E-Waste Becoming A Threat To The Whole World

“E-waste” is the name given to the electronic products nearing the end of their useful life. They include discarded electronic devices and components and also the substances involved in their manufacture or use. Certain components of some electronic products contain hazardous substances and hence it is considered very dangerous. These hazardous materials pose a threat to human health and environment. Many of these products can be reused or recycled in an environmentally sound manner.

Most of the unwanted electronic items are stored due to the uncertainty of how to manage it. Finally they are disposed off at landfills. More than four million tons of e-waste goes to U.S. landfills each year. A number of initiatives have arisen on how to find a solution to the issue of e-waste.

E-waste Management Methods

The bulk e-wastes can be handled properly only if we adopt some management options.

Land filling

It is the most widely used methods for disposing e-waste. Trenches are made on flat land surface sand then soil is excavated from it. Waste material is buried in it with thick layer of soil. But the degradation process in landfills takes a lot of time. Moreover land filling of e-waste eventually contaminates water resources thereby causing scarcity of water. So it cannot be considered as an environmentally sound treatment method.

Incineration

In this combustion method the waste material is burned in incinerators at a high temperature. It is capable of reducing the volume of e-waste. In this process some environmentally hazardous organic substances are converted into less hazardous compounds. But incineration of e-waste emits toxic fumes and gases thereby polluting the air.

Recycling e-waste
Recycling is the best option for the management of e-wastes. It is the practice of reusing or distributing electronic items for reuse. In this method they are not allowed to be discarded at the end of their life cycle. Recycling involves the removal of many dangerous substances from different parts of e-waste.
Strong acids are used by recyclers to remove precious metals like copper, lead and gold. In India due to the scarcity of land it is difficult to find new dumping sites. Appropriate technologies must be used to increase the value of recycling.
Discarded electronic devices which are functioning could be passed to another individual or organization. Non functioning devices can be repaired and then resold or donated.

Production process modification
Waste can be reduced if changes can be made in the production process. Materials used for making the product can be changed or input materials can be used more efficiently. Hazardous materials used in its production process can be replaced by less hazardous or non hazardous materials. Rules must be made so that large companies purchase the used equipments back from the customers and ensure proper treatment and disposal of e-waste by authorized processes.

The large amount of e-waste produced in developed countries are dumped in poorer countries like India and other Asian countries, with no consideration for environmental or worker health and safety. However many organizations are trying to take necessary steps against such hazardous practice. The whole world should wake up and set up appropriate management measures to prevent the hazards and mishaps due to mismanagement of e-wastes.