MODULE 5: E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

SYLLABUS
Introduction, sources of e-waste, Composition, Characteristics, and Need of E-waste management. Toxic
materials used in manufacturing electronic and electrical products; health hazards due to exposure to e-
waste. Recycling and Recovery: Different approaches of recycling (separation, thermal treatments,
hydrometallurgical extraction, pyrometallurgical methods, direct recycling). Extraction of gold from E-
waste. Role of stake holders in environmental management of e-waste (producers, consumers, recyclers,
and statutory bodies).
Self -learning: Impact of heavy metals on environment and human health.

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

E-waste:
• E-waste or electronic waste is created when an electronic or electrical product is discarded after the
end of its useful life.
• E-waste is considered the "fastest-growing waste stream in the world. Society today revolves around
technology and by the constant need for thenewest and most high-tech products we are contributing
to a mass amount of e-waste.
Sources of E-Waste:
E-waste sources can be numerous.
• Electronic appliances like personal computers, DVD players, laptops, television sets, mobile phones,
mp3 players, etc.
• House hold appliances like washing machines, vacuum cleaners, toasters, drying machines,
refrigerators, irons, air conditioners, sensors, medical devices, automobile devices, coffee machines,
wires, bulb, switches and related items.
• Lighting fixtures and appliances such as sodium lamps, fluorescent tubes, sewing machines,
surveillance equipment’s or even electronic toy products also form e-wastes.

Composition of E- waste
E-waste is composed of both hazardous and non-hazardous materials.
• It contains 65 % of iron, steel and other metallic materials including copper, platinum,gold, silver
and toxic metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium etc.
• E- waste contains 21 % of polymeric non-biodegradable materials including PVCs,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ,polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and brominated flame-
retardant plastics.
• About 11.8 % of CRT and LCD screens along with glass, wood, ceramics and plywood.

Characteristics of E-waste:
The characteristics of electronic waste (e-waste) can include:
1. Complexity: E-waste often contains a complex mixture of materials, making it challenging to
recycle and dispose of properly.
 2. Hazardousness: E-waste can contain hazardous materials such as heavy metals,flame retardants,
and batteries, which can pose significant environmental and health risks.
3. Volatility: E-waste is a rapidly growing waste stream due to the increasing use of electronic
devices and the limited lifespan of many electronic products.
4. Global issue: E-waste is a global issue, as electronic devices are manufactured, used, and
discarded worldwide.
5. Resource depletion: The extraction of raw materials for electronic devices contributes to
resource depletion, and the improper disposal of e- waste can lead to environmental contamination
and waste of valuable resources.
6. Environmental and health impacts: Improper disposal of e-waste can lead to significant
environmental and health impacts, including soil and water contamination, air pollution, and harm
to human health.

Toxic materials used in manufacturing Electronic and Electrical products.

Electronic and electrical products can contain a variety of toxic materials including:

1. Lead: Lead is a toxic heavy metal commonly used in the manufacture of batteries, computer
monitors, and other electronic components.
2. Mercury: Mercury is used in some fluorescent lights, batteries, and other electronic devices.
3. Cadmium: Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal used in rechargeable batteries, pigments, and plastic
stabilizers.
4. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is a common plastic used in electronic cables and other
components. It can release toxic chemicals, such as dioxins, when burned or during disposal.
5. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs): BFRs are used in the manufacture of electronic products
to prevent fires. However, they are toxic and can harm the environment and human health.
6. Barium: Barium is used in some electronic components, including cathode ray tubes.
7. Rechargeable Batteries contains Lithium is used in batteries, but it can be toxic if not handled
properly. Cadmium, Lead, Sodium, Lithium, Nickel etc.,
8. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are toxic chemicals that were widely used ascoolants and solvents
in electronic products, such as refrigerators, air conditioners. They cause ozone depletion.

Need of E- Waste Management:

E-waste management is necessary because it helps to address several environmental, health, and
resource-related concerns, including:

• Protecting the environment: E-waste contains toxic substances, such as lead, mercury, and
cadmium that can have harmful effects on the environment and human health if not properly
managed.
• Conserving resources: E-waste contains valuable resources, such as metals, that can
berecovered and reused through proper recycling.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The production of new electronic products releases
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. Proper recycling and disposal
of e-waste can reduce the environmental impact of electronic products.
• Reducing land filling: land filling of electronic waste can result in the release of toxic materials
into the environment and contribute to soil and water pollution.
• Protecting public health: Improper handling and disposal of e-waste can expose workers
andthe general public to hazardous materials and cause serious health problems.
• E-waste can be toxic, is not biodegradable and accumulates in the environment, in the soil,
 air,water and living things.
• Causes air pollution, Soil pollution and water pollution.
• Electronic Recycling Promotes Soil Fertility and Maintain Nutrient.
• E-waste management programs aim to promote responsible recycling and disposal of
electronic waste and minimize the release of hazardous materials into the environment. This
helps to protect the environment, conserve resources, and promote public health and safety.

Effects of E-waste on environment and human health:

1. Informal E-waste recycling techniques employed for metal recovery from printed circuit boards.
Unscientific ways used for recycling may result in accumulation in landfills and end up within the
environment.
2. Unscientific dumping e-waste. The effluent from e-waste recycling centers and the dumping sites are rich
with heavy metals and suspended particulate matters.
3. Open burning of printed circuit boards and electronic cables to recover copper. This releases dioxins,
persistent organic pollutants, PAHs, PCBs, Persistent halogenated compounds into the environment.
These contaminants are able to create human gastrointestinal irritation, laxative effects, DNA damage
and adverse birth effects.

4. Most of the heavy metals are carcinogenic. Particulate matter released from open burning can adsorb
metal particles and enter into human body.

5. People living nearby to E-waste collection, dumping and incineration sites are direct victims for the toxic
contaminants. There are higher number of incidences with skin damages, headache, chronic gastritis and
gastric ulcers.
6. Toxic elements were found to disturb the nitrogen and potassium absorption by plants which are
important component in plant growth and development.
7. Different hazardous chemicals accumulate in human blood, serum and urinary tract and finally show
synergic effects.
8. Mercury- It is released while breaking and burning of circuit boards and switches. Affects the central
nervous system, kidneys and immune system. Mercury in water body can form methylated mercury
which is toxic and can enter the human food chain through aquatic system
9. Beryllium -Found in switch boards and printed circuit boards. It is carcinogenic and causes lung diseases.
10. Cadmium – is released into the environment as powder while crushing and milling of plastics, CRTs and
circuit boards. It is carcinogenic and long-term exposure causes itai itai disease, which causes severe pain
in joints and spine. It affects kidney and softens the bones.
11. Lead - Mechanical breaking of CRTs and removing solder from microchips release lead as powder and
fumes. It is a neurotoxin that affects the kidney and reproductive system. It also affects mental
development in children.
12. Plastics -Found in circuit boards, cabinets and cables. They contain carcinogens. BFRs or brominated
 flame retardants give out carcinogenic brominated dioxins and furans. Dioxins can harm reproductive
and immune system.
13. Chromium -Used to protect metal housings and plates in computer from corrosion. Inhaling hexavalent
chromium can cause damage to liver and kidneys and also cause asthmatic bronchitis and lung cancer.

Methods of disposal:
1. Scientific landfilling –
• Solid waste which are not biodegradable, reusable or recyclable are safely deposited in a landfill.
• Care is taken so that buried waste never comes in contact with air, ground water or surface water.
The site of landfill is carefully selected.
• The cell for landfill is built scientifically considering the distance between bottom of the cell and
seasonally high ground water table.
• Waste material is spread in cell layer by layer.
• Waste material undergoes complete anaerobic degradation releasing methane. Landfill cell must
be provided with proper gas venting system to prevent accumulation of methane.
• In some landfills methane gas is collected and used as fuel.
• Leachate is another by product which is highly contaminated liquid that comes out from
decomposing garbage. A system is provided to collect and treat leachate.

2.Recycling and Recovery of E-Waste –

• The recycling of e-waste is initiated with physical or mechanical pre-process.
• The first step involves physical removal of toxic materials and unwanted components
• Manual dismantling and separation of components such as PCBs, monitors, batteries etc into various
fractions like metals, ceramics, plastics, wood and paper using hammer,screwdrivers and conveyer
beds for disassembling.
• In second step shredding of materials mechanically through crushers or grinders to collect fragments
of metal bearing components. Metals such as aluminium and copper can be separated from non-
metallic components from eddy current method.
• Next the waste is passed through electrical separators to separate metallic and non- metallic
components.
• Magnetic separator is used to ferrous metals.
• Gravity separation is used to separate Al metal.
• Finally, after physical separation, various chemical treatment is employed to recover metals.

PYROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS
Pyrometallurgy process is used to extract pure nonferrous and precious metals from e-waste. The methods
require high temperature to reduce /extract metals. Pyrometallurgical treatment of e-waste commonly
involves smelting in furnaces at high temperatures, incineration, combustion, and pyrolysis, and in these
unit processes the metals are separated based on their chemical and metallurgical properties.

1. Smelting
• Copper smelting is commonly used for recovery of nonferrous metal fractions from e-waste. The
processed scrap after preliminary stage contains mainly Iron, Aluminium, Copper, Lead, Tin,
antimony, Zinc and precious metals as metallic Constituents.
• The mixture is fed to high temperature furnace of copper smelters. The copper metal is converted to
liquid copper. The impure copper undergoes electrorefining process to get pure copper (99.99 %).
• The precious and valuable metals like Au, Pt, Lead, Tin and antimony are recovered from sludge
with high recovery rates of 90% using hydrometallurgical process. Here iron, silicon and aluminium
arenot recovered but are collected as slag.

2. Combustion
• It is a low technology, low-cost method which focuses on recovery of precious metals.
• The e-waste is subjected to open burning in uncontrolled manner which releases all sorts of pollutants
into atmosphere. The method is highly dangerous for the environment and also increases the health
risk of all the workers involved in it.
3. Incineration
• It is a controlled combustion of waste with suitable emission units. The incinerator has two
connected furnaces.
• In first furnace e-waste is burnt at temperature 800oC and in second furnace for gaseous products of
the first incinerator are further oxidised at 1110oC.Heavy metals and fly ash are collected at the
bottom.
• Hydrometallurgical process is used for further recovery of metals. Considering the generation of
pollutant gas emission and low metal recycling performance, incineration is not a wise choice as a
solution to recycle the metals.

4. Pyrolysis
• In this process the thermal decomposition of e-waste at higher temperature in an oxygen free
environment takes place. During pyrolysis irreversible thermal decomposition reactions takes place
leading to the formation of low molecular weight products (gases and Liquids) at temperature
between 450oC and 1100oC.

• The gases, chars and oils produced have an economic value and can be used as fuel. The metallic
components can be separated by separation. The process also involves release of toxic halogens
along with flue gases into atmosphere.

5. Molten salt Process

• In this method E-waste is fed with the salt and salt is melted at desired temperature in an inert
atmosphere.

• The organic part decomposes in salt forming carbonate and silicates and get trapped in salt.
 • Halogens are converted to alkali metal halides which remain in molten salt. Molten salts dissolve
glasses, oxides and destructs plastics present in wastes without oxidizing the most valuable metals.

• This method is efficient for recovering a copper-rich metallic fraction. A large quantity of hydrogen
is produced and might be used as fuel gas.

• The metallic component is collected at the bottom of the furnace after removing the molten salt by
washing with hot water. The metal is further processed to get pure metal.

HYDROMETALLURGICAL EXTRACTION
Hydrometallurgical processing mainly involves the use of a series of acids or caustic leaches to leach out
the metals from E-waste and further separation and purification using extraction, adsorption, and ion
exchange to concentrate the precious metal. There are three main stages in metal recovery by
hydrometallurgical process.

Pre-treatment stage: It involves physical separation of metal components from e-waste which involves
dismantling with separation of hazardous and valuable components. Next shredding of the materials
mechanically through crushers and grinders. Electrical and magnetic separatorsare also used in separation.

Chemical Treatment stage:

1. Cyanide leaching: Leaching gold with a cyanide solution remains the most widely used
hydrometallurgical process for the extraction of gold from ores and concentrates. The gold is leached from
their native ores by dilute solution of potassium cyanide (or) sodium cyanide in the presence of air (oxygen)
and complex of cyanides that are water soluble are obtained. Next the gold can be removed through
adsorption onto activated carbon.

2. Acid Leaching: Nitric acid, sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid are used to leach the target metals.
Ascorbic acids, citric acids and acetic acids are used to leach light metals from spent batteries and mobile
devices.

3. Thiourea leaching: Thiourea is used as a complexing agent that forms cationic soluble complex with
target metal. Thiourea is not stable and decomposes easily in alkaline solutions and hence the reaction is
carried in acidic conditions. The agent was applied to leach gold and silver from Printed circuit boards of
waste mobile phones.

4. Thiosulphate leaching: Thiosulfate leaching can be considered a non-toxic process. Ammonium

thiosulphate solution is used to solubilize gold, silver and platinum and other precious metals in form of
anionic stable complex. The metals can be recovered from complex.

5. Halide leaching: Chloride, iodide and bromide are used to leach gold from PCB waste. Theseare high rate
of leaching, cheaper and selective method.
Metal Recovery stage: In this process metal, is recovered from leached metal solution. A variety of
methods such as solvent extraction, ion exchange, adsorption, precipitation and cementation are followed.

1. Solvent extraction: In this process leaching solution is treated with organic solvent in separating funnel.
It results in two phase system. Metal is extracted from leached solution phase to organic phase system.
Different extractants such as amides or amines are used for extraction of gold, vanadium, iridium,
rhodium and tungsten. Methyisobutylketone is also used as extractants for gold.
2. Electrodeposition: In this method pure gold is obtained from leached solution by electrodeposition. Pure
metal same as metal to be extracted is taken as cathode and inert metal as anode. They are dipped in
leaching solution. When current is applied pure metal gets electrodeposited at cathode. Even metals such
as lead, tin, copper from PCBs can be recovered from leaching solution. The method is highly efficient,
low environment impactand cost effective.
3. Ion exchange: In this method solvent extracting reagents are impregnated on polymer beads. The
functional group of reagents act as a chelating group and selectively bind metal ions. The method is
selective to recover selective metal ion. The method is effective to recover gold from cyanide and
thiosulphate leached solutions. It is a low cost, no loss of reagent and environmental safety method.
4. Adsorption: The metals can be recovered from leached solutions by adsorption on appropriate
adsorbents. Activated charcoal is one of the effective adsorbents. The adsorption of gold on activated
carbon from cyanide solutions is an efficient, low-cost process. Pt, Au, Ag, Cu metals can be removed
from cyanide solution with 95-100 % efficiency.

3. Direct recycling of e waste:

• In this process the electronic components are harvested directly from e-waste without breaking them
further into small components.
• The harvested materials are further processed with healing methods to regenerate recycled materials.
The regenerated materials have performance equivalent to originally manufactured materials. The
process requires less energy and is eco-friendly.
• There are certain problems related with this method. Direct regeneration of components depends upon
state of health of used electronic materials. Defects and impurities accumulated during usage could
affect the quality of refurbished active material.
• Presently direct recycling of lithium-ion batteries is studied. Here battery is discharged first to avoid
short circuiting and self-ignition of battery and dismantled to separate anode, cathode, electrolyte and
separated. These components are not dismantled further.
• Here each component is regenerated using appropriate process to recover its function. These
components are reassembled for reuse.

EXTRACTION OF GOLD FROM E-WASTE

Gold and copper metals have good electrical conductivity and chemical stability and hence it is used for
making integrated circuits of electronic devices, coating for contacts and connectors.
E-waste contains 10 times more concentration of gold compared to gold ores. Hence e-wastecan act as a
vital source of precious metals and can satisfy their demand in various industries. Among the e-waste
PCBs are rich in metals. It contains around 35% Cu, 0.16% silver, and 0.13% gold by weight. Several
 techniques such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, biometallurgy, microwave treatment and plasma
technology are employed to recover preciousmetals from e-waste. Among this recovery of metals using
hydrometallurgy route is moreeconomical.

Hydrometallurgical method
There are three stages in metal recovery by hydrothermal method
1.Pretreatment
2. Chemical treatment stage
3.Metal recovery stage
Pretreatment stage
In the pretreatment stage e-waste is manually dismantled to separate various fractions like metals, ceramics,
plastics, wood and paper. Techniques such as gravity separation, electrostatic separation, magnetic
separation and eddy current separation are used to separate metals from fractions.
Chemical treatment stage
In the chemical treatment step, targeted metal is leached into solution by treating with appropriate leaching
agents such as thiosulfate, alkali cyanide and many acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and nitric
acid can be used to leach gold into solutions.
Cyanide leaching is the most common method used to extract gold metal. Sodium salt of 3- nitrobenzene
sulfonic acid with Potassium cyanide in the presence of oxygen is used as leaching agent. A water soluble
dicyanoaurate gold complex is obtained in the process.
4Au + 8CN- + O2 + 2H2O → 4[Au(CN)2] - + 4OH-
Metal recovery stage
In the last step, metal is recovered from leach solutions. Varieties of methods like electro- deposition, solvent
extraction, ion exchange adsorption, precipitation and cementation are usedto recover metals from leached
solutions. Selective recovery is possible for most processes.

• Gold can also be extracted from leaching solution by electro-deposition of gold from dicyanoaurate
gold complex. Pure gold metal taken as cathode and inert anode are dipped in leached solution.
When current is applied, gold is electrodeposited on cathode.

Role of Stake Holders in Environment Management of e-Waste (Producers, Consumers, Recyclers and
Statutory bodies
There are four stakeholders in environmental management of e-waste. They are as follows.
1. Statutory Government Regulatory bodies.
2. Producers (Manufacturing units).
3. Recyclers (Recycling units and collection units)
4. Consumers.
1. Statutory government Regulatory bodies

The statutory bodies play a Vitol role in management of e-waste. Main roles are:
 a) To collect the green tax from consumer through producer.
b) Apply extra charges on producers (manufacturing units) in form of penalty when no proper
recycling is assured from manufacturing units.
c) Provide incentives in form of subsidy to recyclers and collectors when recycling of e-waste is done
properly.
d) To conduct programs of awareness in the society about importance of e-waste recycling in
reduction of hazardous substances.
2. Producers (Manufacturing units)
a) The accountability to collect green tax.
b) Charging an additional amount on consumer during sell of e-products and returning it with interest
at the time of exchange of e-product.
c) Forming the group of manufactures who monitor and encourage the recycling of e-waste.
d) Bearing the transportation cost and collection fees to ease collection process.
e) Purchase the recycling material at fixed value and using of recycled e-waste during manufacturing.
f) Giving discount to consumer on the basis of e-waste generated from gadget.
3. Recyclers (Recycling units & Collection Units)
a) The accountability of recycling units is dismantling, recycling processing of e-waste materials,
management of scarp materials and reselling of recycling materials
b) Establish collection units and group of people who can ensure return back of e-products by consumer
in exchange offer or directly approach consumer for door-to-door collection.
c) Collect the e-waste from the collection units, dealer or retailer.
d) Providing incentives when proper collection of e-waste assured by collection units.
4. Consumer
a) The accountability to pay green taxes.
b) Develop self-awareness on e-waste management and involve in awareness programs.
c) Returning back of e-waste to collection units.
 Question Bank on E-Waste Management

1. Mention the sources of e-waste and explain the need for e-waste management.
2. Explain the extraction of gold from e-waste.
3. Explain the recycling of e-waste.
4. Explain the pyrometallurgical and direct recycling methods.
5. Write a brief note on role of stakeholders for example; producers, consumers, recyclers, and statutory
bodies.
6. Explain the Hydrometallurgical extraction of e-waste management.
7. Explain the ill effects of toxic materials used in manufacturing electrical and electronic products

Rachana Kunder
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
AJIET