MODULE-5 E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

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.

Define waste management.

Waste management refers to the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste
materials to reduce their negative impact on the environment and human health.
Define E-waste.

Electronic waste, or E-waste, refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices, such as

computers, televisions, mobile phones, and household appliances.

Define E-waste management.

E-waste management refers to the processes and systems used to collect, transport, treat, and
dispose of electronic waste (e-waste) in an environmentally responsible and safe manner.
Sources of electronic waste (e-waste):
The main sources of electronic waste (e-waste) include:

1. Consumer electronics such as smart phones, laptops, televisions, and household

appliances.
2. Office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines.
3. Medical equipment such as X-ray machines, monitors, and diagnostic equipment.
4. Electronic toys and games.
5. Military and government surplus equipment.
6. Obsolete technology such as outdated computer equipment and VCRs.
7. Discarded or broken electronic devices.
8. Colleges often use electronic equipment such as projectors, computer equipment, and
audio-visual equipment in classrooms and laboratories.
Composition of E-waste
The composition of electronic waste (e-waste) can vary depending on the typeof device and
its components. In general, e-waste contains a mixture of materials including:
1. Metals: E-waste often contains valuable metals such as copper, gold, silver, and
aluminium.
2. Plastics: Many electronic devices contain plastic components, including casings,
insulation, and cables.
3. Glass: Electronic devices often contain glass components, such as screensand lenses.
4. Circuit boards: Many electronic devices contain circuit boards, which contain a
mixture of metals and other materials.

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 5. Batteries: Some electronic devices contain batteries, which can contain hazardous
materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.
6. Other hazardous materials : E waste may also contain other hazardous materials such
as flame retardants, heavy metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
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 of 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 as
coolants and solvents in electronic products, such as refrigerators, air conditioners.
They cause ozone depletion.

Health hazardous due to exposure of e waste:

Exposure to electronic waste (e-waste) can have serious health consequences,including:

 Poisoning: E-waste can contain toxic substances, such as lead, cadmium,
and mercury that can cause poisoning if they enter the body.
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  Respiratory problems: Exposure to dust and fumes generated during
thedismantling and disposal of e-waste can cause respiratory problems, such as
asthma and bronchitis.
 Neurological effects: Exposure to toxic substances in e-waste, such as lead
and mercury, can cause neurological effects, including memory loss,
tremors and coordination problems.
 Reproductive problems: Exposure to toxic substances in e-waste, such as cadmium,
can cause reproductive problems, including infertility and birth defects.
 Cancer: Exposure to carcinogenic substances, such as dioxins and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), found in e-waste, can increase the risk of cancer.
It is important to effectively manage e-waste to minimize the exposure ofworkers and
the public to hazardous materials and to prevent serious health problems.
Need for E- Waste management :
E-waste management is an important global concern due to address environmental, health,
and economic concerns and to ensure that electronic waste is disposed of in a responsible
and sustainable manner.
1. Environmental impact: Improper disposal of e-waste can result in release of toxic
substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the environment, causingsoil, air and
water pollution.
2. Resource depletion: E-waste contains valuable materials such as gold, silver and copper
that can be recovered and recycled. This can help to conservenatural resources and reduce
the need for new resource extraction.
3. Health risks: E-waste can pose health risks to workers involved in the informal recycling
sector and to communities living near e-waste dump sites.
4. Data security: E-waste can contain sensitive personal information and confidential
business data that could be exploited if not properly managed.
5. Economic benefits: Proper e-waste management can create job opportunities and generate
revenue from the sale of recovered materials.
6. Rapid growth of electronics industry: India is one of the fastest growing electronics
markets in the world, leading to a growing volume of e-waste.
7. Lack of proper disposal infrastructure: In many parts of India, there is a lack of proper
facilities and infrastructure for the disposal and management of e-waste.
Therefore, it is important to implement effective e-waste management policies and
practices globally to address these issues.

E- Waste recycling:
F-
The process of e-waste recycling typically involves the following steps:
1. Collection and transportation: E-waste is collected from various sources such as
households, businesses, and recycling facilities. It is then transported to a recycling
plant for processing.
2. Sorting and dismantling: E-waste is sorted into different categoriesbased on the type
of material and the manufacturer. The recyclers then dismantle the devices to separate
the valuable materials from the hazardous components.
3. Shredding: The e-waste is shredded into smaller pieces to make it easier to separate
the different materials. The shredded pieces are then sorted into different categories
based on their composition.

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 4. Separation: The valuable materials, such as metals, plastics, and glass, are separated
from the other components through a series of physical and chemical processes.
5. Processing: The separated materials are processed to remove any impurities and
contaminants, and to prepare them for reuse. For example, metals are smelted to
produce pure metal alloys, while plastics are meltedand molded into new products.
6. Disposal of hazardous waste: The hazardous components of e-waste, such as
batteries and LCDs, are properly disposed of to prevent pollution and health hazards.

E- Waste recycling and recovery different approaches

E-Waste recycling and recovery can be achieved through different approaches, including

(1) Separation
(2) Thermal treatments,
(3) Hydrometallurgical extraction,
(4) Pyrometallurgical methods,
(5) Direct recycling

1. Separation: This involves physically separating different components of e-waste, such as

metals, plastics, and circuit boards. This can be done manually or through automated
processes, and the separated materials can then be processed further for recycling or disposal.
Such as using specialized equipment to sort materials by density, size, or magnetic properties.
By separating e-waste into its individual components, it is possible to reduce the environmental
impact of
discarded electronics, recover valuable resources, and promote sustainable use of materials.

2. Thermal treatment: E-waste thermal treatment refers to the use of high temperatures to
recover valuable metals and other materials from electronic waste. This process can include
incineration or other pyrometallurgical techniques, and typically involves melting down the
waste to separate the metal components. The separated metals can then be recovered and
reused. Thermal treatment can be an effective method for e-waste recycling.

3. Hydrometallurgical extraction of E-waste:

E-waste hydrometallurgical extraction is a process used to extract valuable metals and other
materials from electronic waste through chemical reactions in aqueous solutions. The process
typically involves the following steps:

• Collection and sorting: Electronic waste is collected and sorted into different categories
based on the materials present.
• Shredding or grinding: The electronic waste is shredded or ground into small particles to
increase the surface area for the extraction process.
• Leaching: The crushed electronic waste is then treated with a solution, such as sulfuric
acid, that dissolves the metals and minerals. This solution is referred to as the
leachant.
• Separation: The metal-rich solution is then separated from the solid waste. The metals and
minerals present in the solution are then recovered using a variety of
techniques, such as precipitation, ion exchange, and solvent extraction.
• Purification: The recovered metals and minerals are then purified to remove impurities.

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 Hydrometallurgical extraction is a more environmentally friendly alternative to thermal
treatments, as it generates less hazardous waste and can be more easily regulated to minimize
environmental impact.

4. Pyrometallurgical methods E-waste recycling:

E-waste pyrometallurgical methods refer to the process of extracting valuable metals and
other materials from electronic waste using high temperatures. These methods include:
1. Smelting: The e-waste is melted in a furnace and then separated into individual metals
and other materials.
2. Refining: The metals from the smelted e-waste are further processed to
remove impurities and improve their quality.
3. Inciceration: Electronic waste is burned at high temperatures to reduce itsvolume
and recover metals.
Pyrometallurgical methods are effective at recovering valuable metals from e- waste, but they
also generate hazardous byproducts and require significant energy inputs. Additionally, these
methods can pose a risk to the environment and human health if not properly regulated and
monitored.
5. Direct recycling of e -watse

Direct recycling of e-waste refers to the process of recovering valuable materials from
electronic waste without the need for intermediate processing steps. Direct recycling of e-
waste refers to the process of refurbishing and reusing electronic devices, such as computers,
smartphones, and televisions, without disassembling them into individual components. This can
include processes such as shredding, granulating, and sorting, which are used to separate the
different components of e-waste, such as metals, plastics, and glass. The separated materials are
then processed to extract the valuable components and prepare them for reuse.
The following are the steps involved in a typical direct recycling process:
• Collection and sorting: Electronic waste is collected and sorted into different categories based
on the type of device and its condition.
• Testing: The electronic devices are tested to determine their functional status and identify any
repairs that need to be made.
• Repair and refurbishment: The electronic devices are then repaired and refurbished, which
may include replacing broken or damaged components, cleaning and upgrading the software, and
restoring the device to a functional state.
• Distribution: The refurbished devices are then distributed for reuse, either by selling them
directly to consumers or by donating them to organizations or individuals in need.

Advantages of direct recycling:

Several advantages over other methods of e-waste recycling, including lower energy inputs,
lower environmental impact, and the potential for higher quality end products.

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Direct recycling can help extend the life of electronic devices and reduce the amount of e-waste
generated. By
reusing existing devices, direct recycling also conserves resources and reduces the environmental
impact of the production of new devices.
By combining direct recycling with other methods, such as chemical and pyrometallurgical
processing, it is possible to maximize the recovery of valuable materials from electronic
waste and minimize the environmental impact of e-waste management.

Extraction of gold from e-waste (Explain the Principle and experimental procedure):

Principle: The principle behind the extraction of gold from e-waste is based on the fact that
gold is a relatively non-reactive metal, which allows it to be recovered from complex
electronic waste matrices through a series of chemical and physical processes.
Experimental procedure:
1. Collection and segregation of e-waste: The first step involves collecting
and segregating the e-waste into different categories, such as computer motherboards,
cell phones, and other electronic devices.
2. Physical separation: The e-waste is physically separated into different components,
such as plastics, metals, and glass.
3. Leaching: The metals, including gold, are leached from the e-waste using a suitable
reagent, such as aqua regia (a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid), to dissolve
the gold.
Au + HNO3 + 4HCl → HAuCl4 + NO + 2H2O
4. Precipitation: The dissolved gold is then precipitated out of the solution through the
addition of a suitable reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite.
2H[AuCl4] + 3Na2S2O5 + 3H2O → 2Au + 3SO2 + 3Na2SO4 + 8HCl
5. Purification: The precipitated gold is then purified through processes such as
ion exchange, electro-winning, or distillation, to remove impurities and improve
its quality.
6. Recovery: The purified gold is then recovered for reuse.
Advantages:
High yield expected.
Faster extraction of gold is possible.
Disadvantages:
Chemicals are used.
Acid residues are not disposed of properly, which harms the environment.

Role of stakeholders in the environmental management of e-waste:

In the management of electronic waste (e-waste), the following stakeholders play important
unique role in the management of e-waste:
The role of stakeholders in the environmental management of e-waste can vary depending on
the stakeholder and their level of involvement.
From a local perspective, stakeholders in the environmental management of e- waste may
include:

1. Producers - are responsible for designing and producing electronic products and may
also be involved in the collection and recycling of e- waste.
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2. Consumers - play a crucial role in the responsible disposal of e-waste and making
informed choices about the purchase of electronic products.
3. Recyclers - are responsible for safely and responsibly managing e-waste, including
the collection, dismantling, and recycling of electronic waste.
4. Statutory bodies - such as governments, are responsible for creating and enforcing
regulations and policies to manage e-waste and promoting public awareness and
education about e-waste management.
5. Environmental organizations: responsible for advocating for sustainable
and responsible e-waste management practices and raising public awareness about e-
waste issues.

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