E-Waste Management (Solid Waste Management) Unit V: Mr.T.Vamsi, Assistant Professor, BVRIT, Narsapur
E-Waste Management (Solid Waste Management) Unit V: Mr.T.Vamsi, Assistant Professor, BVRIT, Narsapur
E-Waste Management (Solid Waste Management) Unit V: Mr.T.Vamsi, Assistant Professor, BVRIT, Narsapur
UNIT V
Components / Parts of Mobile Phone: The various components / parts of mobile phones are
as follows. Lens, internal antenna, aerial, speakers, earpiece, microphone, microphone
connectors, loud speakers, buzzers, ringers, charging blocks, system connectors, chassis,
slide mechanism, ribbon cables, sim slot covers, readers, backup, battery, battery clip, covers,
battery contacts, connectors and kea pad membrane etc.
Need of E-Waste Management
E-waste is much more hazardous than many other municipal wastes because electronic
gadgets contain thousands of components made of deadly chemicals and metals like lead,
cadmium, chromium, mercury, polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), brominated flame retardants,
beryllium, antimony and phthalates. Long-term exposure to these substances damages the
nervous systems, kidney, bones, reproductive and endocrine systems. Some of them are
carcinogenic and neurotoxic.
Pollutants in E-Waste
Impact of hazardous substances on
health and environment
Characteristics of E-Waste
E-waste contains both hazardous and non-hazardous substances in their components.
These hazardous substances like plastic, lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic etc. pose health
hazards on the human being to the most when treated in uncontrolled condition via air, water
and soil.
Radioactive Waste Management
Radioactive waste, also known as nuclear waste, is a byproduct from fuel processing plants, hospitals and
research facilities, however, it is most commonly associated with nuclear reactors and the processes of
fission within nuclear reactors, along with the decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear reactors and
other nuclear facilities.
Low-level radioactive waste, such as contaminated gloves, can be disposed of in landfill sites.
Higher level waste, which may be dangerously radioactive, is more difficult to dispose of. It can be
reprocessed to extract nuclear fuel or encased in glass and left deep underground.
E-Waste Disposal Methods
1. Landfilling
This is the most common methodology of e-waste disposal. Soil is excavated and trenches are
made for burying the e-waste in it. An impervious liner is made of clay or plastic with a leachate
basin for collection and transferring the e-waste to the treatment plant. However, landfill is not
an environmentally sound process for disposing off the e-waste as toxic substances like
cadmium, lead and mercury are released inside the soil and ground water.
2. Acid Bath:
Acid bath involves soaking of the electronic circuits in the powerful sulphuric, hydrochloric or
nitric acid solutions that free the metals from the electronic pathways. The recovered metal is
used in the manufacturing of other products while the hazardous acid waste finds its ways in
the local water sources.
E-Waste Disposal Methods
3. Incineration
This is a controlled way of disposing off the e-waste and it involves combustion of electronic
waste at high temperature in specially designed incinerators. This e-waste disposal method is
quite advantageous as the waste volume is reduced extremely much and the energy obtained
is also utilized separately. However, it is also not free from disadvantages with the emission of
the harmful gases mercury and cadmium in the environment
4. Recycling of e-waste
Mobile phones, monitors, CPUs, floppy drives, laptops, keyboards, cables and connecting
wires can be re-utilized with the help of the recycling process. It involves dismantling of the
electronic device, separation of the parts having hazardous substances like CRT, printed circuit
boards etc. and then recovery of the precious metals like copper, gold or lead can be done with
the help of the efficient a powerful e-waste recycler. The most crucial thing here is choosing the
right kind of recycler that does not break laws and handle the e-waste in the eco-friendly
manner.
E-Waste Disposal Methods
5. Reuse of electronic devices
This is the most desirable e-waste recycling process where with slight modifications the mobile
phones, computers, laptops, printers can be reused or given as second hand product to the
other person. The old electronic equipment can also be donated in the various charity programs
and thus helping the persons in need. Moreover, there is a better way also by selling the old
mobile phones or laptops to the some recycling and refurbishing companies. Several websites
are acting as the middleman between recyclers and electronic users. It is a win-win situation for
the users as they not only get rid off the old mobile phones but also get paid after reselling it.