SEMINAR ON

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

SUBMITTED TO: - SUBMITTED BY: -

Ms. Charu. Ms.Monu Malik.

Roll No: -1202320.

SETH JAI PARKASH MUKAND LAL INSTITUTE OF ENGG. AND TECHNOLOGY.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I convey my special thanks to Ms.Charu for giving me support from

time to time and providing me various facilities during my Seminar.

I express my immense gratitude to Mr.Rakesh Garg, Head of

Department and other senior members of the Department for their

endless contribution and cooperation during the course of formulation

of my Seminar.

Finally, I gratefully acknowledge the support, encouragement and

patience of the other teachers of my Department.

INDEX

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Chapter - 1

Introduction To E - Waste.

Chapter – 2

Root of the Problem.

Chapter – 3

Indian Scenario.

Chapter – 4

Management of E – Waste.

Chapter – 5

Role of Government.

Chapter – 6

Responsibility of Industries.

Chapter – 7

Role of Citizens.

Chapter – 8

Future Aspects.

Chapter – 9

Bibliography

Chapter – 10

Slides.

Chapter 1

3

INTRODUCTION TO E- WASTE

E-waste means ---- The electronic waste or the electronic products

nearing the end of their useful life. For e.g: - Discarded Computers,

VCR’s, Stereos, Walkman, Copiers, Fax- Machines, electric Lamps,

Cell Phones etc.

Each year millions of computers and computer related components

are purchased to replace the equipments that have been superseded

by faster and more powerful technology. . Unfortunately, however,

most old computing equipments end up at the tips. This is despite the

mounting evidences that some components like: Cathode Ray Tube

(CRT) monitors--- contains high-level toxic materials that need to be

disposed off more responsibly.

Chapter 2

4

ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

E- Wastes are considered dangerous as certain components of some

products contains materials that are hazardous, depending on their

condition and density. The hazardous contents of these materials

pose a threat to human life and to environment.

The obsolete technology contains hazardous materials like: - Lead,

Mercury, Cadmium, and Arsenic, which pose great threat to Human

kind. Even small quantities of lead can cause brain damage in babies

and other diseases related to the nervous system, Kidney and Blood

system.

Chapter 3

5

INDIAN SCENARIO

A recent investigation revealed that much of the electronics turned

over for recycling in the U.S.A. ends up in Asia where they are either

disposed off or recycled with little or no regard for the environment or

workers health and safety. The major reasons of such exports are:-

Cheap Labour, Lack of Environmental and Occupational Standards in

this way the toxic effluents of the Developed Nations would flood

towards the worlds’ poorest Nations.

Now, the discarded electronics items are being recycled with

recyclers digging into the chip for GOLD and PLATINUM. Lots of

hazardous chemicals are being used which are heavy metals also

chemicals like Cyanide for extraction of GOLD. This is the reason

why it is to be lucrative.

In each Computer, according to an estimate, there is 5gms of GOLD

which can be recovered and in Bangalore alone; from 20 recovery

units, 2.5 crores worth Gold is being recovered annually. Actually, the

quantity of gold available in a Computer is much more than that of the

quantity available in regular mines.

Chapter 4

6

MANAGEMENT OF E-WASTE

Having discussed the meaning, problem and need for E-waste

management we can now shift our focus upon the ways and

strategies that can be adopted for managing this “DORMANT

VOLCANO” named E-Waste.

It is estimated that 75% of electronic items are stored due to

uncertainty of how to manage it. These electronic junks lie

unattended in storehouses, offices etc. Later on, they get easily

mixed with household wastes, which are finally disposed off as

landfills. Hence, become this waste properly and scientifically.

The focal point should be the industries generating e-wastes. The

generation point by pointing by adopting waste minimization

techniques as follows: -

Inventory Management.

Productive –Process Modification.

Source Segregation.

Waste Concentration.

Volume Reduction.

Recovery and Reuse.

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Inventory Management: -

Proper control over the materials used in manufacturing process is an

important way to reduce waste generation. By reducing both the

quantity of hazardous materials used in the process and the amount

of excess raw materials in the stock the quantity of waste generated

can be reduced in two ways: -

All materials be approved prior to purchase and evaluated.

Ensure that only the needed quantity is ordered.

Production Process Modification: -

In this step, reduction in waste generation can be accomplished by

changing the materials used to make the products or by the more

efficient use of input materials in the production process or both.

Improvement in the operation and maintenance of process equipment

can result in significant waste reduction, which can be accomplished

by reviewing current operational procedures or lack of procedures.

Volume Reduction: -

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To include these techniques that removes the hazardous portion of a

waste from a non- hazardous portion. These techniques are usually

to reduce the volume and thus cast of disposing of a waste material.

The technique that can be used to reduce waste stream volume can

de divided into two general categories: -

Source Segregation: - It is a simple and economical

technique. Wastes containing different types of metals can be

treated separately so that the metal value in sludge can be

recovered.

Waste Concentration: - It may increase he livelihood that the

material can be recycled, using techniques like - GRAVITY

VACCUM, FILTERATION AND REVERSE OSMOSIS.

Recovery and Reuse: -

This technique could eliminate wastes disposals costs, reduce raw

materials costs, and provide income from saleable wastes. Wastes

can be recovered on site or at off site recovery facility, or through

inter- industrial exchange.

Chapter 5

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ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

Govt.should set up regulatory agencies in each district, which

are vested with the responsibility of coordinating and

consolidating the regulatory functions of various authorities

regarding hazardous substances.

Existing laws regarding disposal of e-wastes should be

revamped.

Govt. is responsible for providing adequate system of laws,

controls and administration procedure for hazardous waste

management.

Research and Development activities must be encouraged,

standard of hazardous waste management; environment

monitoring should also be taken care of.

Proper support should be given to the NGO’s and other

organization to involve actively in solving the Nations’ e-waste

problems.

Chapter 6

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RESPONSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIES

Generators of e-wastes should take responsibility to determine

the output characteristics of wastes, if hazardous, should

provide management option.

All personnel’s involved in handling e-waste in industries

including those at the policy, management, control and

operational level should be properly qualified and trained.

Companies can adopt some of the following policies while

handling e-wastes:

Use label materials to assist in recycling particularly plastics.

Standardize components for easy disassembly.

Re-evaluate”” Cheap products” use makes products-cycle

cheap so that it has no inherent value that would encourage

a recycling infrastructure.

Create computer components and peripherals of

biodegradable materials.

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Utilize technology sharing particularly for manufacturing and

remanufacturing.

Encourage/promote/require green procurement for corporate

buyers.

Loot at green packaging option.

They should spread awareness among consumers regarding

potential threat to public health and the environment posed

by their products.

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Chapter 7

CITIZEN’S ROLE

Most important idea is of preventing wastes rather than

managing wastes.

What can be done here to prevent wastes is ---- the electronics can

be donated for reuse and for extending the lives of valuable products.

But these products should should be in working condition before hey

are donated. Reuse also benefits society. Donation of such articles to

low-income families, school etc, who can ill afford to buy them; will

surely be a philanthropic act.

E- wastes should never be disposed with garbage and other

household wastes. This should be segregated at the site and sold or

donated to various organizations.

NGO’s should adopt a participatory approach.

While buying e-products, care should be taken if they are made

with fewer toxic constituents, are energy efficient, utilization of

minimal packaging is there after leasing or take back option and

if they are certified.

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E-WASTES: CONTITUENTS AND

CONSEQUENCES

Sources of E-

Wastes

Constituents Health Effects

Solder in printed

circuits boards, glass

panels and gaskets in

Computer Monitor.

Lead (Pb) Damage to Central,

peripherals nervous

system, and blood-

system and Kidney

damage.

Chip resistors and

Semi Conductors

Cadmium (Cd) Toxic irreversible

effects on human

health. Accumulates

in Kidney and Liver.

Causes neural

damage Teratogenis.

Relays and Switches

printed circuit boards.

Mercury (Hg) Chronic damage to

the brain.

Respiratory, skin

disorders due to

bioaccumulations

fish.

Corrosion protection

of untreated and

Hexavalent

Chromium (Cr)

Asthmatic Bronchitis

DNA damages.

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galvanized steel

plates, decorators or

hardener of steel

housing

Cabling and

Computer Housing

Plastics including

PVC

Reproductive and

Development mental

problems.

Immune systems

damage

Interfere with

regulatory Hormones

Chapter 8

15

FUTURE ASPECTS

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In the final analysis, E-Wastes has reached critical proportions in the

west, leading to stronger laws. This is still to be done in our country

where there is no strong agency to combat e-wastes’ tides. With the

estimated number of PC’s in India, touching up to 80 million by the

year 2008, its high time we plan by for the management and

prevention of this tide of e- garbage, well in advance. Not only will it

save some anticipated disaster but will also show us a way to tackle

this menace.

Chapter 9

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chronicle.

India Today.

Frontline.

Readers’ Digest.

Chapter 10

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