These electronic scrap and electronic waste disposal can be dangerous for our environment and ecosphere. It can create serious imbalances needing immediate attention. Today, e-waste is a serious problem as every year one person in average buys 4 to 5 new electronic items. The old one are replaced and thrown away.
So, the world is becoming a dumping ground of old, end- of - life electronic gadgets, appliances, and devices. It is the world’s fastest growing waste segment, and can bring devastation to human civilization and other living beings as per “Electronic Waste Management in India".
Challenges of E-Waste:
Today, waste, scrap, and dump has got a new name e - waste. E-Waste means electronic waste; in other words waste, which are accumulated from old, irreparable, and damaged electronics. The old, irreparable, and damaged electronics are often thrown in open, dumped, and no regulation is followed.
Today, waste, scrap, and dump has got a new name e - waste. E-Waste means electronic waste; in other words waste, which are accumulated from old, irreparable, and damaged electronics. The old, irreparable, and damaged electronics are often thrown in open, dumped, and no regulation is followed.
- Note: The real challenge comes from dumping them in open land, using them to landfills, throwing them in swampy or damp or watery areas, and burning them in open.
The challenges are it can lead to land pollution, water pollution, and air pollution.
The land pollution will obviously make the land unfit for plantation or cultivation. It will also poison the ground water level.
The water pollution from e-waste is considered to be the dangerous, as electronic items may consider lead or mercury. If the mercury or lead spill into the water body it may contaminate it. It can end the marine life, make the water unfit for drinking or other purpose, and even prove harmful or fatal for animals or birds.
The air pollution from e-waste can spread poisonous gas in the atmosphere. It will fasten global warming, greenhouse effect, and make the air unfit for respiration. It will lead to respiratory disease in humans and animals.
E-Waste Recycling in Mumbai Provided a List of Electronics Contributing to E-Waste:
- Cell phones
- Smartphones
- PDAs
- Pagers
- Computer monitors
- Computers/CPUs
- Laptop computers
- Photocopiers
- Printers
- Scanners
- Fax machines
- Stereos
- Radios
- MP3 players (or iPods)
- Landline telephones
- DVDs
- Televisions (Tube, plasma, and LCD, LED)
- VCRs
- Cameras
- CD players
- Video game consoles
- All smart devices (iPhones, iPads, iWatches, Fitbits, Kindles, Nooks, Amazon Fire Tablet, etc.)
- Virtual Reality (VR) gear
- Virtual Assistants (Amazon Echo, Google Home, etc.)
- Electric scooters
- Portable speakers
- Security cameras
- Roombas
- Professional and personal drones
- Projectors
- Modems and routers
- GPS Devices
- Smart bathroom scales
- Some thermostats
