Status of E-Waste in India - A Review

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2021

In India, the quantity of "E-Waste" or Electronic Waste has now become a major problem. Disposal of E-Waste is an emerging global environmental and public health issue, as this waste, has become the most rapidly growing segment of the formal municipal waste stream in the world (Dahl, 2002). Electronic Waste (E-Waste) typically includes discarded computer monitors, motherboards, mobile phones and chargers, compact discs, headphones, television sets, A.C. and Refrigerators. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2017, India generates about 2 Million Tonnes (MT) of E-Waste annually and ranks fifth among E-Waste producing countries after USA,

2014

Electronic Waste or E-waste, resulting from obsolete electrical and electronic devices is posing to be a rapidly expanding issue in today's world. Yet it has limited awareness among the masses. Prevailing to be a consistent problem in the developed countries, the e-waste management scenario in the developing countries is even worse due to improper disposal of e-waste or otherwise unsafe and primitive technologies involved in its recycling. This paper delves into the issue of proliferating e-waste accumulation, with emphasis on the NorthEastern part of India and suggests a few effective ways for abatement of this impending hazard. During the course of our study it has come to the fore, that unless the problem of e-waste management is immediately addressed, it will continue to emanate and prove to be detrimental to human health as well as the environment.

International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology

In the electronic industry, e-scraps or e-wastes refer to electronic goods that are discarded or unneeded. About 50 million ton of e-wastes are produced every year. Depending on their reactions, there might be potential danger. E-wastes, such as computer batteries and other electrochemical waste, may cause unwanted results, so it is important to consider them along with physical wastes. India generates about 1.5 lakh tons of e-waste annually, and almost all of it ends up in the informal sector as there is no organized alternative. It is well documented that humanity's capabilities were enhanced by the industrial revolution. However, the revolutionary changes experience by societies across the globe due to the application of electronics are deeper and more widespread than the impact of the industrial revolution. Human society has been profoundly changed by the electronics age and has become more connected than ever before. Electronic items have contributed to smoother communication, economic growth, and job opportunities. However, in addition to the positives, technology has brought to light a number of concerns, such as the growing problem of ewaste, which society must confront head on. In the existing situation, it is always possible that human health and the environment would be in trouble. If coordinated legislation and activities for efficient e-waste management and disposal were not enacted. This paper aims to provide a quick overview of the relatively new notion of e-waste, its production in India, and the associated environmental and health implications. It emphasizes the booming informal and nascent official e-waste recycling economies, as well as the urgent need for more explicit legislation and a forward-looking strategy. The paper also examines global e-waste trading and international experience in this area. There is also a list of references at the conclusion for further reading. Each year, hundreds of thousands of consumer electronics, computers, monitors, phones, printers, televisions and other portable devices become outdated and were mainly dumped to the landfills or poorly recycled. Recent technological development and growing demands for new and better functioning electronics accelerate the amount of electronic waste (e-waste) worldwide, making it to be one of the fastest growing streams in many countries. The estimated lifespan of electronics is about three to five years because of the increasing rates of consumption, new developments and urbanization.

International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies, 2020

E-waste or Electronic wastes are referred to the electronic goods that are discarded or unwanted. Each year, around more than 50 million ton of e-wastes are created Depending upon their nature of response, there are possibilities for dangers depending upon the condition. Discarded computers, batteries and other electro chemical wastes may outcome in unwanted results. So it is essential to be awake of e wastes in addition to the other physical wastes. The condition is alarming as India creates about 1.5 lakh tones of e-waste annually and almost all of it finds its way into the informal sector as there is no organized alternative accessible at present. This paper discusses the present scenario of e-waste management, sources of e-waste management, future e-waste estimates and possible e-waste handling strategies in India.

Electronic waste or E-waste comprises of old, end-of-life electronic appliances such as computers, laptops, TVs, DVD players, refrigerators, freezers, mobile phones, MP3 players, etc., which have been disposed of by their original users. E-waste contains many hazardous constituents that may negatively impact the environment and affect human health if not properly managed. Various organizations, bodies, and governments of many countries have adopted and/or developed the environmentally sound options and strategies for E-waste management to tackle the ever growing threat of E-waste to the environment and human health. This paper presents E-waste composition, categorization, Global and Indian E-waste scenarios, prospects of recoverable, recyclable, and hazardous materials found in the E-waste, Best Available Practices, recycling, and recovery processes followed, and their environmental and occupational hazards. Public awareness of the health and environmental threat posed by e-waste is...

Electronic Green Journal, 2014

E-waste or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) illustrate discarded appliances that utilize electricity for their functioning. Today, the Indian market is engrossed with massive volumes of electrical and electronic goods and gadgets, having tremendously high domestic demand. Consequently, the amount of E-waste being generated in the country is flourishing at an alarming rate, although the management practices and policy initiatives of the same are still in an elementary stage. The current methods of storage, processing, recycling and disposal of E-waste in India have immense potential to harm human health and the environment. Furthermore, the policy level initiatives related to E-waste in India are reasonably recent and inadequate to address the issue. The paper tries to evaluate the current status of E-waste management practices in India. The domination of informal sector in the E-waste recycling business with all its socioeconomic , health and environmental implications are dealt with in detail and the dawdling progress of formal recycling units in the country is assessed upon. The paper tries to identify the range of diverse stakeholders in the E-waste management system in India. These stakeholders are significant right from the production of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) to the final disposal of E-waste. The paper concludes that identifying the range of stakeholders in the E-waste management system and constructing a sustainable E-waste management system involving these stakeholders are the needs of the hour. E-waste management In India, E-waste is becoming an important waste stream in terms of both quantity and toxicity (Wath et al., 2010). Managing the ever increasing volume of E-waste is a major concern for most of the countries today. The first major problem associated with E-waste management is its ever increasing quantum, and second is its scientific and environment friendly disposal, which is very crucial (Wath et al., 2010). In India, domestic E-waste is significant in addition to illegal imports (Sepúlveda et al., 2010). It is argued that due to low market penetration rate in the past, the stock of EEE already put on the market has not been as large as that in OECD countries and the market of most products is far from saturated (Ongondo, Williams and Cherrett, 2011). Due to these developments, countries like India face a fast increasing load of WEEE originating both inland and through illegal imports (Streicher-Porte et al., 2005). According to the MoEF (2008), the electronics industry has emerged as the fastest growing segment of Indian industry both in terms of production and exports. The report further states that the share of software services in electronics and IT sector has gone up from 38.7 per cent in 1998-99 to 61.8 percent in 2003-04. A review of the industry statistics show that in 1990-91, hardware accounted for nearly 50% of total IT revenues while software's share was 22%. The scenario changed by 1994-95, with hardware share falling to 38% and software's share rising to 41%. This shift in the IT industry began with liberalization and the subsequent opening up of Indian markets (MoEF, 2008). With the development of IT industries emerged the problems related to E-waste. Although, today, IT industries contribute the most significant share to the E-waste stream, consumer electronics also mark a major portion of it.

Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology (AJAST), 2017

E-waste or Electronic wastes are referred to the electronic goods that are dumped out or unwanted. Each year, around 50 million ton of e-wastes are produced. Depending upon their nature of reaction, there are possibilities for dangers depending upon the situation. Discarded computers, batteries and other electro chemical wastes may results in unwanted results. So it‟s important to be awake of e wastes in addition to the other physical wastes. The situation is alarming as India generates about 1.5 lakh tones of e-waste annually and almost all of it finds its way into the informal sector as there is no organized alternative available at present. This paper discusses the present scenario of e-waste management and possible e-waste handling strategies in India.

In recent decades, the use of electronic and electrical devices has increased significantly, leading to rapidly rising amounts of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).Electronics industry is considered as the world‟s largest and fastest growing manufacturing industry. The electronic devices reach at the end of their useful life: they become a waste (e-waste) of waste Electrical and electronics equipment (WEEE). „e-waste‟ is a term used to describe old, end-of-life electronic appliances such as computers, laptops, TV‟s, radios, refrigerators etc., which have been discarded by users. Increased consumption of electrical and electronic equipment due to its utilization in the day to day life of individuals has indirectly explained the increase in the generation of e waste. The management of e waste has become an environmental concern in many developing countries as urbanization continues to take place. The current practices of e-waste management in India suffer from a number of drawbacks like unhealthy conditions of informal recycling, inadequate legislation, and poor awareness. India is facing the problem of e-waste management due to lack of awareness among people about dangerous effect of e-waste on environment and human being through informal e-waste collection and absence of implementation of rules for the process of ewaste in environment friendly manner. This paper focuses on the current status of e waste in India, problems associated with e waste, e waste handling practices, strategies and rules for handling e waste. The aim of this paper is also to identify the attitude of consumers towards e waste handling practices, e waste disposal and e waste recycling in some areas of Aurangabad City (Maharashtra).

Journal of environmental health science & engineering, 2014

Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the emerging problems in developed and developing countries worldwide. It comprises of a multitude of components with valuable materials, some containing toxic substances, that can have an adverse impact on human health and the environment. Previous studies show that India has generated 0.4 million tons of e-waste in 2010 which may increase to 0.5 to 0.6 million tons by 2013-2014. Coupled with lack of appropriate infrastructural facilities and procedures for its disposal and recycling have posed significant importance for e-waste management in India. In general, e-waste is generated through recycling of e-waste and also from dumping of these wastes from other countries. More of these wastes are ending up in dumping yards and recycling centers, posing a new challenge to the environment and policy makers as well. In general electronic gadgets are meant to make our lives happier and simpler, but the toxicity it contains, their disposal and recyclin...

Proceedings of the Second Symposium, 2011

However, India is rich in ores and mineral, but E-waste recycling is necessary due to the report of national and international studies, which cautioned on the generation, treatment and accumulation of e-waste in India. Current data indicate that the total domestic e-waste generation including imports is around 382979 MT, however waste available for recycling and actually recycled are 144143 MT and 19000 MT, respectively. In which recycling by non-formal and formal sector are 95% and 5%, respectively. On the other hand, India has developed expertise in handling verities of metallic wastes in an organized and safe manner. The development of individual process or combined processes for handling the e-waste is underway. Eco-friendly and energy-saving processes are necessary to comply with stringent environmental regulations. The paper includes the recent trend of e-waste generation, recycling process and its future prospects particularly in India. Introduction With the development of technology, the lifespan of electrical and electronic equipments (EEE) is decreasing. The life span of computers has decreased from 4.5 to 2 years in the period 1992 to 2005, thus generating large amount of e-waste to the extent of 20-50 million tones/ year in the world [1]. In India alone, 330 thousand tones of e-waste generated in 2007, which is expected to rise 470 thousand tonnes by 2011 [2]. The e-wastes contain valuable, precious and hazardous elements viz. iron, copper, gold, silver, cadmium, mercury etc. In order to meet the environmental norms for hazardous waste disposal and conservation of natural resources around the world, there is a growing concern for the safe recycling of e-waste. Recycling of e-wastes is carried out by the formal and non-formal sectors for the recovery of valuables and disposing of wastes. In India, participation for recycling of e-wastes by non-formal sector is about 95% and that of formal sector is 5%. The greater share of unscientific handling of e-waste recycling by non-formal sector causes serious threat to the environment due the emission of dioxine, furan and other harmful gases along with element viz. lead, cadmium, mercury etc. The availability of huge amount of e-wastes and environmental concern attributed development in handling and recycling technology in India and other countries. Some operating or proposed industries for the recycling of e-waste in India are the following companies: Attero Recycling, Delhi, (www.attero.in), Trishyiraya Recycling India Private Limited, (www.ewaste.in), Ecoreco, (www.ecoreco.com), and E-Parisara, (www.ewasteindia.com) These industries are operating ewaste centers in different parts of India viz. Delhi, Meerut, Ferozabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. Various R&D work have been proposed for the development of e-waste recycling processes. In this regard few review papers are also appearing in national and international seminars [3]. Various government organization and research centers are trying to achieve an integrated process for the recovery and separation of metals from the e-wastes including pretreatment process like cutting, shredding, grinding, air classification followed by leaching and 73 Recycling of Electronic Waste II, Proceedings of the Second Symposium