E-waste in the modern world: Opportunities and Challenges

Electronic or electrical wastes that are discarded are called e-waste

While the plastic menace has gained attention worldwide, another type of waste is also increasing alarmingly, and we need to address it soon—e-waste! Did you know that India alone produced around 3,230 kilotons of e-waste in 2023? This statistic is really unbelievable. But do these 3,230 kilotons deserve a place in the landfill? In this blog, let's explore the opportunities and challenges of e-waste in the modern world!

What is e-waste?

Electronic and electrical products that are discarded and no longer usable are called e-waste. E-waste consists of cellphones, computers, CCTV cameras, and so on. India's share of global e-waste generation increased from 3.1% in 2010 to 6.4% in 2022. The report highlights that in 2022, most of this waste was produced by developing countries in Asia, with China contributing nearly half of it.

E-waste is a cocktail of various poisonous chemicals that can cause serious illnesses!

E-waste contains many toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury that can cause chronic diseases, respiratory ailments, and cancers. Disposal of electronic items in the environment can degrade air, water, and land severely. The harmful pollutants can lead to significant contamination of groundwater, leading to damage of farmlands. The contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can also cause fatal illnesses.

The latest UN report of 2024 states that globally, the formal sectors collected around 22.3% of e-waste and recycled it in an environmentally safe manner. Furthermore, the report also states that the trend will fall to 20% by 2030 due to fewer recycling efforts and the fast growth of e-waste. However, just like plastic waste, e-waste can turn into a boon for mankind if we treat it properly.

E-waste: A world of opportunities and challenges

While many of us discard the old electronic products, we often don't realize that their components might still be useful. Thus, it is very essential that our e-waste gets properly segregated from the solid waste and gets recycled in an environmentally safe manner.

Unfortunately, there are millions of people in India, and, I guess, in the world too, who handle e-waste and recycle it in unsafe, manual recycling operations. This opens the door to various health hazards for the workers who are handling it - as they don't wear any protective gear, they get exposed to various poisonous chemicals.

Hence, there should be formal sectors to effectively manage the e-waste. Currently, there are only a few certified formal sectors which are doing the correct e-waste management. The certificates useful for e-waste recycling are R2 certification, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO OHSAS 45001, and pollution control board certification.

A certified recycler can help in reducing environmental and health impacts from improper electronics handling and recycling. Moreover, these certifications can also provide increased access to quality refurbished and reusable equipment. Additionally, a responsible recycler helps in reducing energy consumption and the exploitation of virgin materials and resources.

E-waste can be handled in 4 different ways - Recover, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle.

Recover: Recovering e-waste involves several key steps. First, e-waste is collected from various sources and then sorted and dismantled to separate components. Large items are shredded into smaller pieces, and materials are sorted using techniques like magnetic and eddy current separation. Valuable metals are recovered through smelting, plastics are recycled into new products, and glass is processed for reuse.

Hazardous substances are carefully managed and neutralized to prevent environmental contamination. Finally, recovered materials are used to produce new products or refurbish components, while non-recyclable waste is disposed of responsibly, ensuring an efficient and sustainable recycling process.

Reuse: E-waste often contains functional components such as RAM, hard drives, processors, and various chips. These components can be tested and reused in other devices. Refurbished products made from these parts can be essential for aspiring students or individuals with limited financial resources.

Reusing e-waste not only makes technology more accessible but also reduces the environmental impact by minimizing the amount of electronic waste that ends up in landfills. This practice conserves valuable resources and reduces the demand for new raw materials. Additionally, it can create job opportunities in the refurbishment and recycling industries, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.

Repair: Repairing e-waste significantly benefits the environment by reducing landfill waste and conserving natural resources. It lowers the demand for new raw materials, decreasing the environmental harm caused by mining and extraction. Additionally, it reduces carbon emissions by minimizing the need for new electronic production.

In July 2021, the UK introduced the “Right to Repair” law, aiming to extend the life of appliances and electronics by up to 10 years. This law mandates that companies manufacture spare parts and make them available to citizens and third-party repair companies. Repairing electronics also lessens pollution from harmful substances released during manufacturing and disposal processes. This practice supports sustainable consumption and promotes a circular economy, where products are used for longer periods, thereby maximizing their value and minimizing environmental impact.

Recycling promotes sustainable practices and supports the circular economy by extending the life of appliances and other electronic products

Recycle: Recycling e-waste involves collecting and processing discarded electronics to recover valuable materials and properly dispose of hazardous substances. This process lowers energy consumption compared to producing new materials and mitigates pollution by safely handling toxic components.

Recycling promotes sustainable practices and supports the circular economy by extending the life of materials. It also drives economic growth by creating jobs in the recycling sector and raises awareness about responsible disposal. Encouraging corporate responsibility, it ensures companies design products with recycling in mind, contributing to environmental stewardship.

Challenges

Despite the benefits, managing e-waste poses significant challenges. Informal recycling operations expose workers to toxic chemicals, leading to severe health hazards. The lack of awareness and infrastructure for proper e-waste segregation exacerbates environmental pollution. Moreover, insufficient formal sectors and certified recyclers hinder effective e-waste management. As the volume of e-waste continues to rise, tackling these challenges becomes critical to mitigate the harmful impacts on both human health and the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, e-waste management presents both opportunities and challenges. While the potential for recovering valuable materials and promoting sustainable practices is immense, addressing the associated health and environmental risks is crucial. Establishing certified recycling facilities, enhancing public awareness, and implementing robust regulations are essential steps towards responsible e-waste management. By prioritizing reuse, repair, recycling, and recovery, we can transform e-waste from a growing menace into a valuable resource, fostering a cleaner environment and a sustainable future for generations to come. Responsible e-waste management is not just an option; it’s a necessity.