Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, and also one of the most dangerous, because it mixes:
→ hazardous substances
→ heavy metals
→ toxic chemicals
→ plastics & flame retardants
……with valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum.

What is E-Waste?

E-waste includes discarded or end-of-life:
→ electronics
→ electrical equipment (EEE)
→ appliances (TVs, fridges, ACs)
→ ICT equipment (computers, phones, printers)
→ peripherals (chargers, cables, keyboards, routers)

IMPORTANT:

E-waste is NOT hazardous if:
➡️stored safely,
➡️transported properly,
➡️or recycled scientifically (formal sector).

It becomes hazardous only when:
➡️burned in the open,
➡️dismantled using acids in slums,
➡️mixed with general waste,
➡️thrown into landfills.

This is what largely happens in the informal sector.

E-Waste Components & Health Impacts

Below is some of the major E-waste component and its effect:

Toners

• Found in: printer cartridges
• Risks: Respiratory tract irritation, carbon black is a carcinogen

Phosphor Additives

• Found in: CRT screens
• Contain: cadmium, zinc, vanadium
• Risks: toxic metal exposure & ingestion

PVC Plastics

• Found in: housing of electronics, cables
• Problem: when burned → dioxins (major endocrine disruptors)
• Health effects: hormonal imbalance, immune disruption

Phthalates

• Purpose: soften PVC
• Risk: toxic to reproductive system, lowers fertility

Lithium & Lithium-ion Batteries

• Found in: LEDs, lasers, circuit boards
• Contain: cobalt, nickel, manganese
• Risk: neurotoxicity, soil & water contamination

Acids (Sulphuric, Hydrochloric)

Used in informal recycling to extract metals from PCBs.

• Fumes contain chlorine & SO₂
• Effects: severe respiratory disease, chronic lung damage

Plastics in electronics

• Found in: PCBs, casings, cables
• Many are carcinogenic when burned or degraded

Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)

• Purpose: fire safety
• Sources: circuit boards, cable insulation
• When burned → brominated dioxins & furans
• Effects: carcinogenic, disrupt endocrine function

PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)

• Found in: transformers, capacitors, older electronics
• Effects: highly toxic, persistent in environment

Heavy Metals in E-Waste

Such as selenium, silver, cobalt—each with toxicological risks.

Major E-Waste Components & Environmental Hazards

A. CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes)

Contain:

• cadmium
• lead
• barium
• nickel

→ These leach into groundwater.

B. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)

Danger when open-burned or desoldered:
🔹tin
🔹lead
🔹mercury
🔹brominated dioxins
→ Released into air and water.

C. Batteries

Contain combinations of:

• cadmium
• mercury
• lithium
• nickel

→ Each with severe health effects like kidney damage and neurotoxicity.

Global E-Waste Generation Trend

🌍 Global E-Waste 2024 Monitor

• Launched: 20 March 2024 (4th edition since 2014)
• Prepared by: ITU, UNITAR SCYCLE Programme, Fondation Carmignac; UNEP supported
• Purpose: Reference tool for policymakers & industry; tracks global e‑waste data, policy, regulation, and future scenarios
• Drivers: Electronification, digital transformation, IoT expansion → surge in EEE → rise in WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment)

📊 Key Statistics (2022 Data)

• Global generation: 62 billion kg (≈7.8 kg per capita)
• Formally recycled: 22.3% (13.8 billion kg)
• Trend (2010–2022):
  • Generation: 34 → 62 billion kg
  • Recycling: 8 → 13.8 billion kg
  • Growth of e‑waste ≈ 5× faster than recycling

🌐 Regional Highlights

• Europe: Highest per capita generation (17.6 kg); highest recycling rate (42.8%)
• Africa: <1% formally recycled
• Global disparity: Recycling rates vary widely across regions

⚖️ Policy & Regulation

• Countries with legislation (2023): 81 (42%)
  • Target: 97 countries (50%) by 2023 → missed
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Adopted by 67 countries
• Collection targets: 46 countries; Recycling targets: 36 countries
• Trend: Growth rate of new legislation is decelerating

💰 Economic & Environmental Impact

• Loss in 2022: USD 37 billion
• Externalized costs: USD 78 billion (lead, mercury emissions, plastic leakage, global warming)
• Hazards: Improper management → toxic exposure, climate impact

🔮 Future Projections (2030 Scenarios)

• Projected generation: 82 billion kg
• Business as usual: Recycling rate declines to 20%
• ITU Target: 30% recycling by 2023 → not achieved
• Scenarios: Business as usual, Progressive, Ambitious, Aspirational

India’s E-Waste Situation

The national figure for FY 2024-25 is ~1.40 million MT, showing continued growth after a dip in 2023-24 (due to reporting changes and increased formal registration)

India is now the third-largest e-waste generator globally behind China and the U.S. according to recent analyses.

Challenges associated with E-Waste in India

• Informal recycling
  Around 85% of e-waste is managed by the unorganized sector, primarily consisting of scrap dealers scattered across the country.
• Inadequate e-waste management infrastructure
  There is a huge gap between present recycling and collection facilities and the quantum of E-waste that is being generated. 
• E-waste imports
  Cross-border flow of waste equipment into India- 80% of E-waste in developed countries meant for recycling is sent to developing countries such as India, China, Ghana, and Nigeria.
• Poor awareness and sensitization
  Limited reach out and awareness regarding disposal, after determining the end of useful life. 
• Technological advancement
  A focus on electronic solutions and short product lifecycles has raised consumption and e-waste generation.
• Other Issues
  Limited repair options; adverse environmental impact of improper e-waste handling and recycling etc.

E-Waste Management Rules — 2016

E-waste is rising rapidly in India, and unscientific recycling is causing:
→ Toxic exposure
→ Loss of valuable metals
→ Environmental contamination

To address this, India has strengthened its legal framework over time:

2011 Rules → 2016 Rules → 2019 Amendment → 2022 Rules → 2023 Amendment → 2024 Amendment.

• Hazardous waste (Management and Handling) amendment rules, 2003: First time covered the Hazardous materials in e-waste composition.
• E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011: Introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016: Introduced the concept of Producer Responsibility Organization.
• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 aim to promote a circular economy through the EPR regime.
• E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023: Its major provisions include-
  • It provides more clarity to the exemption of reduction of harmful substances.
  • Determination of the conversion factor of EPR certification generation.
  • Management of refringent by the producers.
• E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2024: Its major provisions include-
  • Relaxation of timelines for filing of returns or reports: By a manufacturer, producer, refurbished, or recycler for a period not exceeding nine months.
  • The central Government can establish one or more platforms for the exchange or transfer of EPR certificates.
  • The exchange price of the EPR certificate is to be between the highest and lowest prices fixed by the Central Pollution Control board

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

An environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product’s life cycle.