E-WASTE AND GREEN COMPUTING

There is no generally accepted definition of e-waste. But we can say that unwanted,
obsolete or unusable electronic products such as computers, computer peripherals, televisions,
VCRs, DVD Players, stereo equipment, hand cell phones are commonly referred to as ‘electronic
waste’.
Management and disposal of e-waste has become a serious problem among states
nationwide. The problem of electronic waste (e-waste) is growing at an unsustainable rate. E-waste
is now the fastest growing, and most toxic, component of municipal garbage. Local governments
are facing huge costs to handle e-waste, and even greater costs if they do not capture this toxic
stream and handle it in an appropriate manner.
E-Waste contains hazardous materials like lead which pose a potential long term human
health and environmental impacts. Ground Water especially is more likely to be polluted (note,
more than half the country reliant on ground water resources). Lead in the e-waste is a toxic
substance which may and cause lead poisoning and can be especially harmful for young children.
The piling up of E-waste is not only due to the electronic goods used in India but the
developed nations of the world export illegally their e-waste to India and other Asian countries.
These wastes are disposed of by uncontrolled burning and burying which are causing
environmental problems. The toxicity of some of the substance, eg mercury, cadmium also pose
grievous health problems.
Management and disposal options
• Due to increased public, regulatory and commercial scrutiny and also a commensurate
entrepreneur interest, there has been a diversion from energy intensive down cycling
processes to more mature processing systems.
• This has been largely achieved through reuse and refurbishing
• The government should strictly monitor and punish illegal importing of E-Waste to the
country.
Reuse
• Preventing waste in the first place is the preferred management option.
• This can be achieved through repairing, upgrading used electrical equipment.
• Example- adding memory to a computer, upgrading software.
Recycle
• Make use of take back programs
• Through recycling units are either reused or dismantled for recycling.
• The silver, gold, lead and other heavy metal are recyclable
Dispose
• The least preferred option is to landfill electronic waste.
• This should only come as a last option but care should be taken to consult with state
regulations on disposal of any hazardous waste.

Benefits of reuse (social and environmental)
• Diminished demand for new products and their commensurate requirement for virgin raw
material
• There is lessened need for water and energy for the associated manufacturing
• Less packaging per unit
• Availability of technology to wider swaths of society due to greater affordability of
products
• Saved landfill space
Each one of us has a role to play!
• Need for a e-waste policy and legislation
• Encourage and facilitate organized recycling systems
• Should subsidies recycling and disposal industries
• Collect fee from manufactured/consumers for the disposal of toxic material
• Incentive schemes for garbage collectors and general public for collecting and handling
over e-waste
• Awareness programme on e-waste for school children and general public
• Transparency and accountability to the public Handling large amounts of e-waste poses
risks of toxic contamination to workers and surrounding communities if conducted
carelessly.
• Thus, the most basic criterion that employees and citizens should rightfully expect from
any recycling operation is that it be open to public inspection.
• General compliance with occupational health and safety standards Observance of health
and safety standards in the workplace is important for protecting workers from exposure to
toxics whilst handling e-waste
• Well-trained workers, who are fully protected by the law to seek advice and take action to
protect their health and the environment without fear of reprisal from their employer, are
the most effective environmental protection.
• it is important that we create a national framework for the environmentally sound
management of e-waste including wide public awareness and education
• Conduct detailed inventories of e-waste
• Initiate pilot schemes on collection and sorting of e-wastes, including take back schemes
and schemes for repair refurbishment and recycling