E-waste scenario in India, its management and implications

Abstract

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. Based on the discussion, various challenges for E-waste management particularly in India are delineated, and needed policy interventions were discussed.

Reverse Logistics of E-Waste in Developing Countries: Challenges and Prospects for the Brazilian Model

“…In the Brazilian case, the model has not yet been defined, as the industry wants the fee to be visible to consumers and tax-free. This aspect is linked to the problem of consumer consciousness observed in studies by Jang (2010), Wath, Dutt andChakrabarti (2011), andLundgren (2012). Interviewees affirm that Brazilian consumers' lack of consciousness results in improper disposal of WEEE and in resistance to pay the additional costs of a recycling fee.…”

Insights into the state of ISO14001 certification in both small and medium enterprises and industry best companies in India: the case of Delhi and Noida

“…India's environmental problems present serious regulatory, scientific, engineering and organizational challenges, which according to Wath et al (2011) could be met in part by improved management processes at the firm level. This may explain a growing interest in ISO14001 certification among Indian firms.…”

“…While India has a rich history of environmental policy making there are serious questions concerning the efficacy of the country's environmental laws and their enforcement. Calls for tighter environmental regulation and improved enforcement are commonplace, for instance, in the areas of hazardous waste treatment and toxic emissions (Misra and Pandey, 2005), water pollution (Greenstone and Hanna, 2011) and electronic waste in the context of a dramatically expanding electronics industry with short innovation cycles and resultant product obsolescence (Wath et al, 2011). Poor implementation of environmental policies is also seen as an obstacle to good environmental management in India.…”

E-Waste Disposal Challenges and Remedies: A Tanzanian Perspective

“…Contamination of surroundings and water sources-ground water Table 4. A summary of potential health and environmental hazards of electronic components [14,15] Given the rise of importation of electronic products in Tanzania, and the nature of e-waste and how it is disposed in Tanzania, and the difficult in determining its mass and flux in the country, the health and environmental hazards that are the results of e-waste are likely to be considerable. The impact of this are degraded environment, and negatively affected human health.…”

“…Sample size used in this study was fifteen (15) for major vendors of electronic products and fifteen (15) for major users of electronic products (as per Tanzania Revenue Authority records). The sample sizes were selected using simple random technique from a list of eighty one (81) and eighty (83) for major users and major vendors of electronics products respectively.…”