RNS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Channasandra, Bengaluru - 560 098

APPLIED CHEMISTRY (BCHES102)

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
Module-5
 Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

Syllabus: Introduction, sources of e-waste, Composition, Characteristics, and Need of e-waste

management. E - waste. Toxic materials used in manufacturing electronic and electrical
products, health hazards due to exposure to e-waste, recycling and recovery, different
approaches of recycling (separation, Thermal treatments, hydrometallurgical extraction,
pyrometallurgical methods, direct recycling). Extraction of gold from E-waste. Role of stake
holders in environmental management of e-waste (producers, consumers, recyclers, and
statutory bodies).

Self -Learning Topics: Impact of heavy metals on environment and human health.

INTRODUCTION

In the new world of materials, usage of electrical and electronic items has been increasing
rapidly year by year. These materials have lesser life span and also used for lesser duration due
to fast change in features and the capabilities. All these electric and electronic items which are
discarded on completion of their use comprises e -wastes. Today’s electronics gadgets,
Tomorrows e-waste. India is 5th largest producer of e-waste

All items of electronics and electrical equipments/devices and its parts that have been
discarded by the uses as waste without the purpose of re-use is considered as e-waste.

SOURCES

Main sources of e-waste are:

1. Computer peripherals: Monitor, keyboard, mouse, motherboard, laptops, DVDs, CDs,

pendrives, printers, scanners etc.,
2. Household appliances: TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, radios,
microwave ovens, dish washer, etc.,
3. Industrial electronics: Sensors, medical devices (X-ray machines, MRI scanners, ultrasound
machines, dialysis unit) automobile devices, etc.,
4. Telecommunication devices: Telephone, cell phones, tablets, chargers, routers, pagers, fax
machine, etc.,
5. Electrical devices: Batteries, switches, wires, tube lights, bulbs etc.,

2
 Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

COMPOSITION

E-waste has become a diverse and complex nature of waste having both hazardous and non-
hazardous ingredients.

1. It contains about 65-67% of iron and steel and other metallic materials including costly
metals like Pt, Au, Cu, Ag and toxic metals like Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, etc.,
2. E-waste contains about 20-22% of polymeric non-biodegradable materials including PVCs,
ABS tripolymer, Polycarbonate (PC), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), brominated flame-
retardant plastics, rubbers
3. E-waste also contains about 12-13.2% of CRT and LCD screens and other materials like
glass, wood, plywood and ceramics in traces.

TOXIC MATERIALS USED IN MANUFACTURING ELECTRONIC AND

ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

According to toxicity, the types of substances in e-waste can be categorized into hazardous
and non-hazardous substances. Hazardous substances are toxic, and can affect the quality of
the ecosystem and can have detrimental effects on human health. These include:

 Heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Pb and Hg.

 Organic compounds like chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and
polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin furans (PCDDFs).

HEALTH HAZARDS DUE TO EXPOSURE TO E-WASTE

Toxic materials Sources Health hazards

Lead Batteries, solder in  Cause damage to central and peripheral
printed circuit board, nervous system, blood system and kidney.
glass panels, gaskets in  It is a neurotoxin affects badly on child
computer monitors brain development, IQ deficiency,
casing, transistors, circulatory system and kidney.
lasers, LEDs,  Long term exposure can damage
reproductive system and affect nervous
system of young children.

3
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

Cadmium Rechargeable batteries,  Irreversible toxic effects on kidney and

chip resistors, CRT lungs.
screens, printed circuit  Chronic damage to kidney and soften
boards (PCBs), bones.
semiconductors,  Accumulates in kidney and liver.
pigments,  Being carcinogenic causes lung cancer and
Itai-Itai disease, which causes severe pain
in the joints and spine.
 Pulmonary damage.
 Irreversible damage to neural system.
 It disrupts calcium mechanism, causing
hypertension and heart disease.
Mercury Batteries in clocks and  Cause chronic damage to brain.
pocket calculators,  Cause respiratory and skin disorders.
switches, LCDs, PCBs,  Affects the central nervous system, kidney
and immune system.
 It impairs foetus growth and harm the
infants through mother’s milk.
 It bioaccumulates in fishes and affect food
chain.
Chromium Corrosion protectant in  Inhaling hexavalent chromium can damage
galvanised steel parts, to liver and kidney.
dyes or pigments,  Affects DNA and cause lung cancer.
switches, solar panels,  Cause bronchial maladies including
decorator or hardener asthmatic bronchitis.
for steel casing,
Beryllium Switch boards, circuit  It is carcinogenic in nature, causes lung
mother boards, cancer.
 Inhalation causes chronic disease in lungs
called berylliosis.

4
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

 Exposure to fumes causes skin disease

characterised by poor wound healing and
wart like lumps.
Barium Electron tubes, filler of  Short term exposure can lead to brain
plastic and rubber, swelling, muscle weakness, damage to
lubricant additives, heart, liver and spleen.
 Long term exposure leads to increased
blood pressure, change in heart beat rate.
Arsenic Semiconductor, diodes,  Causes various skin diseases.
microwave oven, LEDs,  Chronic damage to lung causing cancer
solar cells, and can be fatal.
 Decreased response, as nerves are affected.
Antimony Semiconductors, flame  It is toxic causing dermatitis.
retardant fillers in  Affects skin cells, respiratory tract and
plastics, immune system.
 Stated as possible carcinogenic
Brominated Casing, circuit board,  Combustion of halogenated case material
Flame retardants PVC cables, and printed circuit wiring boards releases
toxic emissions including dioxins which
can lead to severe hormonal disorders,
disrupts endocrine system function in
animals and human beings.
Cobalt Insulators  Accumulation leads to toxicity in liver,
kidney, pancreas, heart, skeleton and
skeletal muscle.
 Produce tumours in animals and is likely
carcinogenic as well.
Copper Conducting wires,  Short term exposure causes nausea,
solenoids, coils, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps.
transistors, pigments,  Accumulation causes liver damage
PCBs, (Wilson’s disease), kidney damage and can
be fatal.

5
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

Lithium Batteries, photographic  Corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory

equipment, tracts.
 Inhalation causes lung oedema.
Nickel Alloys, batteries, relay  It is carcinogenic, causes asthma and
switches, chronic bronchitis.
semiconductors,  Long term exposure causes lung cancer,
pigments nose cancer and prostate cancer.
Polychlorinated Transformers,  Causes number of serious non cancer
biphenyls capacitors, glue, health effects in animals.
(PCBs) softening agent in  Affect immune system, reproductive
plastics and paints, system, nervous system, endocrine system
and other health hazards.

PVCs and Circuit boards, cabinets,  It is carcinogenic, can harm reproductive

Plastics cable wires, and immune system.
 Burning PVCs produces dioxins which is
harmful.
 BFR can leach into landfills.
CFCs Cooling units,  It is harmful to environment, depletes
insulating foam ozone layer.
 This results in increased incidents of skin
cancer in human and genetic damage in
many organisms.
Selenium Photoelectric cells,  Exposure to high concentrations cause
photocopy and fax selenosis, leading hair loss, nail brittleness
machines as pigments, and neurological abnormalities (such as
LEDs numbness and other odd sensation in the
extremities).

6
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

NEED OF E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

E-waste management is necessary because it helps to address several environmental, health,

and resource-related concerns, including:
• Protecting the environment: E-waste contains toxic substances, such as lead, mercury, and
cadmium that can have harmful effects on the environment and human health if not properly
managed.
• Conserving resources: E-waste contains valuable resources, such as metals, that can be
recovered and reused through proper recycling.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The production of new electronic products releases
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. Proper recycling and disposal
of e-waste can reduce the environmental impact of electronic products.
• Reducing landfilling: Landfilling of electronic waste can result in the release of toxic
materials into the environment and contribute to soil and water pollution.
• Protecting public health: Improper handling and disposal of e-waste can expose workers
and the general public to hazardous materials and cause serious health problems.

 E-waste can be toxic, is not biodegradable and accumulates in the environment, in the soil,
air, water and living things.
 Causes air pollution, Soil pollution and water pollution.
 Electronic Recycling Promotes Soil Fertility and Maintain Nutrient.
 E-waste management programs aim to promote responsible recycling and disposal of
electronic waste and minimize the release of hazardous materials into the environment. This
helps to protect the environment, conserve resources, and promote public health and safety.

RECYCLING AND RECOVERY OF E-WASTE

In e-waste, among various constituents, metals contribute to the significant economic value
and effects are focused on extracting those metals during recycling operation.

Recovery and Recycling Technologies

The recycling of e-waste is initiated with physical or mechanical processes.

 Dismantling and separation of components: This involves physical removal of toxic

materials and unwanted components.
 Mechanical crushing and grinding: To collect the fragments of metal bearing
components
 Electrical & Magnetic Separation: The above obtained fragment is passed through
electrical to separate metallic and non-metallic components and then through magnetic
separator to separate ferrous metals from non-ferrous.
 Gravity Separation: It is used to separate the Al metals.

7
 Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

The most widely used chemical techniques for metal recovery are:

1) Pyrometallurgical process
2) Hydrometallurgical process

PYROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS:

Pyrometallurgical technology is used to extract pure non-ferrous and precious metals from
e-waste. Smelting, combustion, pyrolysis and molten salt processes are the main
pyrometallurgical methods employed. These methods are briefly explained below:

a) Smelting:
 The processed scrap after preliminary stage contains mainly Cu, Pb, Sn, Sb, Zn, As, Hg, Cd
and precious metals as metallic constituents. This mixture is fed into the copper smelters.
 During smelting, Pb, Sn, Sb, and precious metals are collected in the copper parent phase.
This is casted into anode slabs and refined by electrometallurgy
 The anode is dissolved and 99.99% pure Cu is deposited over cathode leaving a slurry
residue, called anodic slime.
 Anodic slime is rich in valuable metals like Au, Ag, Pt, Pb, Sn & Sb. These metals are
recovered from slurry using hydrometallurgical techniques.

ELECTRONIC WASTE

MULTISTAGE CRUSHING

ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION NON-METALLIC FRACTIONS

MAGNETIC SEPARATION FERROUS METALS

PRECIOUS METALS
GRAVITY SEPARATION ALUMINIUM

NON-FERROUS METAL COPPER ANODE SLIME

FRACTIONS

COPPER SMELTERS ANODE PLATES ELECTROREFINING

8
 Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

b) Combustion of e-waste: Here e-waste is subjected to open burning in uncontrolled manner

which releases all sorts of pollutants in to atmosphere. Hence, this method is highly
dangerous for the environment and also increases the health risk of the workers.
c) Incineration of e-waste: Here e-waste is burnt at temperature above 800◦C obtained
gaseous products of the first incineration are further oxidized above 1100◦C. Heavy metals
are collected in the bottom of furnace.
d) Pyrolysis of e-waste: Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition of e-waste at higher temperature
in an oxygen free environment. In the temperature range of 450 & 1100◦C low molecular
products are formed and these can be used as fuel and chemical feedstock. This process
releases toxic halogens into atmosphere with flue gases.
e) Molten salt process: In this process, the e-waste is fed in with the salt, and salt is melted at
desired temperature under an inert atmosphere.
Organic parts decompose in the molten salt forming carbonates and silicates and are trapped
in molten salt. Halogens are converted into alkali metal halides, which remain in the molten
salt. After removing molten salt, mixture containing valuable metal is further treated to
obtain pure metal.

HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS:
There are three stages in metal recovery by hydrometallurgical method:
a) Pre-treatment stage (Separation)
b) Chemical treatment stage (Leaching)
c) Metal recovery stage (Recovery)

Pre-treatment Stage: This stage involves physical separation of metal components from e-
waste as in pyrometallurgical process followed by smelting of the mixture.
Chemical treatment stage: Metals are made to leach into the solutions using different leaching
reagents.
i. Cyanide Leaching: Alkali cyanide like KCN is used as leaching agent. The precious
metals like Au and Cu readily dissolves in cyanide solutions. Further, the same solution
can be subjected for electroplating to obtain pure metal.
ii. Acid and alkali leaching: HNO3, H2SO4 and HCl are prominent mineral acid used for
leaching of target metals. A few organic acids such as ascorbic acid, citric acid and
acetic acid are also used to leach light metals from spent batteries and mobile devices.
Li is leached from lithium-ion battery waste by treating with citric acid and H2O2 as
reducing agent.

9
 Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

iii. Thiosulphate leaching: Ammonium thiosulphate solution is used to solubilize Au, Ag,
Pt and other precious metals in the form of anionic stable complexes for a wide range
of pH. This reagent is safe, non-toxic, non-corrosive and metal can be recovered readily
from the complex.
iv. Thiourea Leaching: Thiourea is a sulphur based organic complexing agent, that forms
a cationic soluble complex with the Au and Ag present in printed circuit board
recycling. Thiourea gives quick rate of leaching, less interference of ions, low cost and
is environment friendly.
v. Halide Leaching: Cl-, Br- and I- ions containing salt solutions can be replaced for
cyanide leaching agents. They exhibit high solubility, improved redox potentials and
high rate of leaching. They are cheaper selective to the target and ideal leaching agent.

Metal Recovery Stage: In this stage pure metal is recovered from leached solution. There are
variety of methods involved to recover metal. Choice of method depends upon the nature of
leached solution.
i. Solvent extraction: Leached solution is treated with an organic solvent, called extractant
in a separating funnel. It results in two phase system. Here metal is extracted from leached
solution phase to organic phase. For example, methyl isobutyl ketone is used as an
extractant for gold.
ii. Electrodeposition: In this techniques, pure metal is obtained from leached solution by
constructing an electrolytic cell.
Pure metal same as metal to be extracted is taken as cathode and inert metal is used as
anode. They are dipped in leached solution. When a current is applied, pure metal is
electrodeposited on cathode.
This method has the advantage of high efficiency in metal recovery at cathode. For
example, Cu can be leached from PCBs with simultaneous cathodic electrodeposition from
the leaching solution with 99.95% efficiency leaving the residue rich in gold metal.
iii. Ion Exchange: This is an improved method of solvent extraction. Here solvent extractants
are impregnated on polymer beads (ion exchange resins). The functional group in the
reagent act as chelating group and selectively bind to metal ions. Thus, they can be used
for selective recovery of the metal ion. Some advantages of using this method are their
ease to use, no loss of reagent, low cost, use even in the low concentration of metal ions
and environment friendly.

10
 Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

iv. Adsorption: Metals can be recovered from leached solutions by adsorption on appropriate
adsorbents. For example, adsorption of gold-thiourea complex solution on activated
carbon is effective method.

EXTRACTION OF GOLD FROM E-WASTE

Gold metal has good electric conductivity and chemical stability and hence it is used for
making integrated circuits of electronic devices, coating for contacts and connectors.

Among e-waste, PCBs are rich in metals. It contains around 35% Cu, 0.16% Ag and 0.13%
Au by weight. Several techniques such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, bio- metallurgy,
microwave treatment and plasma technology are employed to recover precious metals from e-
waste. Among these recovery from hydrometallurgy method is the most economical.

Hydrometallurgical method

Extraction of gold can be done in different methods like cyanide leaching, aqua regia, bleach
and hydrochloric acid mixture and so on.

Cyanide leching: There are three stages in metal recovery by this method. They are

1. Pre-treatment Stage: E-waste is dismantled to separate various fractions like metals,

ceramics, plastics, wood and paper. Techniques such as gravity separation, electrostatic
separation, magnetic separation and eddy current separation are used to separate metals
from other fractions.
2. Chemical Treatment Stage: Target metals are leached into the solutions by treating with
appropriate chemical reagents. Cyanide leaching is the most common method used to
extract gold metal. Sodium salt of 3-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid with KCN/NaCN in the
presence of oxygen is used as leaching agent. A water soluble dicyanoaurate gold complex
is obtained in the process.
4Au + 8NaCN + 2H2O + O2 → 4Na[Au(CN)2] + 4NaOH
3. Metal Recovery Stage: Metal is recovered from the leached solution by suitable method.
Gold can be recovered from leaching solution by electrodeposition of dicyanoaurate gold
complex. Pure metal is taken as cathode and inert anode is dipped in leached solution.
When current is applied, gold is electrodeposited on cathode.

11
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

Aqua regia method: The extraction of gold in this method is pretty exactly same. There
are three major steps to recover gold in this method.

Step 1: Pre-treatment stage: This step involves separating gold from circuit boards by
dissolving them giving a bunch of gold and other debris. Gold is attached to a strip in circuit
board. These boards basically have copper, nickel and gold coated one over the other. Here
gold is separated by selectively dissolving in 3:1 mixture of HCl and H2O2 in the presence of
oxygen. After a week the contents are filtered and washed with distilled water.

Step 2: Chemical treatment stage:

The above obtained flakes of gold is treated with aqua regia (3:1 mixture of HCl & HNO3) for
about 2 hrs and occasional stirring. All the flakes are oxidised.

Au + 3NO3- + 6H+ → Au+3 + 3NO2 + 3H2O

Obtained gold ions will react with chloride ions of HCl to give stable complex of gold called
chloroaurate anion complex.

Au+3 + 4Cl- → [AuCl4]-

Chloroaurate anion complex in the presence of H+ ion gives a yellow solution of chloroauric
acid, which is extremely soluble in water.

[AuCl4]- + H+ → HAuCl4

Step 3: Recovery of Gold: Yellow solution is filtered and constantly washed with distilled
water to extract maximum gold solution in filtrate, sodium metabisulphite is added.
When metabisulphite is reacted with above filtrate, gives sulphur dioxide as one among the
products.
Na2S2O5 + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + H2O + 2SO2
Na2S2O5 + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O + 2SO2
This SO2 reacts with Chloroauric acid and metal gold is precipitated slowly and filtered after
2-3 days.
2HAuCl4 + 3SO2 + 6H2O → 2Au + 3H2SO4 + 8HCl

12
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

SCRAP ICs/ PCBs

3: 1 ratio of HCl:H2O2 in the O2

SEPARATION

FILTRATION
RESIDUE
GOLD FLAKES

AQUA REGIA
LEACHING

FILTRATION

FILTRATE CHLOROAURIC
ACID

Na2S2O5
RECOVERY
SO2

GOLD

DIRECT RECYCLING OF E-WASTE

Another method of recycling the e-waste is by direct recycling method.

 It involves harvesting electronic components directly from e-waste without breaking them
further into small components.
 Harvested materials are further processed with healing method to regenerate recycled
materials.
 The regenerated materials have performance equivalent to original materials.

For example, direct recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Here, the battery is discharged first to
avoid short circuiting and self-ignition of the battery and dismantled to separate anode, cathode,
electrolyte and separator. These components are reassembled for reuse.

13
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

Advantages:
 It is cost effective.
 Requires less amount of energy and reagents.
 Most environment friendly methods.

Disadvantages:
 Direct regeneration of components depends on state-of-health of used electronic materials.
 Defects and impurities accumulated during usage could affect the quality of the
refurbished active material.
 Also, in this method one cannot restore the initial property of pristine active materials.

ROLE OF STAKE HOLDERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF E-

WASTE
Basically, there are four stake holders in environmental management of the e-waste. They
are;
1. Statutory government regulatory bodies.
2. Producer (Manufacturing units).
3. Recycler (Recycling units & Collections units).
4. Consumers.
1. Statutory Government Regulatory Bodies:

State Pollution Control Board/ Pollution Control Board play the vital role in management of
E-waste. The main role of these statutory bodies is:

a. To collect the green tax from consumer though producer.

b. Apply some extra charges on producer (manufacturing units) in the form of penalty,
when no proper recycling of e-waste is assured.
c. Provide the incentives in the form of subsidy to recycler and collectors, when recycling
of e-waste is monitored properly. Also taking action when against it.
d. To conduct the programs of awareness and trainings in the society about importance of
recycling the e-waste.
e. Prevention of e-waste, granting authorization, registration, monitoring of compliance,
maintaining information on the conditions imposed for authorization, etc.,
f. Preparation of guidelines for Environmental sound e-waste management.

14
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

g. Recommendation of standards and specifications for processing and recycling of e-

waste.
h. Set a target for compliance to the reduction in use of hazardous substance in
manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment.

2. Producers (Manufacturing units):

The main role of producers in management of e-waste are:

a. Purchase the recycled material at fixed value and using of recycled e-waste during
manufacturing.
b. Setting up collection centres or take back systems individually or collectively.
c. Financing and organizing a system to meet the costs involved in environmentally sound
management of e-waste generated and accomplish this in transparent manner.
d. Forming the group of manufactures and encourage the recycling of e-waste.
e. Bearing the transportation cost and collection fees to ease the collection process.
f. Obtaining an authorisation from the concerned State Pollution Control Board or
Pollution control committee in accordance with rules.
g. Maintaining the records and make it available for scrutiny during inspection.

3. Recycler (Collection units and Recycling Units):

The main role of recycler in management of E-waste are:

a. The accountability of recycling units is dismantling, recycling processing of e-waste

materials, management of scrap materials (like incineration) and reselling of recycled
materials.
b. Establish the collections units and the group of people who can ensure return back of
e-product by consumer in exchange offer or directly approach consumer for door-to-
door collection.
c. Collect the e-waste from the collection units, dealer or retailer.
d. Providing incentives when proper collection of e-waste is assured by collections units.
e. To obtain the authorization and registration from the Statutory body.
f. To ensure that no damage is caused to the environment during storage (for not more
than 80-100 days), health of the workers and during transportation of e-waste.

15
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

g. To ensure that recycling and facilities for processing are in accordance with the
standards or guidelines published by CPCB from time to time.
h. To ensure that residue generated after recycling is disposed of in a hazardous waste
Treatment Storage Disposal Facility.
i. To make available all the records to the Statutory bodies during inspection.

4. Consumer:

The main role of consumer in management of e-waste are.

a. To ensure that e-waste generated is channelized to authorized return to pick-up or take

back service provided by the producers (exchange offers).
b. Develop self-awareness on e-waste management and involve in awareness programs.
c. Returning back of e-waste to collection units, who are registered under city statutory
bodies.

*******

16
Module 5: E-waste management RNSIT 2023-24

QUESTIONS BANK

1. What is e-waste? Mention the sources of e-waste.

2. Give the composition of e-waste.
3. Explain the pyrometallurgical method for recovery of e-waste.
4. Explain briefly the recycling of e-waste.
5. Explain the methods involved in hydrometallurgy.
6. Explain the ill effects of toxic materials used in manufacturing electrical and electronic
products.
7. Explain the hydrometallurgy method of extraction of gold from e-waste.
8. Briefly explain direct recycling method.
9. Explain the process involved in recovery of precious metals from e-waste.
10. Write a short note on the health hazards caused by
A) Lead B) Chromium C) Cadmium
11 Explain the need for e-waste management.
12 Briefly explain the different methods involved in metal recovery stage.
13 Give the ill effects and sources of constituents of organic polymeric compounds present in
electronic and electrical products.
14 Write a brief note on role of producers in e-waste management.
15 Write a brief note on role of statutory body in e-waste management.
16 Write a brief note on role of consumers in e-waste management.
17 Write a brief note on role of recycler in e-waste management

17