Archive for the 'E-Waste' Category
Proposed E-Waste Definition in India
In India, there are no specific environmental laws or guidelines for E-waste. None of the existing environmental laws have any direct reference to electronic waste or refer to its handling as hazardous in nature. However several provisions of these laws may apply to various aspects of electronic wastes. Since WEEE / E-waste or its residues fall under the category of ‘hazardous” and “non hazardous waste”, they shall be covered under the purview of “The Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2003” and “The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000”.
Respective definitions, their meaning and interpretation under these two rules are given below:
The Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2003
The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000
Source: Central Pollution Control Board
Basel Convention & OECD
Basel Convention
Basel Convention covers all discarded / disposed materials that possess hazardous characteristics as well as all wastes considered hazardous on a national basis. Annex VIII, refers to E-waste, which is considered hazardous under Art. 1, par. 1(a) of the Convention: A1180. Waste electrical and electronic assemblies or scrap containing components such as accumulators and other batteries included in list A, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes and other activated glass and PCB-capacitors, or contaminated with Annex I constituents (e.g., cadmium, mercury, lead, polychlorinated biphenyl) to an extent that they possess any of the characteristics contained in Annex III. Annex IX, contains the mirror entry, B1110 Electrical and Electronic assemblies given below:
• Electronic assemblies consisting only of metals or alloys
• Waste electrical and electronic assemblies or scrap (including printed circuit boards) not containing components such as accumulators and other batteries included on List A, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes and other activated glass and PCB-capacitors, or not contaminated with Annex 1.
OECD (2001)
WEEE / E-waste have been defined as “any appliance using an electric power supply that has reached its end-of-life.”
Basis of E-waste Definitions
Analysis of above definitions mentioned in sections before indicates that WEEE/ E-waste definition is driven by three major drivers. These drivers are given below:
1. Definition of “electrical and electronic equipment”
2. Description of its ‘loss of utility”
3. Way of disposal
“Loss of Utility” indicates variation in consumer behavior, while “Way of Disposal” broadly reflects different national policies and regulations for considering waste as “pollutant” or a ‘resource”. In other countries, the evolution of WEEE/ E-waste definition started with disposal of computers and televisions where CRT disposal is a major environmental concern. Therefore, computers and televisions were included into coverage of electronic equipment with amendments expected to include other items in future. The most widely accepted definition of WEEE/ E-waste is as per the EU directive. The major features of this definition include definition of “electrical and electronic equipment”, its classification into ten categories and its extent as per voltage rating of 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current. Electrical and electronic equipment have been further classified into “components”, “sub-assemblies” and “consumables”. In some definitions, the words “product” and “assemblies” or the phrase “product and components” are mentioned in place of “equipment”. The words “discarded”, “end of life” and “dispose/ disposal” are invariably used in definitions to describe “loss of utility” of electrical and electronic equipment. Similarly, words/ phrases “used goods”, “scrap” and “waste” are invariably used to describe “way of disposal”. These words are being used to harmonize WEEE/ E-waste with least disturbance to existing policies regulations, where sometimes it is treated separately or under hazardous or solid waste management.
Source: Central Pollution Control Board
E-waste Definition in Other Countries
E-waste definition in other countries and multilateral agencies like OECD and Basel convention has been described below:
Canada
Canada’s WEEE/ E-waste regulations are in the process of being developed at provincial level. Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia have WEEE/ E-waste regulations in lace. The WEEE/ E-waste definitions or statements as per these regulations are given below.
Alberta
Electronics Designation Regulation A.R.94/2004 published on May 12, 2004 enforced from October 1, 2004 as Appendix to Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act defines “Electronics” as all electrical and electronic equipment or devices, whether intended for consumers, industrial or commercial use, and includes, without limitation,
- Television
- Computers, laptops and notebooks, including CPUs, keyboards, mouse, cables and other components in the computer
- Computer monitors
- Computer printers, including printers that have scanning or fax capabilities, or both
- Scanners
- Audio and video playback and recording system
- Telephones and fax machines
- Cell phones or other wireless devices and
- Electronic game equipment, but does not include electronics contained within and affixed to a motor vehicle
Electronics has been defined as designated material for the purpose of Part 9, Division 1 of the Act and the “Designated Material Recycling and Management Regulation”. The term used instead of WEEE/E-waste is “Disposal of Electronics” under this regulation.
British Columbia
Schedule 3,”Electronic Product Category” was included in “British Columbia Recycling Regulation” dated October 7, 2004 as amended on February 16,2006. The electronic product category consists of “Computers” that are designed for desktop use by an individual, for desktop use as a server or to be portable, except hand held devices, “Desktop Printers” and “Televisions”. The electronic product category does not include computers and televisions that are part of or attached to vehicles, marine vessels or commercial or industrial equipment.
Computers include a computer monitor and computer peripheral. Computer peripheral means a keyboard, mouse or cable that attaches or is attached to a computer. Desktop printer means a printer that will print on paper not exceeding 8.5 inches in width but does not include a label printer.
“British Columbia Stewardship Plan for End-of-Life Electronics”, a plan formulated in response to the above regulation defines WEEE/ E-waste as “End of Life” electronics where electronics means the electronic product category mentioned above.
Nova Scotia
“Solid Waste-Resource Management Regulations” made under Section 102 of the Environment Act as amended on February 22,2007 mentions “Electronic Products Stewardship Program” in Part II. “Electronic Product” means an electrical device or electronic equipment that is a designated material. “Designated Material” has been defined as materials listed in Column 1 of Schedule “B” and includes following electronic items:
- Televisions
- Desktop, laptop and notebook computers, including CPU’s, keyboards, mice, cables and other components in the computer
- Computer monitors
- Computer printers, including printers that have scanning or fax capabilities or both
- Computer scanners
- Audio and video playback and recording systems
- Telephones and fax machines
- Cell phones and other wireless devices
“Electronic Product Stewardship Program” means a program that establishes a process for collection, transportation, reuse and recycling of electronic products and, if no further options exist, the disposal of any residual electronic product components and incorporates the principles of a pollution prevention hierarchy by replacing disposal with reuse and recycling of electronic products.
Ontario
The Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) regulation under the Waste Diversion Act, 2002 (WDA) was filed on December 14, 2004. The regulation designates seven categories of electronic and electrical equipment as waste, and targets more than 200 items that could be designated, including computers, telephones, broadcast equipment, televisions and CD players, children’s toys, power tools, lawn mowers and navigational and medical instruments. Products targeted under Ontario WEEE legislation are given in table below:
Products Designated under Ontario Legislation
| Priority Categories | List of WEEE Products |
|---|---|
| Household appliances | Air Conditioners, Clothes Dryers, Clothes Washers, Dishwashing Machines, Freezers, Refrigerators, Stoves |
| IT Equipment | CD-Rom & Disk Drives, Computers (Desktop, handheld, laptop notebook, notepad), Monitors (CRT, LCD, Plasma), PDAs, Keyboard, Mouse, Terminals, Printers, Copiers, Typewriters |
| Telecommunications Equipment | Fax/Telephone Answering Machine Modems, Pagers, Telephones (cell, cordless wire) |
| Audio- Visual Equipment | Sound Equipment, Cameras, Televisions, Media Player, Projector Recorder |
Saskatchewan
“The Waste Electronic Equipment Regulations” filed on October 13, 2005 under The Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2002, defines WEEE/ E-waste as “waste electronic equipment”, which means electronic equipment that the consumer no longer wants.
“Electronic Equipment” means any electronic equipment listed in Coumn 1 of Table 1 of these regulations. This table includes following electronic equipment:
- Personal desktop computer, including the central processing unit and all other parts contained in the computer
- Personal notebook computer, including the central processing unit and all other parts contained in the computer
- Computer monitor, including cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display and plasma,
- Computer mouse, including cables
- Computer printer including dot matrix; ink jet; laser; thermal and computer printer with scanning or facsimile capabilities or both
- Television (cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display, plasma and rear projection)
Japan
There is no specific definition of WEEE/ E-waste as defined in the regulatory system. E-waste is covered under laws to promote recycling within Japan. The two major laws covering broad range of E-waste items are “The Law for Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances (Home Appliances Recycling Law)” enacted in 1998 and “The Law for Promotion of the Effective Utilization of Resources” enacted in 2000.
In “The Law for Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances (Home Appliances Recycling Law)”, E-waste is referred as”Used Consumer Electric Goods Discarded by Consumers”. This law covers TVs, Refrigerators, Washing Machines and Air Conditioners.
In “The Law for Promotion of the Effective Utilization of Resources”, E-waste is covered under “Used goods and by-products” which have been generated and their large part is discarded. This law covers personal computers (home and office) and other electronic items. According to this law “Used goods” means any articles that are collected, used or unused, or is disposed of (except radioactive materials or those contaminated thereby). “By-product” means any articles obtained secondarily in the process of manufacturing, processing, repair or sale of the product; in the process of supply of energy; or in the process of construction pertaining to architecture and civil engineering (hereinafter referred to as “construction work”) except radioactive materials or those contaminated thereby.
USA
According to USEPA, Electronic products that are “near” or at the “end of their useful life” are referred to as “e-waste” or “e-scrap.” Recyclers prefer the term “e-scrap” since “waste” refers only to what is left after the product has been reused, recovered or recycled. However, “E-waste” is the most commonly used term.
Source: Central Pollution Control Board
Annex IA & IB: Categories & List of products of Electrical & Electronic Equipment
Categories of Electrical & Electronic Equipment Covered by this Directive:
1. Large household appliances
2. Small household appliances
3. IT and telecommunications equipment
4. Consumer equipment
5. Lighting equipment
6. Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools)
7. Toys, leisure and sports equipment
8. Medical devices (with the exception of all implanted and infected products)
9. Monitoring and control instruments
10. Automatic dispensers
List of products:
1. Large household appliances
Large cooling appliances
Refrigerators
Freezers
Other large appliances used for refrigeration, conservation and storage of food
Washing machines
Clothes dryers Read more
Guidelines on Definition of E-waste
Globally, WEEE/ E-waste are most commonly used terms for electronic waste. At UNEP web site, it is cited that “E-waste is a generic term encompassing various forms of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) that are old, end-of-life electronic appliances and have ceased to be of any value to their owners”. There is no standard definition of WEEE/ E-waste. A number of countries have come out with their own definition, interpretation and usage of the term “E-waste/WEEE”. The most widely accepted definition of WEEE/ E-waste is as per EU directive, which is followed in member countries of European Union and other countries of Europe. At first WEEE/ E-waste definition as per EU directive has been described followed by description of definitions in Canada, Japan, USA, Basel Convention and OECD. Finally, basis of definition has been analyzed followed by recommended definition in Indian regulations.
European Union
Definition as per EU directive has been described below. Countries, which have transposed this definition into their national legislation are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
WEEE Directive (EU, 2002a)
“Electrical or electronic equipment which is waste including all components, sub-assemblies and consumables, which are part of the product at the time of discarding.” Directive 75/442/EEC, Article 1(a) defines “waste” as “any substance or object which the holder disposes of or is required to dispose of pursuant to the provisions of national law in force.”
(a) ‘electrical and electronic equipment’ or ‘EEE’ means equipment which is dependent on electrical currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly and equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such current and fields falling under the categories set out in Annex IA to Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE) and designed for use with a voltage rating not exceeding 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current.
Annex IA, Categories of electrical and electronic equipment covered by this Directive:
Annex IB, List of products, which fall under the categories of Annex IA are given below:
E-waste definition in Other Countries:
Basel Convention, OECD and Basis of Definitions:
Source: Central Pollution Control Board
Hazardous Substances that can Occur in Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Hazardous Substances in WEEE
| Name | Threshold | Usage | Substance Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Chain Chloro Paraffins, Alakenes, C 10-13 | >= 0.5% | Amounts less than 1% by weight of SCCP are present in mid chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCP). | Very toxic to aquatic organisms. It may cause long term effects in the aquatic environment. |
| Antimony Trioxide | >= 0.005% | The major use is as a flame retardant synergist in plastics etc. It increasese the flame retardants effectiveness of halogenated flame retardant compounds thereby minimising their level. | Limited evidence of carcogenic effect. |
| Beryllium Metal | >= 0.005% | Chassis, rotating mirrors in laser printers; windows for X-ray generators & detectors for research & medical purposes. Benefits of use include: Low density; high stiffness; high specific heat & lightweight rigidity for precision instrumentation. | Beryllium component scrap is classified as non-hazardous in the OECD, Basel 7amp; EU Waste control systems. However, it is recommended that beryllium metal components should be segregated from equipment at end-of-life & returned to the supplier for recycling. Very toxic by inhalation. It may cause Cancer by inhalation. |
| Beryllium Oxide (Beryllia) | >= 0.005% | Used in heat sink electrical insulators for electrical & electronic systems & devices. It has the benefits of very high thermal conductivity; very high electrical resistivity; low dielectric constant; low loss factor high breakdown voltage and chemically inert. Beryllium Ceramic components should be separated from equipment at end-of-life & returned to the supplier for recycling. Beryllia components should not be passed through crushing & shredding operations without proper controls, due to the risk of dust generation. It is classified as non-hazardous in the OECD, Basel & EU Waste Control Systems. | Very toxic by inhalation and can cause Cancer. |
| Cadmium | >= 0.005% | Cadmium metal or powder may be used as part of the negative electrode material in nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries as an electrodeposited, vacuum deposited or mechanically deposited coating on iron, steel , aluminium- base materials, titanium-base alloys or other non-ferrous alloys, & as an alloying element in low-melting brazing soldering & other speciality alloys. | Very toxic. Inhalation may cause cancer. Harmful to aquatic organisms. |
| Cadmium Oxide | >= 0.005% | Cadmium oxide is utilized most often as part of the negative cadmium electrode in nickel-cadmium & some silv er-cadmium military batteries. Cadmium oxide is also part of silver-cadmium oxide (ag-CdO) electrical contact alloys. | May cause cancer by inhalation. Very toxic, if inhaled or swallowed. Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure. |
| Cadmium Sulphide | >= 0.005% | Cadmium Sulphide serves as the basis compound for a series of pigments & semiconducting compounds with a wide range of uses. Apart from that, it is used in red, orange & yellow pigments for plastics, glasses, ceramics, enamels & artists colours, cadmium sulphide is also used for phosphors in x-ray fluroscent screens, cathode ray tubes & electronic devices; smoke alarm photoreceptors; photographic exposure meters & photovoltaic energy conversion systems. | Cadmium Sulphide serves as the basis compound for a series of pigments & semiconducting compounds with a wide range of uses. Apart from that, it is used in red, orange & yellow pigments for plastics, glasses, ceramics, enamels & artists colours, cadmium sulphide is also used for phosphors in x-ray fluroscent screens, cathode ray tubes & electronic devices; smoke alarm photoreceptors; photographic exposure meters & photovoltaic energy conversion systems. |
| Chromium VI | >= 0.005% | Used as colorant in pigments (eg. lead chromate) & as corrosion inhibitor (sodium dichromate) in circulating water systems eg. absorption heat pumps & (industrial) heat exchangers in freezers & refrigerators. Chromium (VI) has historically been used by the electroics industry as an anti-corrosion treatment as well as an electrical shielding material for certain sheet metals. | Extremely toxic, if swallowed or inhaled. It can cause heritable genetic damage and can also cause Cancer. It is very toxic to aquatic organisms & may cause long term effects in the aquatic environment. |
| Copper Beryllium Alloys | >= 0.005% | Used in electrical connector terminations; switch components; relay springs; electromagnetic radiation seals. | Components in end-of-life electrical equipment can be recycled as part of the general copper recycle stream. There is generally no need for component extraction prior to equipment recycling and is toxic, if inhaled. |
| Decabromodiphenylether | >= 0.005% | Used as a flame retardant in electrical & electronic plastics. | Potential for forming brominated dibenzodioxins or furans (PBDD/F) in uncontrolled thermal processes, & possibility that higher PBDEs could debrominate to for the tetra & penta BDEs found in marine environment food chain. |
| Lead | >= 0.5% | Used in batteries, solders, alloying element for machining metals, printed circuit boards, components, incandescent light bulbs & weighting. | Processing of metallic lead may give rise to lead compounds, which are all, classified as dangerous substances. The land filling of WEEE has given rise to lead compounds, which are all classified as dangerous substances. The land filling of WEEE has given rise to concerns over possible leaching of lead into the envrionment. |
| Lead Oxide | >= 0.5% | Occurs in leaded glass in cathode ray tubes, light bulbs & photocopier plastes. Lead oxide are also used in batteries. | Harmful if inhaled/swallowed. May cause harm to the unborm child. |
| Liquid Crystals: Commercially available liquid crystals (LC) are mixtures of 10 to 20 substances, which belong to th group of substituted phenycyclohexanes alkylbenzenes & cyclohexylbenzens. The chemical substances contain oxygen, fluorine, hydrogen & carbon. About 250 chemical substances are used for formulating more than thousand marketed liquid crystals. | Liquid crystal mixture are used as electroactive layer in liquid crystal display (LCD). Today LCDs are a widely used components in electric & electronic (E&E) products like mobile phones, notebooks, automative displays, electronic games, PC monitors etc. | Press articles claiming that LCDs contain carcinogenic azo-dyes. Toxicological studies on a large number of single liquid crystals have been performed accordinf to OECD guidelines & EU regulation. So far no indications of carcinogenic potential & actute oral toxicity have been found. | |
| Mercury | >= 0.005% | It is estimated that 22% of the world yearly consumption of mercury is used in electrical & electronic equipment. It is basically used in thermostats, (position) sensors, relays & switches (eg. on printe circuit boards & in measuring equipment) & discharge lamps. It is used in data transmission, telecommunications, mobile phone batteries and certain lightsources. | Very toxic to aquatic organisms & may cause long term effects in the aquatic environment. It mainly affects the central nervous system (CNS ) as well as the kidney in humans and is thus, toxic, if inhaled. |
| Mineral Wool: (Man-made vitreous (silicate) fibers with random orientation with alkaline oxide & alkali earth oxide | It irritates skin. But ther is limited evidence of carcinogenic effect. | ||
| Octabromodiphenylether | >= 0.005% | Flame retardant in plastics used for electrical & electronic equipment. | Possible risk of harm to the unborn child. |
| Polychlorobiphenyls: The level of 50mg/Kg (0.005%) should be the defining threshold concentration for wastes containing PCBs & PCTs: above that concentration such waste shoulod be considered hazardous | >= 0.005% | PCBs were very extensively used in electrical equipment such as capacitors & transformers. Small capacitors include motor start capacitors and ballast capacitors. Motor start capacitors are used with single phase motors to provide starting torque; these capacitors can be found also in household electrical appliances including refrigerators, cookers, washing machines, air conditioners, dishwashers. Ballast capacitors are found within fluroscent, mercury & sodium lighting fixtures & neon lights. | Very toxic to aquatic organisms & may cause long term effects in the aquatic environment. |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | >= 0.5% | As with any material containing chlorine, potential for forming dioxins & furans in case of uncontrolled buning is there. Liberation of HCL gas during combustion. Recent health/environmental concerns have been raised about some additives used in PVC processing i.e. . Heavy metals used as stabilizers . Phthalate plasticizers, although these have been used for more than 40 years without any measurable impact on health & environment. | |
| Refractory Ceramic Fibers: [Man-made vitreous (silicate) fibers with random orientation with alkaline oxide & alkali earth oxide] | It causes irritation to the skin and may cause cancer, if inhaled. | ||
| Tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA). It is the largest volume brominated flame retardant in production today. it is used as a reactive (primary use) or additive flame retardant in polymers, such as ABS, epoxy & poly-carbonate resins, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), phenolic resins, adhesives & others. Its main use in E & E equipmen is as a reactive flame retardant in printed writing boTetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA). It is the largest volume brominated flame retardant in production today. it is used as a reactive (primary use) or additive flame retardant in polymers, such as ABS, epoxy & poly-carbonate resins, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), phenolic resins, adhesives & others. Its main use in E & E equipmen is as a reactive flame retardant in printed writing boards. | >= 0.005% | Perception of potential to form brominated dioxins & furans in thermal processes. . Perception of potential for endocrine modulating effect (hormone disrupter). . The whole substance group of BFRs is listed in general on the Danish list of ‘unwanted substances’. |
Source: Central Pollution Control Board
Guidelines for Assessment of Hazardousness of E-waste:
Guidelines for assessment of hazardousness of E-waste have been described in terms of basis, rational and approach and methodology.
Basis
Assessment of hazardousness of E-waste or its component has been carried out based on Indian environmental regulations on hazardous waste, “The hazardous waste (Management and handling) Rules 2003”.
A number of global publications have mentioned that the scope of EU’s WEEE directives and RoHS is narrow with respect to description of hazardous ness of WEEE. Therefore, the Indian regulation has been taken as basis of determining hazardous ness of E-waste, where Schedule 1 lists hazardous waste similar to ‘absolute” entry (irrespective of concentration) in “European Waste Catalogue” and Schedule 2 lists hazardous waste similar to “ mirror” entry 9Greater than or equal to the threshold limit value in “European Waste Catalogue”.
Approach and Methodology
The approach and methodology to determine the hazardousness has been described in following steps as shown in figure 2.1. This approach follows the approach used by “ Department for Environment, Food and Natural Affairs”, Government of United Kingdom to classify E-waste. However, it has been customized as per Indian situation.
Step 1: Identify the E-waste category item
The identification includes the E-waste items and its tentative year of manufacture. The year of manufacture gives a number of information ex. Technology and likely component present in the E-waste.
Step 2: Identify the E-waste composition or determine it
The identification of E-waste composition or its components can be determined by its year of manufacture. Ideally, industry association should maintain record of “Electrical and Electronic Equipment” composition, which should be regularly updated to facilitate its treatment, once it becomes E-waste. In case of doubt, carry out testing of E-waste to find out the concentration.
Step 3: Identify possible hazardous content in E-waste
If the E-waste has hazardous content, then refer schedule 1 and schedule 2 to check its coverage under, “The hazardous waste (Management and handling) Rules 2003”. Hazardous substances that can occur in E-waste as per this notification are given in table 2.4. A comparison of thresholds of hazardous substances followed in Europe with respect to that mentioned in Indian regulations, which may occur in E-waste, is given in table 2.5.
Step 4: Identify, whether the E-waste component is hazardous or the entire E-waste item is hazardous.
The determination of hazardousness of E-waste from washing machine, refrigerator, computer monitor and personal computer is given in appendix 1. The contents of these E-waste items have been taken from the data of globally accepted data of industry associations.
It can be concluded that E-waste generated from televisions, monitors and personal computers is hazardous in nature as per schedule 1 and schedule 2 of “The hazardous waste (Management and handling) Rules 2003”. A comparison of the thresholds mentioned in Indian regulations with that of thresholds followed in Europe for E-waste shows that they are stricter. It can also be inferred that E-waste/ components, which are hazardous in nature need to be covered under the purview of “The hazardous waste (Management and handling) Rules 2003”, The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001, The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and those which are non-hazardous in nature need to come under The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.
Source: Central Pollution Control Board
Composition of E-waste:
Composition of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) /E-waste is very diverse and differs in products across different categories. It contains more than 1000 different substances, which fall under “hazardous” and “non-hazardous” categories. Broadly, it consists of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, glass, wood & plywood, printed circuit boards, concrete and ceramics, rubber and other items.
Categories of E-waste
E-waste has been categorized into three main categories:
1. Large Household Appliances
2. IT and Telecom
3. Consumer Equipment
Refrigerator and Washing Machine represent large household appliances, Personal Computer, Monitor and Laptop represent IT and Telecom, while Television represents Consumer Equipment. Each of these E-waste items has been classified with respect to twenty six common components, which could be found in them.
E-Waste- Indian Scenario & the Need for Environmentally Sound Management
E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. In developed countries, currently, it equals 1% of total solid waste generation and is expected to grow to 2% by 2010. In USA, it accounts 1% to 3% of the total municipal waste generation. In EU, historically, E-waste is growing three times faster than average annual municipal solid waste generation. A recent source estimates that total amount of E-waste generation in EU ranges from 5 to 7 million tonnes per annum or about 14 to 15 kg per capita and is expected to grow at a rate of 3% to 5% per year. In developing countries, it ranges 0.01% to 1% of the total municipal solid waste generation.
