145
(Ikhlayel 2018). There are still arguments that E-waste generation in some developing countries does not call for urgent attention because of the lesser quantity and
longer half-life of electronic goods in those countries due to financial constraints, on
both local community and national scales (Kiddee et al. 2013).
In some developed countries, E-wastes have been treated or disposed of by landfill or by informal incineration as in the case of some developing countries. However,
technological innovations and recycling methods have been developed for regional
and global E-waste management (Zeng et al. 2015). In order to avert public debate,
the cost of disposing of E-waste must be balanced against the environmental benefit
(Zhang et al. 2014).
Different options for managing electronic-wastes ranging from the microscopic
to the macroscopic outlook are discussed. However, it is necessary to note that the
method governing regulatory structure in a region and the already established management options in a region are major factors that influence the choice of option for
managing E-waste.
8.1.1 Macroscopic Management of E-Waste
8.1.1.1 The Role of Government in E-Waste Management
Opportunities obtainable for handling E-wastes depend greatly on location and
existing governing regulatory structure (Townsend 2011). Different legislations
(e.g. the Basel Convention) with regard to E-waste have been enacted to check the
wider issues concerning E-waste management.
Compared to the more advanced countries, the state of affairs regarding E-waste
is even more of a threat in the developing world. In order to curb this menace, most
of the developed world and several countries in the developing world have endorsed
legislation to check unlawful trafficking and unlicensed recycling of E-waste. These
legislations appeal the extended producer responsibility concept based on life cycle
considerations in the hope that it will provide inhibition as well as a remedy
(Premalatha et al. 2014).
Laws and policies regarding the appropriate management of E-wastes continue
to advance with time (Ramesh Babu et al. 2007). However, such policy designs
should be innovative and should be strictly enforced in order to exert its efficacy (Lu
et al. 2015). In the aspect of promulgating and then implementing E-waste regulations, the European Union and some Asian countries have been described as frontiers. Meanwhile, the Swiss are ascribed with founding the first comprehensive
E-waste management system, covering collection to disposal (Sthiannopkao and
Wong 2013).
Laws and guidelines have been enacted by the European Union to restrict the use
of materials in electrical and electronic equipment which are detrimental to human
health and environmental safety (Directive 2002/95/EC, the RoHs Directive).
Guidelines were also stipulated on the promotion of E-waste recycling and collection
8 E-Waste Management from Macroscopic to Microscopic Scale
(Ikhlayel 2018). There are still arguments that E-waste generation in some developing countries does not call for urgent attention because of the lesser quantity and
longer half-life of electronic goods in those countries due to financial constraints, on
both local community and national scales (Kiddee et al. 2013).
In some developed countries, E-wastes have been treated or disposed of by landfill or by informal incineration as in the case of some developing countries. However,
technological innovations and recycling methods have been developed for regional
and global E-waste management (Zeng et al. 2015). In order to avert public debate,
the cost of disposing of E-waste must be balanced against the environmental benefit
(Zhang et al. 2014).
Different options for managing electronic-wastes ranging from the microscopic
to the macroscopic outlook are discussed. However, it is necessary to note that the
method governing regulatory structure in a region and the already established management options in a region are major factors that influence the choice of option for
managing E-waste.
8.1.1 Macroscopic Management of E-Waste
8.1.1.1 The Role of Government in E-Waste Management
Opportunities obtainable for handling E-wastes depend greatly on location and
existing governing regulatory structure (Townsend 2011). Different legislations
(e.g. the Basel Convention) with regard to E-waste have been enacted to check the
wider issues concerning E-waste management.
Compared to the more advanced countries, the state of affairs regarding E-waste
is even more of a threat in the developing world. In order to curb this menace, most
of the developed world and several countries in the developing world have endorsed
legislation to check unlawful trafficking and unlicensed recycling of E-waste. These
legislations appeal the extended producer responsibility concept based on life cycle
considerations in the hope that it will provide inhibition as well as a remedy
(Premalatha et al. 2014).
Laws and policies regarding the appropriate management of E-wastes continue
to advance with time (Ramesh Babu et al. 2007). However, such policy designs
should be innovative and should be strictly enforced in order to exert its efficacy (Lu
et al. 2015). In the aspect of promulgating and then implementing E-waste regulations, the European Union and some Asian countries have been described as frontiers. Meanwhile, the Swiss are ascribed with founding the first comprehensive
E-waste management system, covering collection to disposal (Sthiannopkao and
Wong 2013).
Laws and guidelines have been enacted by the European Union to restrict the use
of materials in electrical and electronic equipment which are detrimental to human
health and environmental safety (Directive 2002/95/EC, the RoHs Directive).
Guidelines were also stipulated on the promotion of E-waste recycling and collection
8 E-Waste Management from Macroscopic to Microscopic Scale