E Waste Management
We have seen a rapid advancement in technology in the recent past. With the production of advanced electronic devices, older ones are getting discarded and replaced with new models. This creates a huge e-waste that accumulates in the environment having a strong adverse effect. E-waste management is therefore not only the way to get rid of the bulk but it corresponds to our services towards mother earth.
Being the largest industry today, electronic innovations have made the spectacular happen but with a pretty large amount of e-wastes. Tons of electronic devices become a complex material after their usage.
We can find
- Heavy metals
- Toxic chemical substances
- Nondegradable plastic materials
- Chemicals in paints within these wastes.
TYPES OF E WASTES
Nowadays most of the things used in our households create electronic waste after a certain time. Numerous things can be counted under this.
- TV
- Fridge
- Washing Machine
- CD player
- Computer
- Fax machines
- Air Conditioner
- Fans and many more
Now we need to take strong action for the management of this waste formed as a by-product of electronic devices.
Here also, we need to follow the three golden rules.
- Reduce
- Reuse and
- Recycle
DISPERSAL OF E WASTES
This is the most important step regarding e-waste management. We have experienced dumping, burning, or selling to recyclers for foraging the dispersion of e-waste. But research shows, only 25% of e-wastegate can be managed in this way.
MANAGEMENT OF E WASTES
Remanufacturing some equipment with the older ones, reusing the active parts, or transforming them for different types of activities are some of the processes used for e-waste management.
PROCESSING
The first step is dismantling. It includes
- unscrewing,
- shredding,
- tearing, and
- burning
SEGREGATION OF PARTS
It is recommended to process the wastes according to groups of similar kinds. Like metals, plastics, chemicals, etc. But this process involves dangerous health hazards as the smoke or dust produced during the dismantling job directly affects the respiratory system. It is sometimes carcinogenic too.
DUMPING IN THE SEA
For many years several countries have dumped e-waste in the sea. Eventually, this huge mass has given rise to an alarming height of water pollution. Heavy metals like
- Mercury
- Zinc
- Cadmium
- Lead
- Copper
have subsided under the sea. These chemicals reacted with each other and have increased pollution in freshwater too.
WAYS TO MANAGE THE E-WASTE
- The best way to manage this-casteist
- Reduce the usage of electronic devices
- Reuse the transformed devices for further actions.
- Processing of the e wastes by Incineration can create disposal of e wastes without doing any harm.
- Taking strong action against illegal manufacturers of electronic devices.
- Recycling metals to reuse them.
- Banning hazardous materials being a part of electronic device manufacture.
- Collecting industry wastes in a smart work that is capable of managing the dispersion of e wastes.
- Encourage research projects involving e-waste management.
- E-waste management is a primary focus in today’s world. We have to control and maintain the basic demand for electronic devices to attain our goal of sustainable environment.