SEMINAR REPORT

THE ELECTRONIC WASTE PROBLEM

Submitted By:

Saksham Garg

UE6458

Table of ContentsTHE ELECTRONIC WASTE PROBLEM.....................................................................1

I. What is E-Waste?.................................................................................................2

II. Why is E-Waste a problem?.................................................................................3

III. E-Waste: Growth...............................................................................................3

E-Waste Hazards....................................................................................................4

IV. E-waste: It’s implications.................................................................................4

Status of Information on E-Waste...........................................................................5

V. E-Waste: Main Sources........................................................................................6

Amounts of E-Waste:...............................................................................................6

VI. Need for Legal Framework..............................................................................7

Objectives...............................................................................................................7

VII. Ingredients of legislation..................................................................................7

VIII. LEGISLATION ON ELECTRONIC WASTE.......................................................8

Existing Legislation:...............................................................................................8

IX. Proposed e-Waste Solution...............................................................................9

X. E-Waste must be managed responsibly.............................................................10

What can you do?..................................................................................................10

Recycle E-Waste................................................................................................10

XI. An Indian Prospective.....................................................................................11

Growing concern over India's e-waste..................................................................11

What is being done?..............................................................................................12

Government initiative........................................................................................12

Corporate initiative............................................................................................12

Purpose..............................................................................................................12

XII. References:.....................................................................................................13

I. What is E-Waste?

Electronic waste or e-waste is any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic appliance. E-waste includes computers, entertainment electronics, mobile phones and other items that have been discarded by their original users.

E-waste is the inevitable by-product of a technological revolution. Driven primarily by faster, smaller and cheaper microchip technology, society is experiencing an evolution in the capability of electronic appliances and personal electronics. For all its benefits, innovation brings with it the byproduct of rapid obsolescence. According to the EPA, nationally, an estimated 5 to 7 million tons of computers, televisions, stereos, cell phones, electronic appliances and toys, and other electronic gadgets become obsolete every year. According to various reports, electronics comprise approximately 1 – 4 percent of the municipal solid waste stream. The electronic waste problem will continue to grow at an accelerated rate. Electronic, or e-waste, refers to electronic products being discarded by consumers. These include:

• Televisions and computer monitors• Computers and computer peripherals• Audio and stereo equipment• VCRs and DVD players• Telephones, cellular phones and other wireless devices

Computer monitors and older television picture tubes contain an average of four poundsof lead. In addition to lead, electronics can contain chromium, cadmium, mercury,

beryllium, nickel, and zinc. When electronics are not disposed of or recycled properly,these toxic materials can present problems.

The sheer amount of electronic equipment that we buy, depend on, enjoy and then discard has resulted in a growing environmental challenge – E-Waste. Each year hundreds of thousands of computers, monitors, televisions, printers, copiers, fax machines, cell phones and other electronics become obsolete to consumers. Rapid advances in technology, a demand for new features and even planned obsolescence accelerate the generation of old, unwanted electronics. E-Waste, however, provides a more complex challenge beyond the numbers. E-Waste contains metals and other materials that can be hazardous not only to the environment but to human health if not properly managed. The overall challenge is to find ways to reduce the amount of E-Waste being generated followed by ways to reuse, recycle or properly dispose of older equipment.

II. Why is E-Waste a problem?

• E-waste is the most rapidly growing waste problem in the world. • It is a crisis of not quantity alone but also a crisis born from toxics

ingredients, posing a threat to the occupational health as well as the environment.

• Rapid technology change, low initial cost, high obsolescence rate have resulted in a fast growing problem around the globe.

• Legal framework, proper collection system missing.• Imports regularly coming to the recycling markets.• Inhuman working conditions for recycling.

VERY SEVERE PROBLEMIn USA alone?

Between 1997 and 2007, nearly 500 million personal computers became obsolete-almost two computers for each person.

750,000 computers expected to end up in landfills this year alone. In 2005, 42 million computers were discarded 25 million in storage 4 million recycled 13 million land filled 0.5 million incinerated

These figures in Europe are much similar.

III. E-Waste: Growth

IT and telecom are two fastest growing industries in the country.• India, by 2008, should achieve a PC penetration of 65 per 1,000 from

the existing 14 per 1,000 (MAIT)• At present, India has 15 million computers. The target being 75

million computers by 2010.• Over 2 million old PCs ready for disposal in India.• Life of a computer reduced from 7 years to 3-5 years.• E-Waste: Growth Over 75 million current mobile users, expected to

increase to 200 million by 2007 end.• Memory devices, MP3 players, iPods etc. are the newer additions.• Preliminary estimates suggest that total WEEE generation in India is

approximately 1, 46,000 tonnes per year.

Three categories of WEEE account for almost 90% of the generation: Large Household appliances: 42.1% Information and communications: 33.9% technology equipmentConsumer Electronics: 13.7%

E-Waste HazardsAverage PC of approx. 31.5 kg wt. contains: Two million Obsolete PCs would mean:7.24 kg - Plastics 14,427,000 kg1.98 kg - Lead 3,962,700 kg0.693g - Mercury 1,386 kg0.4095g - Arsenic 819 kg2.961g - Cadmium 5,922 kg1.98g - Chromium 3,969 kg9.92g - Barium 19,845 kg4.94g - Beryllium 9,891 kg

IV. E-waste: It’s implications

• Electronic products often contain hazardous and toxic materials that pose environmental risks if they are land filled or incinerated.

• Televisions, video and computer monitors use cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which have significant amounts of lead.

• Printed circuit boards contain primarily plastic and copper, and most have small amounts of chromium, lead solder, nickel, and zinc.

• In addition, many electronic products have batteries that often contain nickel, cadmium, and other heavy metals. Relays and switches in electronics, especially older ones, may contain mercury.

• Also, capacitors in some types of older and larger equipment that is now entering the waste stream may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Status of Information on E-WasteData on the impacts of e-waste is limited

Exposure pathways have not been clearly unidentified Long-term effects on environmental health and human health are still

unknown Increased awareness and education are needed

V. E-Waste: Main Sources

Imports;

Govt., public and private sector discards (over 70%);

PC retailers, manufacturers;

Secondary market of old PCs; and

Individual Households.

Amounts of E-Waste:

The amount and composition of E-Waste reported are available from various

sources and vary widely. The sources listed in this FYI represent the latest

information available. Consumer electronics comprised about 1.2 percent or

2.8 million tons of the municipal solid waste (MSW) generated nationwide

according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). South

Carolinians generated 4.7 million tons of

MSW in FY 2005. Based on the U.S. EPA’s rate, an estimated 56,025 tons of

E-Waste was generated in the state. Only 728 tons of E-Waste was reported

recycled according to the S.C. Solid Waste Management Annual Report for

FY 2005. About 20 million televisions become obsolete each year according

to a 2003 report by the International Association of Electronics Recyclers.

About 20.6 million computers became obsolete in 1998 according to the

National Safety Council. Americans purchased about 20 million computers,

another 7.8 million computer monitors and nearly 20 million televisions in

2004 according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). What do the

CEA numbers “mean” for South Carolina? Based on the state’s population

(1.44 percent of the total U.S. population or 4.25 million of 296.4 million), it

is estimated that South Carolinians bought about 288,000 computers,

another 112,000 monitors and about 287,000 televisions in 2004.

VI. Need for Legal Framework

Ban on total imports of E waste. Domestic legal framework to address these gaps in import of E

Waste Need to address safe disposal of domestic waste. Tie recycling in with take-back product responsibility.

Objectives Conduct environmental contamination evaluation of typical e-waste

recycling sites. Study body loading of different toxic chemicals in human milk,

placenta and hair samples collected from workers and local residents.

Assess toxic effects of different toxic chemicals generated during the e-waste recycling processes, by means of bioassay tests.

Assess fates of toxic chemicals, in different ecological compartments; and uptake & bioaccumulation in workers (& local residents) using different models.

VII. Ingredients of legislation

The Framework should address the issue of E waste imports for reuse and recycling.

Attract investment in this sector. Link up activities of informal sector with formal sector. Provide for appropriate framework for processes. Promote adequate ESM technologies for recycling.

Incorporate precautionary principles and polluter pays.

Concept of EPR.

Adopt Consultative process.

VIII. LEGISLATION ON ELECTRONIC WASTE

More and more states are drafting legislation for the environment-friendly disposal ofelectronic waste. States have begun to address the e-waste problem by taking steps to

ban cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from landfills, imposing fees to fund recycling programsand having state agencies study ways to reduce the amount of waste.One model to the e-waste problem is to impose a fee on new electronic equipment thatis used to fund recycling programs. Another option to the growth of e-waste is to requiremanufacturers to develop and fund programs to collect and recycle the devices theymake. The benefit of this type of legislation is it makes manufacturers more responsiblefor coming up with a solution to the e-waste problem by making more environmentallyfriendly products.

Existing Legislation: Trans-boundary movement of E waste covered under the Basel

convention.

India ratified the convention in 1992.

Waste listed in list A and list B which prohibits such movements.

Waste importers exploit such gaps as listed in the convention.

Allowed to import against a license.

Covered under the “Hazardous Waste Amended Rules, 2003” in

List A and B of Schedule 3.

The Rule is inadequate to handle generation, transportation and

disposal of this complex waste

Regulators unable to monitor and regulate the informal sector.

DGFT and Foreign Trade Policy 2002-07 trade and licensing – not

under free imports.

IX. Proposed e-Waste Solution

• Create incentives to recycle

– Large quantity generators ≥ $40,000/year in tax credits

– Individual tax payers receive one $15 credit/year for recycling one or more units of e-Waste

• Re-evaluate program in three years

– It may become illegal to throw away e-Waste if adequate recycling infrastructure is available to public

• Potential issues

– Nothing in legislation mandates recyclingcenter creation

– Re-use incentives noticeably absent

• Reuse is the environmentally preferable option by extending the life of old equipments that defers the pollution and resource consumption associated with in making new products.

• Reuse provides opportunity, to the underprivileged that cannot afford or have no access to electronic equipment, at reduced or no cost.

• Electronic equipments which commercially & practically not good for reuse or is broken beyond repair, may be sent for disassembly i.e. salvaging parts, and selling reclaimed materials like ferrous, non ferrous, plastic, glass.

• Several electronic equipment, such as computers, monitors, printers, and scanners, contain materials suitable for reclamation and use in new products. These may include plastic, glass, steel, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, and other metals.

X. E-Waste must be managed responsibly.

Electronics are one of the largest known sources of heavy metals and organic pollutants in the waste stream. Some electronics – usually those with cathode ray tubes (CRTs), circuit boards, batteries and mercury switches – contain hazardous or toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and some types of flame retardants. CRTs are a particular concern. CRTs are the glass “picture tubes” in computer monitors, television sets and other video display devices that amplify and focus high-energyelectron beams to create the image seen on the screen. In order to protect consumers from radiation, the glass in CRTs contains lead. Lead, in fact, makes up about 20 percent of the weight of each CRT or anywhere from four to eight pounds per unit according to some studies. Although the lead probably is not an environmental issue while the monitor or television remains intact, the lead may be released under typical conditions at a landfill.

What can you do?You can reduce the environmental impact of your E-Waste by making changes in your buying habits, looking for ways to reuse including donating or recycling. Preventing waste to begin with is the preferred waste management option. Consider, for example, upgrading or repairing instead of buying new equipment to extend the life of your current equipment and perhaps save money. If you must buy new equipment, consider donating your still working, unwanted electronic equipment. This reuse extends the life of the products and allows non-profits, churches, schools and community organizations to have equipment they otherwise may not be able to afford. In South Carolina, for example, Habitat for Humanity Resale Stores, Goodwill and other similar organizations may accept working computers. When buying new equipment, check with the retailer or manufacturer to see if they have a “take-back program” that allows consumers to return old equipment when buying new equipment. Dell Computers, for example, became the first manufacturer to set up a program to take back any of its products anywhere in the world at no charge to the consumer. And, when buying, consider products with longerwarranties as an indication of long-term quality.

Recycle E-Waste.E-Waste can be recycled. Some components of E-Waste such as precious metals have considerable value on the recycling market, but frequently are difficult and expensive to process (dismantle, clean and sort) because of their toxicity. USA has a state contract for schools and school districts, colleges and universities and state agencies to use to recycle computers and other electronic equipment. Other government entities also may use the contract. As mentioned, there was legislation introduced in 2006 in USA that would set up a statewide program to recycle E-Waste.

XI. An Indian Prospective

Growing concern over India's e-waste

Mountains of e-waste - discarded parts of computers, mobile phones and

other consumer electronics equipment - are quietly creating a new

environmental problem in India. Besides waste generated within the

country, India amongst other Asian countries is witnessing ‘dumping’ from

western countries. Thirty million computers are thrown out every year in

the US alone, and many of these are dumped in India and China. Concerns

are being raised on the impact of this dumping on both the country's

environment, and its people. The problem is that these computers, which

are quite old, have a lot of toxic material in them. Computer components for

instance, contain lead and cadmium in circuit boards; lead oxide and

cadmium in monitor cathode ray tubes (CRTs); mercury in switches and flat

screen monitors; cadmium in computer batteries; polychlorinated biphenyls

(PCBs) in older capacitors & transformers; and brominated flame retardants

on printed circuit boards, plastic casings, cables and polyvinyl chloride

(PVC) cable insulation that release highly toxic dioxins and furans when

burned to retrieve copper from the wires. When extraction or recondition is

attempted over these electronic items, toxic chemicals and heavy metals are

released into the air, which are disastrous for the environment. Due to the

hazards involved, disposing and recycling E-waste has serious health, legal

and environmental implications. These materials are complex and difficult

to recycle in an environmentally sound manner even in well-developed

countries. The recycling of computer waste requires sophisticated

technology and processes, which are not only very expensive, but also need

specific skills and training for the operation.

As a result, e-waste from countries like United States, South Africa, Hong

Kong etc. heads to India, China and Bangladesh because computer

recycling is “good business”, with much money to be made. Computer

recycling involves employing people to strip down the computers and

extract parts that can be used again in machines to be sold on the high

street. The rest is then burned or dumped, both of which are potentially

highly hazardous to the environment. The process of extraction uses all

kinds of chemicals, like acids - which then get dumped into the soil and go

into the groundwater.

What is being done?

Government initiative

The Union Government has formed a special cell in the Ministry of

Environment and Forests, Govt. of India. The Ministry is in the process of

drawing up an action plan to contain and manage e-waste. It is also possible

that the government could impose ban on dumping electronic waste in the

country. In Delhi, the state government is planning to bring in legislation to

manage electronic waste in the capital. The legislation will make it

mandatory for industries producing electronic goods to take them back.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit asked senior officials of the government

to draw up the legislation. This law will prevent the MCD from managing

electronic waste and will instead lay the onus on the industries.

Corporate initiative

Many producers are expected to take responsibility for their products

throughout their lifecycle, under a new concept called Extended Producer

Responsibility, or EPR. According to this, Corporations assume the

liabilities associated with the final fate of their products, where companies

are now being required to phase-out a number of hazardous substances in

electronic products and take back their discarded products for recycling.

Environmental Groups Greenpeace, the Basel Action Network (BAN), Toxics

Link (India), and the Korea Zero Waste Movement Network (KZWMN) are

the major groups working on the issues of electronic waste. The report

“Scrapping the High Tech Myth: Computer Waste in India'' was the

pioneering work on e-waste in the whole of South Asia, by Toxics Link.

Purpose

Developing countries including India have also been witnessing an

unwarranted export of these toxic materials from developed countries. As

conscious consumers and citizens, it is imperative for us to be aware of

these issues. The seminar aims to sensitize stakeholders about various

issues on toxicity, discuss the policies regarding e-waste management in the

country and how corporate can partner with non-governmental

organizations for better electronic waste management practices.

XII. References:

www.scdhec.gov/recycle .

:http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?

id=13910603,

http://www.e-waste.in/about/

naturalnews.com

mineralpolicy.org

toxicslink.org

scidev.net

wikipedia.com