E-Waste: A New Environmental Challenge for India

Abstract

Electronic waste may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and refrigerators. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal. Because loads of surplus electronics are frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and nonrecyclable), several public policy advocates apply the term "e-waste" broadly to all surplus electronics. Over the past decades, the global market of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) continues to grow exponentially, while the lifespan of those products becomes shorter and shorter. Therefore, business and waste management officials are facing a new challenge, and e-Waste or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is receiving considerable amount of attention from policy makers. In this paper an approach is made towards assessing the present situation of ewaste management globally as well as in India, considering the present regulations and guidelines. It is also a fact that major part of recycling of e-waste is being handled by informal sector who have little/no knowledge about the consequences of exposure to hazardous substances.