203
• Small equipment – vacuum cleaners, microwaves, ventilation equipment, electric kettles, radio, video recorder, calculators, electronic toys, medical devices,
and electronic tools.
• Small information technology and telecommunication equipment – mobile
phones, global positioning system, personal computers, printers, and telephones.
The lifetime of the six different categories varies according to their quantities,
economic values, and impact on environmental health if recycled improperly. The
consumer mentality in disposing of the electrical and electronic equipment, as well
as the recycling technologies, also varies accordingly. It is noted that in 2014, 41.8
million metric tons of Electronic-waste was produced as waste, and in near 2018 it
will increase to 50 metric tons (Baldé et al. 2015). From 1992 to 2005, the lifespan
of computers shrunk from 4.5 years to 2 years. This is due to the upgradation of
newer and latest version with the old ones by the consumers. Unsuitable recycling
makes the electronic-waste as potential environmental and health hazards. It is
noted that Electronic-waste consists of 60 metals, which include copper, silver, palladium, platinum, gold, etc. These metals when recovered could reduce the demand
for new metal production to some extent. The production of hazardous by-products
in electrical and electronic equipment is called an informal sector of Electronicwaste. Inadequate recycling technologies and manpower were seen in terms of
Electronic-waste. Unexpected exposure to Electronic-waste especially to children is
found to be vulnerable. In this chapter we will be focusing on the electrical and
electronic equipment, their impact to our environment as well as to health, recycling
of electrical and electronic equipment, approaches in the reduction of health effects,
and special attention towards the areas of improvement.
11.1.1 Electronic-Waste and Sustainable Developmental Goals
In order to end poverty and to give property assurance and protection of our planet
for the next 15 years, in September 2015, the United Nations and state members
adopted 2030 agenda for sustainable development. It consists of 17 sustainable
development goals and 169 targets. From the goals, it is concluded that Goal 3:
Good health and well-being, focuses on death rates and illness caused by hazardous
chemicals and contamination of air, water, and soil. Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation and, seeks to achieve safe drinking water and to reduce pollution and dumping
of hazardous waste. Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth aims at entrepreneurship, innovation, and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises. Goal 11:
Sustainable cities and communities focuses on per-capita environmental impact.
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production aimed at the life cycle of individual products and their release to the soil, water, and air, and on waste generation
reduction by prevention, reduction, repair, recycling, and reuse. Goal 14: Life below
water goes well with the management of Electronic-waste. Electronic-waste when
treated improperly creates health issues and contaminates air, water, and soil, and
untrained people in dismantling process provides risk to the people as well as to the
11 Sustainable Electronic-Waste Management: Implications on Environmental…
• Small equipment – vacuum cleaners, microwaves, ventilation equipment, electric kettles, radio, video recorder, calculators, electronic toys, medical devices,
and electronic tools.
• Small information technology and telecommunication equipment – mobile
phones, global positioning system, personal computers, printers, and telephones.
The lifetime of the six different categories varies according to their quantities,
economic values, and impact on environmental health if recycled improperly. The
consumer mentality in disposing of the electrical and electronic equipment, as well
as the recycling technologies, also varies accordingly. It is noted that in 2014, 41.8
million metric tons of Electronic-waste was produced as waste, and in near 2018 it
will increase to 50 metric tons (Baldé et al. 2015). From 1992 to 2005, the lifespan
of computers shrunk from 4.5 years to 2 years. This is due to the upgradation of
newer and latest version with the old ones by the consumers. Unsuitable recycling
makes the electronic-waste as potential environmental and health hazards. It is
noted that Electronic-waste consists of 60 metals, which include copper, silver, palladium, platinum, gold, etc. These metals when recovered could reduce the demand
for new metal production to some extent. The production of hazardous by-products
in electrical and electronic equipment is called an informal sector of Electronicwaste. Inadequate recycling technologies and manpower were seen in terms of
Electronic-waste. Unexpected exposure to Electronic-waste especially to children is
found to be vulnerable. In this chapter we will be focusing on the electrical and
electronic equipment, their impact to our environment as well as to health, recycling
of electrical and electronic equipment, approaches in the reduction of health effects,
and special attention towards the areas of improvement.
11.1.1 Electronic-Waste and Sustainable Developmental Goals
In order to end poverty and to give property assurance and protection of our planet
for the next 15 years, in September 2015, the United Nations and state members
adopted 2030 agenda for sustainable development. It consists of 17 sustainable
development goals and 169 targets. From the goals, it is concluded that Goal 3:
Good health and well-being, focuses on death rates and illness caused by hazardous
chemicals and contamination of air, water, and soil. Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation and, seeks to achieve safe drinking water and to reduce pollution and dumping
of hazardous waste. Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth aims at entrepreneurship, innovation, and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises. Goal 11:
Sustainable cities and communities focuses on per-capita environmental impact.
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production aimed at the life cycle of individual products and their release to the soil, water, and air, and on waste generation
reduction by prevention, reduction, repair, recycling, and reuse. Goal 14: Life below
water goes well with the management of Electronic-waste. Electronic-waste when
treated improperly creates health issues and contaminates air, water, and soil, and
untrained people in dismantling process provides risk to the people as well as to the
11 Sustainable Electronic-Waste Management: Implications on Environmental…