The e-waste refer to the electronic waste. These waste are generated by discarding electronic equipment and devices after the end of their useful value. These include cells, mobile phones, computers etc. These waste have increased tremendously in the modern era of mechanized and digitized world especially in sprawling urban settlements.
- Household appliances- Fridge, AC
- Computer and telecommunication- Laptops and Mobile phone
- Consumer equipment- TV, cameras
The e-waste are the most hazardous among all urban waste. The hazards include:
Environmental Hazards
- E-waste are not easily biodegradable. Hence throwing them in open poses many environmental risks.
- batteries can lead to explosion if not treated properly
Health Hazards
- Produce toxic waste like lithium, mercury etc, that can bio accumulate and bio magnify producing carcinogenic diseases like Minimata.
- Respiration of their suspended particles causes various respiratory diseases and lung cancer.
- Direct consumption of e-waste by stray animals can cause their death.
- Surface water and ground water is polluted by runoff and seepage and cause many water borne diseases.
- e-waste of nano dimensions can enter the plants during nutrient intake. They accumulate and enter the food chain ultimately effecting human health.
- Mutagenic effect of e-waste are still researched but cant be denied.
Apart from health hazards, e-waste causes multiple environmental damages and urban lanscape is continuously loosing its aesthetical value because of them. An immediate measure like buyer buy back, extended producer warranty and reverse vending should thus be put in place to contain their spread before any sustainable recycling process is devised.
Basel convention on trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste and their disposal. E-waste Law implemented in 2012 is silent on any formal recognition to the sector. However, it highlights extended producer responsibility to ensure collection and scientific recycling of electronic products. It also asks Producers to commit non inclusion of the above stated harmful components in electronic products. This clause was due for implementation starting May 2014. Strict implementation is necessary along with exercise of polluter pays principle. Can connect it with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
