E-WASTE MANAGEMENT AND YOU

How many of us actually know what the term ‘e-waste’ means?

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]