Electronic waste and state solid waste laws

by WORLD GREEN E-WASTE Professional E-Waste Recycling Services

The electronic waste produced around the world is increasing all the time according to several studies on the disposal of electronics. This amount is believed to increase by up to 17% by 2021.

 

For this reason, it is essential to make an urgent effort to improve the disposal and recycling of these electronic devices that are no longer of use.

 

The impact of electronic waste on the environment

 

The term electronic waste, also known as e-waste (e-waste), encompasses all types of waste produced by the disposal of electronic equipment and products in general.

 

The environmental problem begins when these electronic equipment are improperly disposed of, anywhere and even in trash cans and common plastic bags, the same ones we use in our daily lives, mixing with consumer objects, food and others.

 

This incorrect disposal in the environment makes the aggressive substances that make up these electronic equipments to start attacking nature. This is because these products have several heavy chemical components in their composition, such as:

 

·         Lead;

·         Cadmium;

·         Mercury;

·         Beryllium and others.

 

These substances can harm the soil and even contaminate the water.

 

The informal sector that collects E-Waste Recycling Services in landfills usually only extract materials of commercial value, such as gold and silver, through incineration, and chemical reactions usually produce toxic liquids and gases that contaminate the soil and consequently the groundwater.

 

This work in landfills is little supervised and often even ignored, without any effectiveness in its recycling process, thus compromising the health of those who are in this landfill and those who come in contact with this equipment, people who do not use the equipment. of protection required. In addition, of course, the most dangerous consequence: risks to the environment.

 

How should electronics disposal be done?

 

Among the main reasons why e-waste has grown steadily are the low demand for maintenance (people choose to buy a new one) and the value of this equipment is constantly falling. Consumerism and the value for maintaining this equipment, which ends up being more expensive than the acquisition of new equipment and ends up contributing to this growth not stopping.

 

However, we can then understand that some of this equipment is disposed of correctly and safely, while others are stored at home and the rest of the existing equipment ends up in a common garbage dump.

 

Electronic equipment should never be disposed of in an ordinary trash can or packed in newspapers or plastic. It is recommended that disposal is done properly at collection points that have been created for this purpose: the safe disposal of electronic equipment.

 

India has collection points, in supermarkets or in electronic products resellers that have an adequate place for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Even without any kind of recycling technology, India took the first step to avoid the constant growth in the production of electronic waste.

 

After proper disposal of electronic waste, the material can be recycled or donated to other people or even donated to institutions for reuse, in addition to the noble metals that can be reused in different ways when properly disposed of.

 

E-waste recycling process

 

Few electronic waste is recycled annually. The value of raw materials such as Gold, Copper and Palladium in these wastes was estimated at 55 billion Euros. That's because, according to several researches, a ton of cell phones could yield up to 3.5 kg of silver and several other compounds.

 

But every e-waste recycling process is complex and requires a specialized workforce to be done properly. This is because after collection, the entire recycling process goes through a sorting process, where equipment that still has conditions of use are separated and that can be sent for donation of equipment that cannot be reused.

 

Right after this separation, the electronic devices go through a process where they are disassembled, the housing, battery, glass and circuit boards are separated.

 

The carcass is then crushed and separated by material according to density. After that, the waste is then sent for sale to companies that use the components present in these electronic equipment, incinerating or even melting and being transformed into another type of plastic.

 

Cell phone screen and monitor glass have different components such as lead and arsenic. In this way, they are usually separated by type of glass or mixed, going through a grinding and treatment process, being sold to companies that use them as raw material.

 

The batteries of these equipments are separated and sent to companies that will carry out the proper disposal or recycling.

 

Toxic materials are placed in tanks prepared for the storage of these residues properly and then sent to companies specialized in this type of material.

 

Who is responsible for e-waste?

 

For e-waste disposal to be done effectively, it is important to bring people together, as the environment is a matter that concerns everyone and without mobilization, it is impossible to achieve any kind of result.

 

Government

It is necessary to apply public policies for collection and destination. India has the Solid Waste Policy,

 

This policy specifies that manufacturers, importers and resellers are responsible for collecting products susceptible to contamination, such as light bulbs and batteries. But the law does not require the collection of other types of material, such as cell phones (only the batteries are collected) and printer toner.

 

The agencies that work with the regulation of electronic products must also have solutions to the problem of electronic waste.

 

Electronic Materials Companies

 

Companies responsible for the production of electronic materials are also responsible for electronic waste.

 

For example, Dell has already collected billions of pounds of e-waste used in 75 countries where the company operates and by 2020 this number is estimated to reach two billion.

 

In turn, in its 15 years of operation, has already collected and carried out the conscientious disposal of more than 35,000 tons of electronic waste in India.

 

How can computer reuse impact the environment?

 

The reuse of computers undoubtedly has positive impacts on the environment. This is because its components receive a new life with this reuse, which consequently reduces the amount of waste in landfills and an important amount of consumption of natural resources and energy that would be used to produce new electronic equipment.

 

The reuse of this electronic equipment, especially computers, is in accordance with the National Solid Waste Policy mentioned above. And the circular economy proposes that electronic products be reused as many times as possible, and then recycled.

 

How does reuse work?

 

Computer reuse works like this: a computer is disassembled; components are cleaned, repaired, or replaced when parts need to be changed, updated, or reassembled.

 

Many people mistakenly believe that computers that go through this process for reuse end up not working well or simply have their lifespan shorter than they already were. It is important for the population to know that computers after this first process undergo a quality test, as well as a new product before being offered for sale.

 

All this to ensure that the electronic equipment is in excellent condition for use. Computers up to five years old are usually fast and can be adapted to meet the needs of different users.

 

In order for consumption to finally become conscious and for natural resources not to suffer from the consequences, it is essential that the useful life of these electronic products increase, especially for computers.

 

Reuse creates a new life cycle for these electronic equipment so that they can return to providing benefits to users at a better value, which also positively impacts people and the economy, making expensive electronic equipment accessible. to many people.

Recycling and reuse

 

Both processes, both recycling and reuse, are of great importance for the environment and ensure a healthier contribution, also preventing good materials from being wasted.

 

But, it is always important to know the difference between them and that there are cases where reuse may not work or recycling is not the most suitable option for that equipment.

Read also: Waste recycling: the advantages and limitations

 

Read also: Buying electronic scrap: see why and who to sell to

 

Recycling

 

The main objective of recycling is to transform electronic equipment into waste that can be used again by industries, that is, to make this product go through a new production cycle. Examples of waste that can be recycled are metals that are in the processing plates (CPUs), iron and/or steel in the equipment cabinet, among others.

 

Every recycling process for these materials reduces the consumption of raw materials, energy consumption, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

 

When talking about the reuse of electronic equipment, it is said that it will not go through a new production process, but will be used again. Even though it does not directly contribute to waste, reuse means a process that saves raw materials and avoids damage to the environment.

 

According to several studies, it is much more beneficial to the environment to extend the useful life of computers that have been used for up to five years, than to recycle this equipment at the end of this period.

 

In addition to the reuse of electronic equipment, contributing to the environment by reducing energy and raw material consumption, the reuse of equipment also:

 

·         Prevents the inappropriate disposal of materials in the garbage, preventing the pollution of water and other natural components from occurring;

·         Reduces the presence of hazardous waste in these unsuitable landfills;

·         Creates new job opportunities and new ventures;

·         It creates products accessible to consumers who are unable to purchase new electronic equipment.

Reuse is then the best option compared to recycling in several ways.

 

Why in India, reverse logistics is still not used effectively?

 

India still needs to sign the economic sectors Agreement. This agreement will bring the necessary rules for this type of electronic disposal.

 

The negotiation of this agreement is not simple and involves several changes that need to be made in the government and also in the environmental agencies, to ensure that the collection, transport and recycling are done in an adequate and safe way for the environment and the population .

 

 The negotiation of reverse logistics in India is in its final phase, but there are still many things to be resolved so that it is finally implemented in the law.

 

Even with such a lack of knowledge, electronic waste is still no more harmful than conventional waste, on the contrary, it is even more polluting due to the high amount of elements considered highly harmful when discarded indiscriminately in nature.

 

Pollutants mainly present in batteries and capacitor devices that are responsible for energy storage.

 

To improve the current situation it is important to become aware of the problem and adopt proper electronic equipment recycling policies. Or carry out the reuse of these equipments.

 

We can also control and reduce the consumption of these equipments by reusing them or with proper routing. In addition, companies that manufacture electronic products can also be encouraged to cause less impact and then be included at the time of purchase or even provide some benefit to companies that collect old equipment.

 

With this, we will guarantee an improvement in the environment, and we will be considerably advanced, treating garbage properly and reusing it, not just disposing of it in any way, causing damage to the environment and also to our health.

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Created on Jul 16th 2021 04:29. Viewed 260 times.

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