Definition:

E-waste is any electrical or electronic equipment that’s been discarded. This includes working and broken items that are thrown in the garbage or donated to a charity reseller like Goodwill. Often, if the item goes unsold in the store, it will be thrown away. E-waste is particularly dangerous due to toxic chemicals that naturally leach from the metals inside when buried.

Types of E-waste:

1. Home Appliances

2. Communications and Information Technology Devices

3. Home Entertainment Devices

4. Electronic Utilities

5. Office and Medical Equipment

The Dangers of E-waste

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health risks may result from direct contact with toxic materials that leach from e-waste. These include minerals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants, or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Danger can come from inhalation of the toxic fumes, as well as from the accumulation of chemicals in soil, water, and food.

This puts not just people in danger but land and sea animals as well. In developing countries, the risks are exceptionally high because some developed countries send their e-waste there. Studies have shown this global e-waste has detrimental effects on the people that work with the e-waste but also the people that live around it.

Because of this, a proper recycling process needs to be put in place to protect us and future generations.

How big the E-waste problem is:

The Global E-Waste Monitor 2020 shows that consumers discarded 53.6 million tonnes worth of electronics in 2019 globally, up 20 percent in 5 years. India generated 3.2 million tonnes of e-waste last year, ranking third after China (10.1 million tonnes) and the United States (6.9 million tonnes)

How to manage E-waste:

• Re-evaluate. Do you really need that extra gadget? Try finding one device with multiple functions.
• Extend the life of your electronics. Buy a case, keep your device clean, and avoid overcharging the battery. 
• Buy environmentally friendly electronics. Look for products labelled Energy Star or certified by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
• Donate used electronics to social programs—and help victims of domestic violence, children safety initiatives, environmental causes, and more. Ask your student REP for a postage paid mailer for your cell phone or ink cartridge. For each item received, the World Wildlife Fund will receive one dollar.
• Reuse large electronics.
• Recycle electronics and batteries in e-waste recycling bins located around campus.  Large electronics can go in the larger bins found in your building.

LAWS AND REGULATION

The E-Waste Management Rules 2016 have been amended vide notification G.S.R. 261(E), dated March 22, 2018. ... The phase-wise collection targets for e-waste in weight shall be 10% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in the EPR Plan during 2017-18, with a 10% increase every year until 2023.

E-SAFE INDIA:

E-safe India is an initiative taken by Techniqa Info Solutions with E-Frontline Recycling Pvt Ltd. To reduce, reuse and recycle the Various E-waste. For more details please visit www.e-frontline.com