outdated (like vacuum
tubes and transistors) and are now part of the e-waste stream.

A) Historical e-waste
B) Special e-waste
C) Hazardous waste
D) None of these
33. What are Orphaned products in e-waste?
A) Historical e-waste
B) Special e-waste
C) non-branded or assembled electrical and electronic equipment
D) None of these

MRS. CHINDU MOHAN, DEPT OF CIVIL, VVIT, BENGALURU-77 9