E-waste
(expanded Electronic waste) is any material that is or was a part of any
electronic component,that is to be discarded. Old computer parts, old cellular
phones, electronic gadget batteries, etc. are all e-wastes. E-waste is
different from normal waste in the sense that it is full of hazardous chemicals
and harmful compounds. For that reason, it is necessary to treat E-waste
differently, in the sense that, it needs special disposal and recycling
methods. E-wastes can be extremely harmful if not handled properly.
E-wastes
mainly contain highly toxic substances like chlorinated and brominated
compounds ,toxic gases like benzene,
toxic metals like Lead and Cadmium, biologically active materials, acids,
plastics and plastic additives. Each of these has a distinct harmful effect on
humans.
Lead,
Cadmium and Chlorinated compounds like methyl chloroform and tetrachloroethane
can cause anemia,skin problems and CNS depression problems like dizziness,
incoordination, and even death when exposed regularly to large amounts. Gases
like Arsine and HCl can cause eye irritation, nausea, skin cancer, miscarriages
and heart and kidney damage. Benzene is fire hazardous, in addition to having
similar health hazards.
India
generates about 146,180 tons of e-waste
every year. And most of these wastes end up in landfills, without any
processing or treatment. This poses a major threat to future inhabitants of
this land.
The
main causes for poor e-waste managements are lack of awareness, lack of
management facilities for collection and segregation at source and scarcity of
land.
The
solution is simple. The same old environmental conservation technique applies
here too. REDUCE,REUSE,RECYCLE.
REDUCE
Product
designs must be refined such that lesser chemicals are used in
manufacturing.Forexample, many new products contain a flatter, lighter and a
more integrated design. Also, the new trend is replacement of existing
chemicals by bio-based and plant-based chemicals, as they are less harmless and
easy to dispose.
On
a smaller level, we must ensure that we don’t unnecessarily buy electronic
gadgets.
REUSE
Design
should be such that products can be used to an extent, upgraded and used
further with latest features .Also, repair must be easier.Companies like Dell
lease out their products so that they can take them back and upgrade them, just
to lease out again.
RECYCLE
Recycling
of e-wastes must take place in the proper manner. The company that produces the
products must take them back, disassemble them and recyle the components
appropriately.
For
E-waste management to be implemented properly, public awareness is the key. The
following steps must be followed by the public to ensure an e-chemical free environment.
1.Electronic
components that are no longer in use must be taken to the nearest e-waste
disposal centre.
2.Old
mobile phones, old batteries, etc, shouldn’t be disposed off in the trash like
normal waste, they should be deposited to the mobile phone shops that collect
old mobile phones.
3.Computer
parts should also be disposed off in the above way.
With
all the above measures in place, E-waste will cease to be an environmental
threat to our future generations.
[Courtesy : T.S Rasikapriyaa, I BioT]