153
batteries of computers (laptops). The mediation of bioleaching of copper from
E-waste by metabolites and extracellular enzymes produced by Acinetobacter sp.
has also been reported (Jagannath et al. 2017). Using Leptospirillum ferriphilum as
a biolixiviant, Bryan et al. (2015), dissolved metals from printed wiring boards and
effectively recovered copper. In spite of various merits of bioleaching, its commercialization has not been attained due to the fact that the process is slow (timeconsuming) and selective to particular groups of metals. Also, the microorganisms
used in this process are often sensitive to environmental factors such as pH and
temperature. Therefore, complete metal recovery using bioleaching technique has
not been feasible in the majority of the cases. Thus, there is a need for investigators
to develop faster and cheap bioleaching process profitable for pilot-scale operation
(Chauhan et al. 2018).
8.1.3.2 Benefits, Challenges and Future of E-Waste Recycling
E-wastes are comprised of many organic heavy metals which although harmful, find
great applications in some industries. In designing an efficient system for E-waste
recycling, the following factors must be considered: the relevant applicable legislation, the coverage of recycling products, the capital source, the producer responsibility and the effectiveness of the execution of the recycling process (Miao et al.
2017).
There are a number of benefits accruing to the recovery of resources and recycling of E-waste. Recycling E-wastes has also been presented as a lucrative business
venture. The recycling could either be formal or informal with the former being the
predominant type of recycling in developed nations while the latter being the commonly practised recycling in developing countries (Ramesh Babu et al. 2007).
Major components of most electronic equipment in use today are precious and
special metals. This has hence made the manufacture of various electronic products
an important contributor to world demand for metals (Sthiannopkao and Wong
2013). Reuse and recycling of metal from E-waste increases metal availability for
various products while reducing the dependence on mining industries for the production of new metals, with the subsequent environmental implications of mining
activities (Kumar and Holuszko 2016). Recovering these metals from E-wastes
paves way for urban mining and hence ensures safe disposal of these hazardous
materials for environmental and public safety (Kumar and Holuszko 2016).
Moreover, E-waste recovery also enables the extraction of mineral resources much
needed in the electronics industry. However, in order to establish this recovery system, it is paramount to ‘consummately’ analyse the ‘environment-resource-cost’
balance (Miao et al. 2017).
The major cost constraint in the recycling of E-wastes borders on the collection
and transport of the waste. In developing countries, E-wastes are collected by the
informal sector (Sthiannopkao and Wong 2013). In order to abate this challenge,
manufacturers of electronic products should get involved in the collection and recycling of these waste electronics as a way of incorporating social responsibility (CSR)
8 E-Waste Management from Macroscopic to Microscopic Scale
batteries of computers (laptops). The mediation of bioleaching of copper from
E-waste by metabolites and extracellular enzymes produced by Acinetobacter sp.
has also been reported (Jagannath et al. 2017). Using Leptospirillum ferriphilum as
a biolixiviant, Bryan et al. (2015), dissolved metals from printed wiring boards and
effectively recovered copper. In spite of various merits of bioleaching, its commercialization has not been attained due to the fact that the process is slow (timeconsuming) and selective to particular groups of metals. Also, the microorganisms
used in this process are often sensitive to environmental factors such as pH and
temperature. Therefore, complete metal recovery using bioleaching technique has
not been feasible in the majority of the cases. Thus, there is a need for investigators
to develop faster and cheap bioleaching process profitable for pilot-scale operation
(Chauhan et al. 2018).
8.1.3.2 Benefits, Challenges and Future of E-Waste Recycling
E-wastes are comprised of many organic heavy metals which although harmful, find
great applications in some industries. In designing an efficient system for E-waste
recycling, the following factors must be considered: the relevant applicable legislation, the coverage of recycling products, the capital source, the producer responsibility and the effectiveness of the execution of the recycling process (Miao et al.
2017).
There are a number of benefits accruing to the recovery of resources and recycling of E-waste. Recycling E-wastes has also been presented as a lucrative business
venture. The recycling could either be formal or informal with the former being the
predominant type of recycling in developed nations while the latter being the commonly practised recycling in developing countries (Ramesh Babu et al. 2007).
Major components of most electronic equipment in use today are precious and
special metals. This has hence made the manufacture of various electronic products
an important contributor to world demand for metals (Sthiannopkao and Wong
2013). Reuse and recycling of metal from E-waste increases metal availability for
various products while reducing the dependence on mining industries for the production of new metals, with the subsequent environmental implications of mining
activities (Kumar and Holuszko 2016). Recovering these metals from E-wastes
paves way for urban mining and hence ensures safe disposal of these hazardous
materials for environmental and public safety (Kumar and Holuszko 2016).
Moreover, E-waste recovery also enables the extraction of mineral resources much
needed in the electronics industry. However, in order to establish this recovery system, it is paramount to ‘consummately’ analyse the ‘environment-resource-cost’
balance (Miao et al. 2017).
The major cost constraint in the recycling of E-wastes borders on the collection
and transport of the waste. In developing countries, E-wastes are collected by the
informal sector (Sthiannopkao and Wong 2013). In order to abate this challenge,
manufacturers of electronic products should get involved in the collection and recycling of these waste electronics as a way of incorporating social responsibility (CSR)
8 E-Waste Management from Macroscopic to Microscopic Scale