Dept of Chemistry – PESCE, MANDYA

MODULE-5 E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

Introduction, sources of e-waste, Composition, Characteristics, and Need of E-waste

management. Toxic materials used in manufacturing electronic and electricalproducts;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:Impactofheavymetalsonenvironmentandhumanhealth.

Definition of waste.
Waste refers to any material that is not wanted or needed and is discarded or disposed of.
Classification of Waste:
Waste can be classified into several categories including household waste, industrial waste,
hazardous waste and e-waste (waste from electronic devices).
Define waste management.
Waste management refers to the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste
materials to reduce their negative impact on the environment and human health.
Define E-waste management.
E-waste management refers to the processes and systems used to collect, transport, treat, and
dispose of electronic waste (e-waste) in an environmentally responsible and safe manner.
Sources of electronic waste(e-waste):
The main sources of electronic waste(e-waste)include:
1. Consumer electronics such as smart phones, lap tops, televisions, and household
appliances.
2. Office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines.
3. Medical equipment such as X-ray machines, monitors, and diagnostic equipment.
4. Electronic toys and games.
5. Military and government surplus equipment.
6. Obsolete technology such as outdated computer equipment and VCRs.
7. Discarded or broken electronic devices.
8. Colleges often use electronic equipment such as projectors, computer equipment, and
audio-visual equipment in classrooms and laboratories.
Composition of E-waste
The composition of electronic waste (e-waste) can vary depending on the type of device and
its components. In general, e-waste contains a mixture of materials including:
1. Metals: E-waste often contains valuable metals such as copper, gold, silver, and
aluminium.
2. Plastics: Many electronic devices contain plastic components, including casings,
insulation, and cables.
3. Glass:Electronic devices often contain glass components, such as screen sand lenses.
4. Circuitboards: Many electronic devices contain circuit boards, which contain a
mixture of metals and other materials.
5. Batteries: Some electronic devices contain batteries, which can contain hazardous
materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.
6.Otherhazardousmaterials:E-wastemayalsocontainotherhazardousmaterials,such
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Dept of Chemistry – PESCE, MANDYA

As flame retardants, heavy metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs).

Characteristics of E-waste:
The characteristics of electronic waste(e-waste) can include:
1. Complexity: E-waste often contains a complex mixture of materials, making it
challenging to recycle and dispose of properly.
2. Hazardousness: E-waste can contain hazardous materials such as heavy metals,
flame retardants, and batteries, which can pose significant environmental and health
risks.
3. Volatility: E-waste is a rapidly growing waste stream due to the increasing use of
electronic devices and the limited lifespan of many electronic products.
4. Global issue: E-waste is a global issue, as electronic devices are manufactured, used,
and discarded worldwide.
5. Resource depletion: The extraction of raw materials for electronic devices
contributes to resource depletion, and the improper disposal of e- waste can lead to
environmental contamination and waste of valuable resources.
6. Environmental and health impacts: Improper disposal of e-waste can lead to
significant environmental and health impacts, including soil and water contamination,
air pollution, and harm to human health.

Need of E-Waste Management:

E-wastemanagementisnecessarybecauseithelpstoaddressseveralenvironmental, 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 canbe
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 land filling: land filling 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.

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Dept of Chemistry – PESCE, MANDYA

Toxic materials used in manufacturing Electronic and Electricalproducts.

Electronic and electrical products can contain a variety of toxic materials, including:

1. Lead: Lead is a toxic heavy metal commonly used in the manufacture of batteries,
computer monitors, and other electronic components.
2. Mercury: Mercury is used in some fluorescent lights, batteries, and other electronic
devices.
3. Cadmium: Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal used in rechargeable batteries, pigments,
and plastic stabilizers.
4. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is a common plastic used in electronic cables and
other components. It can release toxic chemicals, such as dioxins, when burned or
during disposal.
5. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs): BFRs are used in the manufacture of
electronic products to prevent fires. However, they are toxic and can harm the
environment and human health.
6. Barium:Barium is used in some electronic components,including cathode ray tubes.
7. Rechargeable Batteries contains Lithium is used in batteries, but it can be toxic if
not handled properly. Cadmium, Lead, Sodium, Lithium, Nickel etc.,
8. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are toxic chemicals that were widely used ascoolants
and solvents in electronic products, such as refrigerators, air conditioners. They cause
ozone depletion.

Health hazardous due to exposure of ewaste:

Exposure to electronic waste(e-waste)canhaveserioushealthconsequences,including:
 Poisoning: E-waste can contain toxic substances, such as lead, cadmium, and
mercury that can cause poisoning if they enter the body.
 Respiratory problems: Exposure to dust and fumes generated during the dismantling
and disposal of e-waste can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis.
 Neurological effects: Exposure to toxic substances in e-waste, such as lead and
mercury, can cause neurological effects, including memory loss,
 Reproductive problems: Exposure to toxic substances in e-waste, such as cadmium,
can cause reproductive problems, including infertility and birth defects.
 Cancer: Exposure to carcinogenic substances, such as dioxins and polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), found in e-waste, can increase the risk of cancer.
It is important to effectively manage e-waste to minimize the exposure of workers
and the public to hazardous materials and to prevent serious health problems.

Need for E-Waste management concerning global perspective

E-waste management is an important global concern due to address environmental, health,
and economic concerns and to ensure that electronic waste is disposed of in a responsible and
sustainable manner.
1. Environmental impact: Improper disposal of e-waste can result in release of toxic
substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the environment, causing soil, air and water
pollution.

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Dept of Chemistry – PESCE, MANDYA

2. Resource depletion: E-waste contains valuable materials such as gold, silver and copper
that can be recovered and recycled. This can help to conserve natural resources and reduce
the need for new resource extraction.
3. Health risks: E-waste can pose health risks to workers involved in the informal recycling
sector and to communities living near e-waste dump sites.
4. Data security: E-waste can contain sensitive personal information and confidential
business data that could be exploited if not properly managed.
5. Economic benefits: Proper e-waste management can create job opportunities and generate
revenue from the sale of recovered materials.
6. Rapid growth of electronics industry: India is one of the fastest growing electronics
markets in the world, leading to a growing volume of e-waste.
7. Lack of proper disposal infrastructure: In many parts of India, there is a lack of proper
facilities and infrastructure for the disposal and management of e-waste.
Therefore, it is important to implement effective e-waste management policies and practices
globally to address these issues.

E-Waste recycling:
Theprocessofe-wasterecyclingtypicallyinvolvesthefollowingsteps:
1. Collection and transportation: E-waste is collected fromvarious sources such as
households, businesses, and recycling facilities. It is then transported to a recycling
plant for processing.
2. Sortinganddismantling: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.
3. 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.
4. Separation: The valuable materials, such as metals, plastics, and glass, are separated
from the other components through a series of physical and chemical processes.
5. 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 molded into new products.
6. 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.
E- Waste recycling and recovery different approaches (recycling, separation and
thermal treatment)

E-Waste recycling and recovery can be achieved through different approaches,including

separation and thermal treatments.
Separation:This involves physically separating different components of e-waste, such as
metals, plastics, and circuit boards. This can be done manually or through automated
processes, and the separated materials can then be processed further for recycling or disposal.
Such as using specialized equipment to sort materials by density, size, or magnetic properties.
Some common examples of e-waste components that are separated during the recycling
process include:

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Dept of Chemistry – PESCE, MANDYA

Thermal treatments:E-waste thermal treatment refers to the use of high temperatures to

recover valuable metals and other materials from electronic waste. This process can include
incineration or other pyrometallurgical techniques, and typically involves melting down the
waste to separate the metal components. The separated metals can then be recovered and
reused. Thermal treatment can be an effective method for e-waste recycling.

Hydrometallurgical extraction of Ewaste:

E-waste hydrometallurgical extraction is a process used to extract valuable metals and other
materials from electronic waste through chemical reactions in aqueous solutions. The process
typically involves the following steps:

Pre-treatment:This involves the fragmentation and size reduction of electronic waste to

prepare it for further processing.
1. Leaching: The e-waste is treated with chemical reagents in a solution to dissolve the
metals and other materials, creating a leachate.
2. Separation:The leachate is then processed to separate and purify the metals and other
materials, through methods such as precipitation or ion exchange.
3. Recovery: The extracted metals and other materials are then recovered and processed
for reuse.
Hydrometallurgical extraction is a more environmentally friendly alternative to thermal
treatments, as it generates less hazardous waste and can be more easily regulated to minimize
environmental impact.

Pyrometallurgical methods E-waste recycling:

E-waste pyrometallurgical methods refer to the process of extracting valuable metals and other
materials from electronic waste using high temperatures. These methods include:
1. Smelting: Thee-waste is melted in a furnace and then separated into individual metals
and other materials.
2. Refining: The metals from the smelted e-waste are further processed to remove
impurities and improve their quality.
3. Incineration: Electronic waste is burned at high temperatures to reduce its volume and
recover metals.
Pyrometallurgical methods are effective at recovering valuable metals from e-waste, but they
also generate hazardous byproducts and require significant energy inputs. Additionally, these
methods can pose a risk to the environment and human health if not properly regulated and
monitored.
Direct recycling of ewaste:
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 the different
components of e-waste, such as metals, plastics, and glass. The separated materials are then
processed to extract the valuable components and prepare them for reuse.
Advantages of direct recycling:
Several advantages over other methods of e-waste recycling, including lower energy inputs,
lower environmental impact, and the potential for higher quality end products.

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Dept of Chemistry – PESCE, MANDYA

By combining direct recycling with other methods, such as chemical and pyrometallurgical
processing, it is possible to maximize the recovery of valuable materials from electronic
waste and minimize the environmental impact of e-waste management.
Extraction of gold frome-waste(Explain the Principle and experimental procedure):

Principle: The principle behind the extraction of gold from e-waste is based on the fact 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 aquaregia (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 meta bisulfite.
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.
Advantages:
High yield expected.
Faster extraction of gold is possible.
Disadvantages:
Chemicals are used.
Acid residues are not disposed of properly, which harms the environment.
Role of stake holders in the environmental management of e-waste:
The role of stake holders in the environmental management of e-waste can vary depending on
the stakeholder and their level of involvement.
From a local perspective, stake holders in the environmental management of e-waste may
include:

 Governments: responsible for creating and enforcing regulations and policies to

manage e-waste, as well as promoting public awareness and education about e-waste
management.
 Manufacturers: responsible for the design, production, and disposal of electronic
products, and may be involved in the collection and recycling of e-waste.
 Consumers: responsible for properly disposing of e-waste and making informed
choices about the purchase of electronic products.
 E-waste recyclers and processors: responsible for the safe and responsible
management of e-waste, including the collection, dismantling, and recycling of
electronic waste.


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Dept of Chemistry – PESCE, MANDYA

Environmental organizations: responsible for advocating for sustainable and responsible e-

waste management practices and raising public awareness about e-waste issues.
 Community groups: responsible for organizing and participating in e- waste
recycling programs and events and promoting awareness of e-waste issues in the local
community. From a global perspective, stakeholders in the environmental
management of e-waste include:
 International organizations: such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization,
and the International Telecommunication Union, that is responsible for setting global
standards for e-waste management and promoting cooperation and collaboration
among countries.
 Transnational corporations: responsible for the design, production, and distribution
of electronic products on a global scale, and have a significant impact on e-waste
management practices.
 Global e-waste trade networks: responsible for the transportation and processing of
e-waste between countries and may impact the environmental and health outcomes of
e-waste management.
 Governments of developed and developing countries: responsible for creating and
enforcing regulations and policies to manage e-waste, as well as promoting public
awareness and education about e-waste management.
 Environmental organizations: responsible for advocating for sustainable and
responsible e-waste management practices and raising public awareness about e-waste
issues on a global scale.
 International community: including consumers, NGOs, and civil society
organizations, that can raise awareness about e-waste issues,
demand responsible e-waste management practices, and push for change at the
international level.
Role of stake holders-producers, consumers, recyclers, and statutory bodies.
In the management of electronic waste (e-waste), the following stakeholders play important
unique role in the management of e-waste:
1. Producers - are responsible for designing and producing electronic products and may
also be involved in the collection and recycling of e- waste.
2. Consumers- play a crucial role in the responsible disposal of e-waste and making
informed choices about the purchase of electronic products.
3. Recyclers - are responsible for safely and responsibly managing e-waste, including
the collection, dismantling, and recycling of electronic waste.
4. 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.

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