Team

members
ANISHA DWIVEDI
(2020)

SHAILENDRA SHUKLA
(2009)

ROOPESH RANJAN
(2030)

SHUBHAM PRAKASH
(2033)
Content
 Introduction
 Sources of E-waste
 Current scenario in India
 Challenges and Impact
 Global Perspective
 Handling E-waste Management
 Improved Ways of E-Waste Disposal
 Case Studies & Innovations
 Conclusion
Introduction
E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electrical or
electronic devices. This includes everything from outdated mobile
phones, computers, and televisions to home appliances like
microwaves, washing machines, medical devices etc.
It also includes waste which is
generated during
manufacturing or assembling
of electronic machines.
In our digital age, electronic
waste, or e-waste, has
become a significant
environmental issue.
Understanding its impact is
crucial for crafting innovative
solutions.
Key Sources of E-waste

5%
10% Consumer Electronics:
5%
Items like mobile phones,
tablets, computers, printers,
50% etc.
10% Large Appliances:
Refrigerators, washing
machines, air conditioners,
20%
microwaves, etc.
Small Appliances: Toasters,
irons, coffee makers, etc.
Lighting Equipment:
Fluorescent lights, bulbs, and
other related devices.
Medical Equipment: X-ray
Consumer Electronics Large appliances Small Appliances
machines, diagnostic devices,
etc.
Medical Equipment Lighting Equipment Others Others: Miscellaneous
sources, including toys,
leisure devices, tools, etc.
 Where does it come from?

Home Private
Hospitals Government
Sectors
•PC
•PC •PC
•TV •PC
•Monitors •CPU
•Cell Phones •Boilers
•ECG Device •Fax Machine
•Radio •Mixer
•Microscope •Xerox Machine
•Fan •Signal
•Air Conditions •Scanner
•Electric Iron Generators
•Medical Devices •Fan
•Washing •Incubator
•Tube light
Machine
•Air Conditions
•CD Player
•Micro oven
Why is E-waste
different
E-waste is unique because it combines both
valuable and hazardous materials in a single
category of waste. Unlike other types of
waste, electronic devices often contain rare
and precious metals, such as gold, silver,
and palladium, which can be recovered and
reused. At the same time, e-waste contains
toxic substances like lead, mercury, and
cadmium, which can be harmful to the
environment and human health if not
properly managed. The rapid pace of
technological advancement also makes e-
waste unique, as devices become obsolete
quickly, leading to a high turnover and a
growing volume of waste. Proper handling of
e-waste requires specialized recycling
processes to safely extract valuable
materials and prevent pollution.
Challenges
Challenges Improper Disposal
A significant portion of E-waste is improperly
disposed of, often ending up in landfills, which
poses environmental risks.

Health Risks
Hazardous materials found in E-waste can
lead to severe health problems for
individuals exposed to them.

Lack of Awareness
Many people are unaware of the proper
methods fora disposing of E-waste,
contributing to the growing problem.
Why these challenges?
Low Recycling Informal Recycling in
Rates Developing Nations

Despite the massive Countries like India

amount of e-waste and Nigeria have
generated worldwide, large informal recycling
only about 17% is sectors, where workers
properly recycled. The use unsafe methods
rest either ends up in like open burning and
landfills or is acid baths to recover
processed in informal valuable materials
recycling sectors. from discarded
electronics.
The ‘2024 Digital Economy Report:
Shaping an environmentally sustainable
and inclusive digital future’ reports…..
Source: Wikipedia

There are More

Mobile Phones Than
People. .
•

People Discard
350,000 Mobile
Phones Daily on the
global scale. .
•
TOP 5 E-WASTE GENERATING
COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
CHINA USA INDIA JAPAN GERMANY

11.7 Million 6.17 Million 3.2 Million 2.5 Million 1.8 Million
Tonnes Tonnes Tonnes Tonnes Tonnes

 India was ranked as the 3rd largest generator of electronic waste in

the world. A study conducted The Associated Chambers of Commerce
and Industry of India in 2016, ranked India among one of the top 3
countries in the world in terms of e-waste generation, with an estimated
3.2 million tones generated annually.

 According to a recent United Nations University (UNU) report, global

e-waste will increase by 38% in the decade between 2020 and 2030.
 Biggest contribution of E-
waste in India
Over 2 Million old PCs State wise contribution of
ready for Disposal in India E-waste in India

This graph is from QUARTZ INDIA article by Ananya

Bhattacharya
Current Scenario in India

E-waste Piling Up
City Name E-waste (in Tonnes)

Mumbai 11,017
Delhi 9,730
Bangalore 4648
Chennai 4132
Kolkata 4025
Ahmadabad 3287
Hyderabad 2833
Pune 2584
Surat 1836
Growth of E-waste in India
Source: Wikipedia

The largest E-waste site on

earth is on GUIYU, China.
Approximately 88% of
Children there have
Dangerous levels of lead in
there blood.
Global
Globalperspective
perspective
International E-Waste Day
Each year, International E-Waste Day is held on 14 October, an
opportunity to reflect on the impacts of e-waste and the necessary
actions to enhance circularity for e-products. ​International E-Waste
Day was developed in 2018 by the WEEE Forum to raise the public
profile of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling and
encourage consumers to recycle.
Global Growth
As the world continues to embrace technology at a staggering
pace, the amount of electronic waste, or e-waste, generated
globally has reached alarming levels. The world generated around
65 billion tons of e-waste in 2024 alone, driven by rapid
technological advancement, shorter product lifecycles, and
increasing global populations. However, only a small portion—
roughly 17%—is properly recycled.

Key Drivers of E-Waste

Growth:
• Rapid Technological Advancement

• Global Population Growth

• Consumerism and E-Waste

• Planned Obsolescence
Global Statistics

Continent E-waste generation in 2020

Source: The Asean
Developing v/s Developed nations
E-waste is a significant issue affecting both developed and developing
countries, though in different ways.

Developed countries generate more e-waste due to higher consumption

and frequent technology upgrades. They have better infrastructure and
regulations for managing e-waste, but still face challenges, including
exporting waste to developing nations, often illegally. Despite recycling
initiatives, much e-waste still ends up in landfills or sent abroad.

Developing countries, on the other hand, have growing e-waste due to

increased consumption of electronics, often imported second-hand. They
lack formal recycling systems and are major recipients of e-waste from
developed nations. The waste is typically processed by the informal sector
in hazardous conditions, leading to severe health and environmental risks.
Developed countries generally have the resources to manage e-waste
more effectively, but the burden of unsafe e-waste processing falls
disproportionately on developing nations. Addressing this issue requires
global cooperation, better enforcement of regulations, and investment in
sustainable recycling infrastructures.
Policies adopted by China
• Extended Producer Responsibility: EPR in China is a policy approach
aimed at reducing environmental impact. It primarily focuses on electronics,
packaging, and vehicles. Under EPR, manufacturers are responsible for the
collection, recycling, and safe disposal of their products, encouraging
sustainable production and reducing environmental pollution. China has been
strengthening its EPR framework in recent years as part of its broader
environmental protection initiatives.

• E-waste Management Law (2016): This law focuses on regulating the

collection, transportation, and recycling of e-waste. It prohibits the illegal
export of e-waste and ensures that manufacturers and retailers are
responsible for collecting e-waste from customers.

• Circular Economy Promotion Law (2020): This law promotes recycling

and resource recovery from e-waste, emphasizing the prohibition of illegal e-
waste exports. It mandates manufacturers to manage the full lifecycle of
electronic products​.

• Green Credit Guidelines (2021): These guidelines encourage financial

institutions to support e-waste recycling startups by offering low-interest
Expected percentage of E-waste recycling
by China’s E-waste policies.
What is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
shifts the responsibility of waste
management from municipalities to
manufacturers, covering the product’s
entire lifecycle from design to disposal.
EPR incentivizes producers to create eco-
friendly products that are easier to
recycle, supporting a circular economy.
EPR incentivizes producers to create eco-friendly products that are easier
to recycle, supporting a circular economy.

EPR policies help reduce the volume of waste that ends up in landfills,
ensuring more materials are recovered and reused.
By shifting responsibility to producers, EPR encourages more sustainable
production practices and promotes the design of environmentally friendly
products.
EPR reduces the financial and operational burden on local governments and
municipalities for waste management.
EPR can boost the recycling industry by creating a consistent supply of
recyclable materials and fostering innovation in recycling technologies.
 Germany China
Germany’s EPR model China’s National E-waste
mandates that producers Recycling Program and the
set up systems for 2016 E-waste Management
collecting and recycling Law require manufacturers
products. Companies that and retailers to collect and
fail to meet recycling manage E-waste
targets face penalties, responsibly. While these
which ensures policies aim to formalize the
accountability. This recycling sector, the
approach has led to a presence of illegal and
recycling rate of 46%, informal practices remains a
one of the highest in the significant challenge.
world.
Electronic waste generation of countries per
capita in Europe in 2022
Germany – Overview
Introduction to Germany’s E-Waste
Strategy
•Germany is a global leader in e-waste management, implementing
a structured and comprehensive system under the ElektroG
Act.

•The ElektroG Act is part of the WEEE Directive (Waste

Electrical and Electronic Equipment), which sets standards for the
collection, recycling, and disposal of e-waste across the European
Union.

•This strategy emphasizes environmental protection, resource

efficiency, and circular economy principles.
E-Waste Sorting and
Processing

•Advanced Sorting Technologies: Once

collected, e-waste is sorted into categories such as
large household appliances, IT equipment, and
small electronics. Automated systems and
manual disassembly are used to separate
components for recycling.

•Material Recovery: Valuable materials like

metals (gold, copper, silver), plastics, and glass are
extracted using innovative technologies,
ensuring maximum resource recovery. Hazardous
materials, such as batteries and chemicals, are
carefully treated and disposed of to prevent
environmental harm.
Germany -
Success and
Metrics
•High Recycling Rate: Germany
consistently achieves a recycling rate of
over 43% for electronic waste, one of the
highest in Europe. This includes a wide
range of products, from small household
items to large appliances.

•Collection Efficiency: Germany collects

approximately 9 kg of e-waste per capita
annually, exceeding the EU’s target of 4 kg
per capita.

•Landfill Diversion: The structured

recycling process significantly reduces the
amount of e-waste sent to landfills,
contributing to Germany’s overall waste
Japan - Overview
Introduction to
Japan’s E-Waste Laws
•Japan enforces the Home Appliance Recycling
Law (HARL), which mandates the recycling of
large household appliances such as TVs, air
conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines.

•Under HARL, both consumers and manufacturers

share responsibility for e-waste disposal, ensuring
proper recycling and resource recovery.
Japan - Technological Innovations
Advanced Recycling Technologies
•Japan leads in cutting-edge automated sorting systems that efficiently
categorize e-waste for recycling.

•Robotic disassembly technologies allow for the safe and precise breakdown of
complex electronic devices, improving recovery rates.

•Innovative metal recovery techniques enable Japan to extract valuable

materials like rare earth metals from e-waste, reducing reliance on mining.

•In Japan, government and private corporations collaborate closely to

develop and implement advanced e-waste management technologies.

•Companies like Panasonic and Toshiba actively invest in recycling innovations,

supported by government policies promoting sustainability.
Japan - Success
and Metrics
Recycling Rates
•Japan boasts impressive recycling rates, with
over 70% of materials from products like
refrigerators, air conditioners, and
televisions being successfully recovered
and recycled.

•As of 2021, approximately 1.5 million tons

of e-waste were recycled annually,
demonstrating high compliance with
regulatory standards.

•Manufacturers have invested over ¥30

billion (approx. $280 million) annually in
recycling technologies and initiatives to
enhance recovery rates.
Policies adopted by India
India has implemented several key policies to address its e-waste
problem, focusing on formalizing the recycling sector and promoting
sustainable management.

• E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016: This comprehensive

framework addresses the collection, recycling, and disposal of
electronic waste. It assigns responsibility to manufacturers,
producers, and retailers under the Extended Producer Responsibility
(EPR) model, which mandates the tracking and collection of electronic
waste. It also penalizes non-compliant companies.

• Amendments to E-waste Management Rules (2023): The updated

rules promote the development of compliance and further enhance the
role of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in overseeing e-
waste recycling. The aim is to increase the number of recycling units
and address challenges such as inconsistent enforcement and lack of
infrastructure​

• Recycling Targets: The government has set specific targets for

Policies adopted by some
OTHER nations
India- A Step Ahead of the
world
• India’s nationwide EPR model is a step ahead compared to the
fragmented approach seen in places like the U.S., where e-waste
policies differ across states

• India’s focus on expanding recycling infrastructure gives it an edge

over countries like South Korea and Vietnam, where recycling rates
are still low due to limited facilities.

• India’s agility in updating regulations ensures better adaptation to

current environmental and technological trends.

• India’s recognition of the informal sector’s role makes it more

effective in handling large volumes of e-waste compared to countries
like China, where informal recyclers face more restrictions.

• India’s emphasis on fostering startups and public-private cooperation

is ahead of many countries in Asia, including Vietnam and
Indonesia, where such initiatives are less pronounced.
Computers, mobile phones
and other electronic
products use a staggering
320 tones of gold and more
than 7,500 tones of silver
annually world wide worth
800 billion dollars
approximately.
Impacts and Solutions
Impact
Effects on
Environment

• Pollution of Ground-Water.
• Acidification of soil.
• Air Pollution.
• E-Waste accounts for 40 percent of the lead and 75 percent of
the heavy metals found in landfills.
• Polluted soil and water due to e-waste contamination can
disrupt local ecosystems, threatening wildlife habitats.
• Improper e-waste disposal can also contribute to
greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact
Effects on Human
Health

•Affects brain development of children.

•Chronic damage to the brain.
•Asthmatic bronchitis
•Lung Cancer.
•Damage to heart, liver and spleen.
•Reproductive and developmental problems.
•Respiratory and skin disorders due to bioaccumulation in
fishes.
•Damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, blood and
kidney.
effects of E-waste Elements on
human body
Element Effect on human body.

Lead Damage to central and peripheral nervous system,

blood and kidney damage. Affect brain development of
children.
Chromium Asthmatic Bronchitis. DNA damage.

Cadmium Toxic irreversible effect on human health. Accumulates

in kidney and liver. Causes neural damage.

Mercury Chronic damage to brain and respiratory system.

Plastics including Burning produces dioxin. It causes reproductive and

PVC developmental problems ; Immune system damage.
Careless Handling of E-Waste:
Current Practices
Throwing E-Waste into Household Trash:

Many people are unaware of the proper disposal methods for electronic devices,
so they often discard e-waste along with regular household trash.

Impact: These devices end up in general landfills, where the hazardous

materials inside them—such as lead, mercury, and cadmium—can leach into
the soil and groundwater, contaminating the [Link] practice is
extremely common due to a lack of public awareness and inadequate recycling
facilities in many regions.

Crude Metal Recovery Processes:

Metals like gold, silver, and copper are stripped from old devices using methods
like burning or acid leaching.

Impact: This process not only exposes workers to dangerous substances but
also causes severe air pollution. For example, lead and mercury vapors
released during this process pose serious health risks to both workers and
nearby communities.
Careless Handling of E-Waste:
Current Practices
Informal or "Backyard" Recycling
In many developing countries, informal
recycling industries exist where
workers dismantle old electronics
without safety protocols or
environmental regulations.

Impact: Workers, including children,

break apart devices by hand, often
exposing themselves to harmful
chemicals. Common methods include:

• Burning plastic casings to extract

valuable metals like copper, releasing
harmful dioxins into the air.
• Acid baths: To recover gold from
circuit boards, people use strong
acids, which are often dumped into
water sources afterward, polluting
Careless Handling of E-Waste:
Current Practices
Lack of Protective Gear and Training

Health Hazards for Workers:

• In many informal recycling settings,

workers lack proper protective gear,
like gloves or masks, leading to direct
contact with hazardous materials.

• This results in chronic health problems,

such as respiratory issues, skin
diseases, neurological damage, and
long-term exposure increases the risk of
cancers.

• Example: In places like Ghana and

India, recycling workers have been
found with dangerously high levels of
toxic metals in their bloodstreams.
Introduction to the Circular Economy
The circular economy is an economic model
that prioritizes sustainability by minimizing
waste and maximizing resource efficiency.
Unlike the traditional linear economy, which
follows a "take, make, dispose" approach, the
circular economy aims to keep products,
materials, and resources in continuous use.

Key Principles:

•Reduce: Limit resource use and waste

generation.

•Reuse: Extend product lifecycles through

repair, refurbishment, or repurposing.

•Recycle: Convert waste into new products,

minimizing
The theeconomy
circular need for fresh resources.
tackles environmental challenges,
conserves resources, and fosters sustainable growth.
Benefits and Examples of Circular
Economy
Environmental Benefits
- Reduces waste and pollution by keeping materials in use.
- Conserves natural resources and lowers carbon emissions.
- Promotes biodiversity and reduces environmental degradation.

Economic Benefits
- Lowers production costs by maximizing resource efficiency.
- Creates new business opportunities and green jobs.
- Drives innovation through sustainable design and closed-loop
systems.

Real-World Examples
- Closed-loop supply chains: Companies reuse materials in
production, reducing waste (e.g., Patagonia’s recycling of
clothing).
- Product-as-a-service: Businesses provide services instead of
selling products (e.g., Philips offering lighting as a service,
maintaining ownership of materials).
Companies Using the Circular
Economy
Apple:
Apple is implementing closed-loop recycling by
using recycled materials in products. Their Daisy
robot disassembles old devices to recover valuable
components, helping to reduce e-waste and
promote sustainability.

Nike:
Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program recycles old shoes
into materials used in sports surfaces like tracks
and playgrounds. Their Move to Zero initiative
focuses on using recycled fabrics and reducing
carbon emissions across the supply chain.

Unilever:
Unilever is advancing the circular economy by
committing to 100% recyclable packaging and
partnering with recycling programs. They also
focus on using sustainable materials and reducing
waste throughout their product lifecycle.
E-waste Management
E-waste management should begin at the point of
generation. This can be done by:-
•Waste minimization techniques by sustainable product
design.
 Regulatory Compliance and Follow Agreed Standards.
Steps for E-waste
management
Step 1: Use 3R technique to minimize the E-waste.
Step 2 Identify the E-waste category item.
 Step 3: Identify the E-waste composition or
determine it.
 Step 4: Identify possible hazardous content in E-
waste.
 Step 5: Identify, whether the E-waste component is
hazardous or the entire E-waste item is hazardous.
E-waste management
To use things with
care to reduce the
amount of waste
generated.

To repeat use of
items or parts of
items.

To use waste as
resources.
Recycling of E-waste
•Disassembly/dismantling :-
Disassembly is the systematic removal of components,
parts, a group of parts or a subassembly from a product which
is in E-waste.

•Upgrading :-
It includes comminuting and separation of materials using
mechanical / physical and/or metallurgical processing. Methods
to recover materials include incineration and refining.

• Materials Recovery :-
The material are recovered by recycling facilities. The
plastic, glass, metals can be recovered by sorting them before
mixing with other waste.
Advantages of recycling E-waste

Asset recovery We can

be a
Super
Reduction of need for
Hero ??
landfill

Reduction of junks and

clutters

Resale and Reuse

Creation of jobs
Conclusion
Turning trash into treasure is not just a dream; it's a necessity
for a sustainable future. By embracing innovative solutions for
e-waste management, we can protect our environment and
harness valuable resources. Together, we can create a circular
economy that benefits everyone.

Reduce

Recove Reuse
r

Recycle
Implement Proper E-waste Disposal. .

One man’s ‘junk’ is other man’s

‘Treasure’ !
(Anon
ymous
)
THANK YOU