ENVIRONMENT ALLY SOUND OPTIONS FOR E-WASTES MANAGEMENT

*Ramachandra T.V., * Saira Varghese K.

ABSTRACT

"E-waste" is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life."E-wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products containmaterials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The hazardous content ofthese materials pose a threat to human health and environment. Discarded computers,televisions. VCRs. stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipmentand batteries if improperly disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil andgroundwater. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in anenvironmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem. This paperhighlights the hazards of e-wastes, the need for its appropriate management and options that canbe implemented.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Industrial revolution followed by theadvances in information technologyduring the last century has radicallychanged people's lifestyle. Although thisdevelopment has helped the human race,mismanagement has led to new problemsof contamination and pollution. Thetechnical prowess acquired during the lastcentury has posc;d a new challenge in themanagement of wastes. . For example,personal computers (PCs) containcertain components, which are highlytoxic, such as chlorinated and brominatedsubstances, toxic gases, toxic metals,biologically active materials, acids,plastics and plastic additives. Thehazardous content of these materialspose an environmental and healththreat. Thus proper management isnecessary while disposing or recycling e-wastes.

These days computer has become mostcommon and widely used gadget in allkinds of activities ranging from schools,residences, offices to manufacturingindustries. E-toxic components incomputers could be summarized as circuitboards containing heavy metals like lead& cadmium; batteries containingcadmium; cathode ray tubes with leadoxide & barium; brominated flame-retardants used on printed circuit boards,cables and plastic casing; poly vinylchloride (PVe) coated copper cables andplastic computer; casings that release

highly toxic dioxins & furans when burntto recover valuable metals; mercuryswitches; mercury in flat screens; polychlorinated biphenyl's (PCB's) present inolder capacitors; transformers; etc. Basel,Action Network (BAN) estimates that the500 million computers in the worldcontain 2.87 billion kgs of plastics, 716.7million kgs of lead and 286,700 kgs ofmercury. The average 14-inch monitoruses a tube that contains an estimated2.5 to 4 kgs of lead. The lead can seepinto the ground water from landfillsthereby contaminating it. If the tube iscrushed and burned, it emits toxic fumesinto the air.

1.1 EFFECTS ONENVIRONMENT ANDHEALTH

THEHUMAN

Disposal of e-wastes is a particularproblem faced in many regions across theglobe. Computer wastes that are landfilled produces contaminated leachates.which eventually pollute thegroundwater. Acids and sludge obtainedfrom melting computer chips, if disposedon the ground causes acidification of soil.For example, Guiyu. Hong Kong athriving area of illegal e-waste recyclingis facing acute water shortages due to thecontamination of water resources.

This is due to disposal of recyclingwastes such as acids, sludges etc. inrivers. Now water is being transportedfrom faraway towns to cater to the

*Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of ScienceBangalore.

demands of the population. Incinerationof e-wastes can emit toxic fumes and

gases, thereby polluting the surroundingair. Improperly monitored landfills cancause environmental hazards. Mercurywill leach when certain electronicdevices, such as circuit breakers aredestroyed. The same is true forpolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) fromcondensers. When brominated flameretardant plastic or cadmium containingplastics are landfilled, bothpolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)and cadmium may leach into the soil andgroundwater. It has been found thatsignificant amounts of lead ion aredissolved from broken lead containingglass, such as the cone glass of cathoderay tubes, gets mixed with acid watersand are a common occurrence inlandfills. Not only does the leaching ofmercury poses specific problems, thevaporization of metallic mercury anddimethylene mercury, both part ofWaste Electrical and ElectronicEquipment (WEEE) is also of concern.In addition, uncontrolled fires may ariseat landfills and this could be a frequentoccurrence in many countries. Whenexposed to fire, metals and other chemicalsubstances, such as the extremely toxicdioxins and furans (TCDD- tetrachloro -dibenzo - dioxin.

PCDDs - polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins. PBDDs-polybrominateddibenzo-dioxin and PCDFs -

polychlorinated dibenzo furans) fromhalogenated flame retardant products andPCB containing condensers can beemitted. The most dangerous form ofburning e-waste is the open-air burningof plastics in order to recover copper andother metals. The toxic fall-out from open-air burning affects both the localenvironment and broader global aircurrents, depositing highly toxic by-products in many places throughout theworld.Table 1 summarises the health effectsof certain constituents in e-wastes. Ifthese electronic items are discarded with

other household garbage, the toxies pose

E-Waste Management

a threat to both health and vital

components of the ecosystem.In view of the ill-effects of hazardouswastes to both environment and health,several countries exhorted the need for a

global agreement to address the problemsand challenges posed by hazardous waste.Also, in the late 1980s, a tightening ofenvironmental regulations in industrializedcountries led to a dramatic rise in the cost

of hazardous waste disposal. Searching forcheaper ways to get rid of the wastes, "toxictraders" began shipping hazardous waste to-developing countries. International outragefollowing these irresponsible activities ledto the drafting and adoption of strategicplans and regulations at the BaselConvention. The Convention secretariat, inGeneva, Switzerland, facilitates andimplementation of the Convention andrelated agreements. It also providesassistance and guidelines on legal andtechnical issues, gathers statistical data, andconducts training on the propermanagement of hazardous waste.

2.0 BASEL CONVENTION

The fundamental aims of the Basel.Convention are the control and

reduction of transboundary movementsof hazardous and other wastes includingthe prevention and minimization of theirgeneration, the environmentally soundmanagement of such wastes and theactive promotion of the transfer and useof technologies.A Draft Strategic Plan has beenproposed for the implementation ofThe Basel Convention. The DraftStrategic Plan takes into accountexisting regional plans, programmes orstrategies, the decisions of the Conferenceof the Parties and its subsidiary bodies,ongoing project activities and process ofinternational environmental governanceand sustainable development. The Draftrequires action at all levels of society:training, information, communication,methodological tools, capacity buildingwith financial support, transfer ofknow-how, knowledge and sound,proven cleaner technologies andprocesses to assist in the concrete imple-

E-Waste Management

Table I: Effects of E-Waste constituent on health

-mentation of the Basel Declaration. Italso calls for the effective involvement

and coordination by all concernedstakeholders as essential for achievingthe aims of the Basel Declaration withinthe approach of common butdifferentiated responsibility.A set. of interrelated and mutuallysupportive strategies are proposed tosupport the concrete implementation ofthe activities as indicated in the website(www. basel.jntJDraftstr a te KJ coja 04 Seot. 0 dF)

is described below:a) To involve experts in designing

communication tools For creatingawareness at the highest level topromote the aims of the BaselDeclaration on environmentallysound management and theratification and implementation ofthe Basel Convention, itsamendments and protocol with theemphasis on the short-termactivities.

b) To engage and stimulate a group of

interested Parties to assist the

secretariat in exploring fund raisingstrategies including the preparationof projects and inmaking full use of expertise innon-governmental organizations andother institutions in joint projects.

c) To motivate selective partners amongvarious stakeholders to bring addedvalue to making progress in the short-term.

d) To disseminate and makeinformation easily accessiblethrough the internet and otherelectronic and printed materials onthe transfer of know-how, inparticular through Basel ConventionRegional Centers (BCRCs).

e) To undertake periodic review ofactivities in relation to the agreedindicators;

f) To collaborate with existing institutionsand programmes to promote better use

Source of e-wastes Constituent Health effectsSolder in printedcircuitboards,glass Lead (PB) . Damageto central andperipheralnervouspanelsand gasketsin computer systems,blood systemsandkidneymonitors damage.. Affectsbrain developmentof children.Chip resistorsandsemiconductors Cadmium(CD) .Toxic irreversibleeffectson human

health..Accumulatesin kidneyand liver.. Causesneuraldamage..Teratoenic.

Relaysand switches,printedcircuit Mercury(Hg) .Chronicdamageto thebrain.boards . Respiratory and skin disorders due to

bioaccumulationin fishes.Corrosionprotectionof untreated Hexavalentchromium(Cr) .Asthmaticbronchitis.and galvanizedsteelplates, decorator VI . DNA damage.or hardnerfor steel housingsCablingandcomputerhousing PlasticsincludingPVC Burningproducesdioxm. It causes.Reproductiveanddevelopmental

problems;. Immunesystemdamage;. Interefere with reRulatory hormones

Plastichousingof electronic Brominatedflameretardants . Disrupts endocrine system functionsequipmentsand circuitboards. (BFR)Frontpanel ofCRTs Barium(Ba) Short term exposurecauses:.Muscle weakness;.Damageto heart, liver and spleen.Motherboard Beryllium (Be) . Carcinogenic(lungcancer). Inhalationof fumesand dust. Causes

chronicberyl\iumdiseaseor beryllicosis.. Skin diseases such as warts.

of cleaner technology and its transfer,methodology, economic instrumentsor policy to facilitate or supportcapacity-building for theenvironmentally sound managementof hazardous and other wastes.

The Basel Convention brought about arespite to the transboundary movement ofhazardous waste. India and other countrieshave ratified the convention. HoweverUnited States (US) is not a party to the banand is responsible for disposing hazardouswaste, such as, e-waste to Asian countrieseven today. Developed countries such asUS should enforce stricter legislations intheir own country for the prevention ofthis horrifyingact.In the European Union, where the annualquantity of electronic waste is likely todouble in the next 12 years, the EuropeanParliament recently passed legislation thatwill requiremanufacturersto takeback theirelectronicproductswhen consumersdiscardthem This is called Extended ProducerResponsibility.It also mandates a timetablefor phasing out most toxic substances inelectronicproducts.

3.0 MANAGEMENT OF E-W ASTES

It is estimated that 75% of electronicitems are stored due to uncertainty ofhow to manage it. These electronicjunkslie unattended in houses, offices,warehouses etc. and normally mixed withhouseholdwastes,which is fmallydisposedoff at landfills.This necessitatesimplementablemanagementmeasures.

In industriesmanagementof e-wasteshouldbegin at the point of generation.This can bedone by waste minimization techniquesand by sustainable product design. Wasteminimization in industries involvesadopting:

. inventorymanagement,

. production-processmodification,

. volume rt:duction,

. recovery and reuse.

3.1.1 Inventory management

Proper control over the materials used inthe manufacturingprocess is an important

E-Waste Management

way to reduce waste generation(Freeman,1989). By reducing both the quantity ofhazardous materials used in the processand the amount of excess raw materialsin stock, the quantity of waste generatedcan be reduced. This can be done in twoways i.e. establishing material-purchasereview and control procedures andinventorytrackingsystem.Developing review procedures for allmaterial purchased is the first step inestablishing an inventory managementprogram. Procedures should require thatall materials be approvedprior to purchase.In the approval process all productionmaterials are evaluated to examine if theycontainhazardousconstituentsand whetheralternative non-hazardous materials areavailable.Another inventory management procedurefor waste reduction is to ensure that onlythe neededquantityof a materialis ordered.This will require the establishment of astrict inventory tracking system. Purchaseprocedures must be implemented whichensurethat materialsare orderedonly on anas-needed basis and that only the amountneeded for a specific period of time isordered.

3.1.2 Production-process modification

Changes can be made in the productionprocess, which will reduce wastegeneration. This reduction can beaccomplished by changing the materialsused to make the product or by the moreefficient use of input materials in theproduction process or both. Potentialwaste - minimization techniques can bebroken down into three categories: i)Improved operating and maintenanceprocedures, ii) Material change andiii)Process-equipmentmodification.Improvements in the operation andmaintenance of process equipment canresult in significant waste reduction. Thiscan be accomplished by reviewingcurrent operational procedures or lack ofprocedures and examination of theprodu<;tionprocess for ways to improveits efficien~y. Instituting standardoperation procedures can optimise the useof raw materials in the production processand reduce the potential for materials to be

E-Waste Management

lost through leaks and spills. A strictmaintenance program, which stressescorrective maintenance, can reduce wastegeneration caused by equipment failure.An employee-training program is a keyelement of any waste reductionprogram. Training should include correctoperating and handling procedures, properequipment use, recommendedmaintenance and inspection schedules,correct process control specifications andproper managementof waste materials.

Hazardous materials used in eithera product formulation or a productionprocess may be replaced with a lesshazardous or non-hazardous material.This is a very widely used technique andis applicable to most manufacturingprocesses. Implementation of this waste-reduction technique may require onlysome minor process adjustments or it mayrequire extensive new process equipment.For example, a circuit board manufacturercan replace solvent-based product withwater-based flux and simultaneouslyreplace solvent-vapor degreaser withdetergent parts washer.

Installing more efficient processequipment or modifying existingequipment to take advantage of betterproduction techniques can significantlyreduce waste generation. New or updatedequipment can use p:'ocessmaterials moreefficiently, producing less waste.Additionally such efficiency reduces thenumber of rejected or off-specificationproducts, thereby reducing the amount ofmaterial which has to be reworked ordisposed of. Modifying existing processequipment can be a very cost-effectivemethod of reducing waste generation. Inmany cases the modification can just berelatively simple changes in the way thematerials are handled within the processto ensure that they are not wasted. Forexample, in many electronicmanufacturing operations, which involvecoating a product, such as electroplatingor painting, chemicals are used to strip offcoating from rejected products so that theycan be recoated. These chemicals, whichcan include acids, caustics, cyanides etcare often a hazardous waste and must beproperly managed. By reducing the

number of parts that have to be reworked,the quantity of waste can be significantlyreduced.

3.1.3 Volume reduction

Volume reduction includes thosetechniques that remove the hazardousportion of a waste from a non-hazardousportion. These techniques are usually toreduce the volume, and thus the cost ofdisposing of, a waste material. Thetechniques that can be used to reducewaste-stream volume can be divided into2 general categories: source segregationand waste concentration. Segregation ofwastes is in many cases a simple andeconomical technique for waste reduction.Wastes containing different. types ofmetals can be treated separately so thatthe metal value in the sludge can berecovered. Concentration of a wastestream may increase the likelihood thatthe material can be recycled or re-used.Methods include gravity and vacuumfiltration, ultra filtration, reverse osmosis,freeze vaporization etc.For example, an electronic componentmanufacturer can use compactionequipments to reduce volume of wastecathode ray-tube.

3.1.4 Recovery and reuse

This technique could eliminate waste-disposal costs, reduce raw materialcosts and provide income from a salablewaste. Waste can be recovered on-site, orat an off-site recovery facility, or throughinter industry exchange. A number ofphysical and chemical techniques areavailable to reclaim a waste material suchas reverse osmosis, electrolysis,condensation, electrolytic recovery,filtration, centrifugation etc. Forexample, a printed-circuit boardmanufacturer can use electrolyticrecovery to reclaim metals from copperand tin-lead plating bath.However recycling of hazardousproducts has little environmentalbenefit- it simply moves the hazards intosecondary products that eventually haveto be disposed of. Unless the goal is toredesign the product to use non-

hazardous materials, such recycling is afalse solution.

3.1.5 Sustainable product design

Minimization of hazardous wastes

should be at product design stage itselfkeeping in mind the followin~ factors.. Rethink the product design: Efforts

should be made to design a productwith fewer amounts of hazardousmaterials. For example, the efforts toreduce material use are reflected insome new computer designs that areflatter, lighter and more integrated.Other companies propose centralizednetworks similar to the telephonesystem.. Use of renewable materials andenergy: Bio-based plastics areplastics made with plant-basedchemicals or plant-producedpolymers rather than from pctro-chemicals. Bio-based toners, gluesand inks are used more frequently.Solar computers also exist but theyare currently very expensive.

. Use of non-renewable materials thatare safer: Because many of thematerials used are non-renewable,designers could ensure the product isbuilt for re-use, repair and/orupgradeability. Some computermanufacturers such as Dell andGateway lease out their productsthereby ensuring they get them backto further upgrade and lease outagam.

*(httD ://www .svtc.or2/cleanCC/Dubs/savno.htm)

4.0 THE INDIAN SCENARIO

While the world is marveling at thetechnological revolution, countries likeIndia are facing an imminent danger.E-waste of developed countries, such asthe US, dispose their wastes to India andother Asian countries. A recentinvestigation revealed that much of theelectronicsturned over for recycling in theUnited States ends up in Asia, where theyare either disposed of or recycled withlittle or no regard for environmental or

E-Waste Management

worker health and safety. Major reasonsfor exports are cheap labour and lack ofenvironmental and occupational standardsin Asia and in this way the toxic effluentof the developed nations' would floodtowards the world's poorest nations. Themagnitude of these problems is yet to bedocumented. However, groups like ToxicLinks India are already working oncollating data that could be a step towardscontrolling this hazardous trade.It is imperative that developing countriesand India in particular wake up to themonopoly of the developed countries andset up appropriate management measuresto prevent the hazards and mishaps due tomismanagement of e-wastes.

5.0 MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Considering the severity of the problem, it isimperative that certain management optionsbe adopted to handle the bulk e-wastes.Following are some of the managementoptions suggested for the government,industries and the public.

5.1.1 ResponsibilitiesGovernment

of the

(i) Governments should set up regulatoryagencies in each district, which arevested with the responsibility ofco-ordinating and consolidating theregulatory functions of the variousgovernment authorities regardinghazardous substances.

(ii) Governments should be responsiblefor providing an adequate system oflaws, controls and administrativeprocedures for hazardous wastemanagement (Third World Network.1991). Existing laws concerninge-waste disposal be reviewed andrevamped. A comprehensive law thatprovides e-waste regulation andmanagement and proper disposal ofhazardous wastes is required. Such alaw should empower the agency tocontrol, supervise and regulate therelevant activities of governmentdepartments.

E-Waste Management

Under this law, the agency concernedshould. Collect basic infonnation on the

materials from manufacturers,

processors and importers and tomaintain an inventory of thesematerials. The information should

include toxicity and potentialhannful effects.

. Identify potentially hanDfulsubstances and require theindustry to test them for adversehealth and environmental effects.. Control risks from manufacture,

processing, distribution, use anddisposal of electronic wastes.

. Encourage beneficial reuse of"e-waste" and encouragingbusiness activities that use

waste". Set up programs so as topromote recyclingamong citizens and businesses.. Educate e-waste generators onreuse/recycling options

(iii)Governments must encourageresearch into the development andstandard of hazardous waste

management, environmentalmonitoring and the regulation ofhazardous waste-disposal,

(iv)Governments should enforce strictregulations against dumping e-wastein .the country by outsiders. Wherethe laws are flouted, stringentpenalties must be imposed. Inparticular, custodial sentencesshould be preferred to paltry fines,which these outsiders / foreignnationals can pay.

(v) Governments should enforce strictregulations and heavy fineslevied on industries, which donot practice waste prevention andrecovery in the productionfacilities.

(vi) Polluter pays principle and extendedproducer responsibility should beadopted.

(vii)Governments should encourage andsupport NGOs and otherorganizations to involve activelyin solving the nation's e-wasteproblems,

(viii)Uncontrolled dumping is anunsatisfactory method for disposalof hazardous waste and should be

phased out.(viii)Governments should explore

opportunities to partner withmanufacturers and retailers to

provide recycling services.

5.1.2 Responsibility and Roleindustries

of

1. Generators of wastes should takeresponsibility to detennine theoutput characteristics of wastes and ifhazardous, should providemanagement options.All personnel involved in handlinge-waste in industries including thoseat the policy, management, controland operational levels, should beproperly qualified and trained.Companies can adopt their ownpolicies while handling e-wastes. Some are given below:

. Use label materialsto assist inrecycling (particularly plastics).

. Standardize components for easydisassembly.

. Re-evaluate 'cheap products' use,make product cycle 'cheap' andso t..~atit has no inherent value

that would encourage a recyclinginfrastructure.. Create computer componentsand peripherals ofbiodegradable materials.. Utilize technology sharingparticularly for manufacturingand de manufacturing.. Encourage / promote / requiregreen procurement forcorporate buyers.. Look at green packagingoptions.

11.

Companies can and should adoptwaste minimization techniqu.es,which will make a significantreduction in the quantity of e-wastegenerated and thereby lessening theimpact on the environment. It is a"reverse production" system thatdesigns infrastructure to recover andreuse every material contained withine-wastes - metals such as lead,copper, aluminum and gold, andvarious plastics, glass and wire. Sucha "closed loop" manufacturing andrecovery system offers a win-~insituation for everyone - less of theEarth will be mined for rawmaterials, and groundwater will beprotected, researchers explain.Manufacturers, distributors, andretailers should undertake theresponsibility of recycling/disposal oftheir own products.Manufacturers of computermonitors, television sets and otherelectronic devices containinghazardous materials must beresponsible for educating consumersand the general public regarding thepotential threat to public health andthe environment posed by theirproducts. At minimum, all computermonitors, television sets and otherelectronic devices containinghazardous materials must be clearlylabeled to identify environmentalhazards and proper materialsmanagement.

5.1.3 Responsibilities of the Citizen

111.

IV.

v.

Waste prevention is perhaps morepreferred to any other wastemanagement option including recycling.Donating electronics for reuse extends thelives of valuable products and keepsthem out of the waste managementsystem for a longer time. But care shouldbe taken while donating such items i.e.the items should be in working condition.

E-Waste Management

Reuse, in addition to being anenvironmentally preferable alternative,also benefits society. By donating usedelectronics, schools, non-profitorganizations, and lower-income familiescan afford to use equipment that theyotherwise could not afford.E-wastes should never be disposedwith garbage and other householdwastes. This should be segregated at,the site and sold or donated tovarious organizations.While buying electronic products opt forthose that:

are made with fewer toxicconstituents:

use recycled content;are energy efficient;

. are designed for easy upgrading or

disassembly. utilize minimal packagingoffer leasing or take back optionshave been certified by regulatory

authorities. Customers should optfor upgrading their computers orother electronic items to the latest

versions rather than buying new

equipments.NGOs should adopt a participatoryapproach in management of e-wastes.

Acknowledgement

We thank the Ministry of Environmentand Forests, Government of India andIndian Institute of Science for sustained

support in our research endeavor.

References:

-Freeman M. H. 1989. Standard Handbook

of Hazardous Waste Treatment andDisposal, McGraw-Hill Company, USA.-Third World Network. 1991. Toxic

Terror: Dumping of Hazardous Wastes in(he Third World, Third World Network,Malaysia.