CMR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Module 5: E-waste management

Q1. Define e-waste. Explain about sources, composition and characteristics of e-
waste.
E-waste
Electronic waste refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices, such as computers,
televisions, mobile phones, and household appliances.
Sources of e-waste
• Consumer electronics such as smart phones, laptops, televisions, and household
appliances.
• Office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines.
• Medical equipment such as X-ray machines, monitors, and diagnostic equipment.
• Electronic toys and games.
• Obsolete technology such as outdated computer equipment, projectors and VCRs.
• Discarded or broken electronic devices.
Composition of e-waste
• Metals such as copper, gold, silver, and aluminium.
• Plastic components, including casings, insulation, and cables.
• Glass components, such as screens and lenses.
• Circuit boards, which contain a mixture of metals and other materials.
• Batteries, which can contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and
cadmium.
• Hazardous materials, such as flame retardants, heavy metals, and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Characteristics of e-waste
• Complexity: E-waste often contains a complex mixture of materials, making it
challenging to recycle and dispose of properly.
• Hazardousness such as heavy metals, flame retardants, and batteries, can pose
significant environmental and health risks including soil and water
contamination, air pollution, and harm to human health.
• Global issue: the electronic devices are manufactured, used and discarded
worldwide.
• Resource depletion: The extraction of raw materials for electronic devices
contributes to resource depletion.
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Q2. What is e-waste and explain the need of e-waste management.

E-waste
Electronic waste refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices, such as computers,
televisions, mobile phones, and household appliances.

Need of e-waste management

• 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: Proper recycling and disposal of e-waste
can reduce the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the
atmosphere.
• Reducing land filling: It results in the release of toxic materials into the
environment and contributes 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.

Q3. Mention toxic materials used in the manufacturing of electronic and electrical
products, and discuss their health hazards.

Toxic materials
a) Lead is a toxic heavy metal commonly used in batteries, computer monitors, and
other electronic components.
a) Mercury is used in some fluorescent lights, batteries, and other electronic devices.
b) Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal used in rechargeable batteries, pigments, and
plastic stabilizers.
c) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is used in electronic cables, which release toxic
chemicals, such as dioxins, when burned or during disposal.
d) Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are toxic and can harm the environment
and human health.
e) Lithium is used in rechargeable batteries, but it can be toxic if not handled
properly.
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Health hazardous
a) Poisoning: Toxic substances, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury can cause
poisoning if they enter the body.
b) Respiratory problems: Exposure to dust and fumes generated can cause
respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis.
c) Neurological effects: Toxic substances such as lead and mercury, can cause
neurological effects, including memory loss.
d) Reproductive problems: toxic substances such as cadmium, can cause
reproductive problems.
e) Cancer: Exposure to carcinogenic substances, such as dioxins and polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), found in e-waste, can increase the risk of cancer.

Q4. What are the different approaches to recycling of e-waste?

The process of e-waste recycling typically involves the following steps:

• Collection and transportation: E-waste is collected from various sources such

as households, businesses, and recycling facilities. It is then transported to a
recycling plant for processing.
• Sorting and dismantling: E-waste is sorted into different categories based on the
type of material and the manufacturer. The recyclers then dismantle the devices
to separate the valuable materials from the hazardous components.
• Shredding: The e-waste is shredded into smaller pieces to make it easier to
separate the different materials. The shredded pieces are then sorted into
different categories based on their composition.
• Separation: The valuable materials, such as metals, plastics, and glass, are
separated from the other components through a series of physical and chemical
processes.
• Processing: The separated materials are processed to remove any impurities and
contaminants, and to prepare them for reuse. For example, metals are smelted to
produce pure metal alloys, while plastics are melted and moulded into new
products.
• Disposal of hazardous waste: The hazardous components of e-waste, such as
batteries and LCDs, are properly disposed of to prevent pollution and health
hazards.
CMR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Q5. Define direct recycling method. Explain the pyrometallurgical and

hydrometallurgical process of recovery of e-waste.

Direct recycling of e-waste:

Direct recycling of e-waste refers to the process of recovering valuable materials from
electronic waste without the need for intermediate processing steps. This can include
processes such as shredding, granulating, and sorting, which are used to separate
metals, plastics, and glass.

Hydrometallurgical extraction
It is a process used to extract valuable metals and other materials from electronic waste
through chemical reactions in aqueous solutions.
• Collection and sorting: Electronic waste is collected and sorted into different
categories based on the materials present.
• Shredding or grinding: The electronic waste is shredded or ground into small
particles to increase the surface area for the extraction process.
• Leaching: The crushed electronic waste is then treated with a solution, such as
sulfuric acid, that dissolves the metals and minerals.
• Separation: The metal-rich solution is then separated from the solid waste. The
metals and minerals present in the solution are then recovered using a variety of
techniques, such as precipitation, ion exchange, and solvent extraction.
• Purification: The recovered metals and minerals are then purified to remove
impurities

Pyrometallurgical extraction:

E-waste pyrometallurgical methods refer to the process of extracting valuable metals and
other materials from electronic waste using high temperatures.
• Collection and sorting: Electronic waste is collected and sorted into different
categories based on the materials present.
• Shredding or grinding: The electronic waste is shredded or ground into small
particles to increase the surface area for the extraction process.
• Smelting: The shredded electronic waste is then heated in a furnace, along with a
fluxing agent, to extract the metals. The fluxing agent helps to separate the metals
from the other components of the waste.
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• Separation: The melted waste is then cooled, and the metals are separated from
the slag (non-metallic waste) using a variety of techniques, such as skimming,
tapping, and slag fuming.
• Purification: The extracted metals are then purified to remove impurities.

Q6. Discuss the gold extraction process from e-waste.

Principle:

The principle behind the extraction of gold from e-waste is that gold is a relatively non-
reactive metal, which allows it to be recovered from complex electronic waste matrices
through a series of chemical and physical processes.

Experimental procedure:

1. Collection and segregation of e-waste: The first step involves collecting and
segregating the e-waste into different categories, such as computer motherboards, cell
phones, and other electronic devices.
2. Physical separation: The e-waste is physically separated into different components,
such as plastics, metals, and glass.
3. Leaching: The metals, including gold, are leached from the e-waste using a suitable
reagent, such as aqua regia (a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid), to dissolve
the gold.

Au + HNO3 + 4HCl → HAuCl4 + NO + 2H2O

4. Precipitation: The dissolved gold is then precipitated out of the solution through the
addition of a suitable reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite.

2H[AuCl4] + 3Na2S2O5 + 3H2O → 2Au + 3SO2 + 3Na2SO4 + 8HCl

5. Purification: The precipitated gold is then purified through processes such as ion
exchange, electro-winning, or distillation, to remove impurities and improve its
quality.
6. Recovery: The purified gold is then recovered for reuse.
CMR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Q7. Write a brief note on role of stakeholders for example; producers, consumers,
recyclers, and statutory bodies in e-waste management.

In of e-waste management, the following stakeholders play an important unique role:

1. Producers

Producers have a responsibility to design and produce products that are environmentally
friendly and can be easily recycled or reused at the end of their useful lives. They should
also participate in e-waste collection and recycling programs and contribute to the
development of sustainable e-waste management systems

2. Consumers

Consumers play a critical role in reducing e-waste by choosing to purchase products that
are designed to be environmentally friendly, and by properly disposing of their old
electronics. Consumers can also participate in e-waste collection and recycling programs
and can advocate for the development of more sustainable e-waste management systems.

3. Recyclers

Recyclers and waste management companies are responsible for collecting, treating, and
disposing of e-waste in a safe and responsible manner. They should use environmentally
friendly methods for extracting valuable materials from e-waste, and should properly
dispose of any hazardous waste generated during the process.

4. Statutory bodies

Statutory bodies such as governments, are responsible for creating and enforcing
regulations and policies to manage e-waste and promoting public awareness and
education about e-waste management.