68
Added to that, below are major challenges faced in Electronic-waste recycling
facilities:
• High Electronic-waste volume: High electronic volumes are generated due to
rapid growth in the electronic industry and high demand for new technologies
which are expected to peak by 2030 (van Santen et al. 2010). These high waste
volumes increase the cost of disposal and storage and encourage waste generators to seek recycling alternatives such as incineration and landfilling which
increases the environmental impact.
• Poor design and complex integrated Electronic-waste system: Electronic- waste
complex designs impose many challenges including mixing of different nonrecyclable materials as well as bolts and screws that increases the complexity of
the recycling process in compact products such as mobile phones and liquid
crystal display (LCD) screens. This causes recycling to be more intensive and
sophisticated which reduces process efficiency and increases cost.
• Lack of Electronic-waste management and recycling regulations: Lack of effective enforcement of accurate E-waste regulations both in management and recycling. Many geographical areas lack adequate and accurate regulations, which
cause ineffective procedures of E-waste management.
4.1.2 Collection Practices of Electronic-Waste
The European Union (EU) has the highest rates of Electronic-waste recycling estimated at 60–80% of global waste followed by Japan (Zimring and Rathje 2012).
However, much of the Electronic-waste is discarded in general waste streams or
illegally exported to giant importers of Electronic-waste from Asian nations such as
Cathode ray tubes
(CRTs), liquid crystal
displays (LCD's),
televisions
• Contaminants:
Lead, Barium and
other heavy metals
• Danger: Causes
water contamination
and toxic
phosphorous
release
Batteries, housing
and medical
equipment
• Contaminants:
Mercury
• Danger:
Poisonous and
hazardous air
emissions
Polyvinyl chloride
polymers, plastics
from printers
• Contaminants:
Chlorinated plastics
waste
• Danger: Heart,
immune problems
and chlorine
poisoning
Fig. 4.3 Contaminants in Electronic-waste products
M. Aboughaly and H. A. Gabbar
Added to that, below are major challenges faced in Electronic-waste recycling
facilities:
• High Electronic-waste volume: High electronic volumes are generated due to
rapid growth in the electronic industry and high demand for new technologies
which are expected to peak by 2030 (van Santen et al. 2010). These high waste
volumes increase the cost of disposal and storage and encourage waste generators to seek recycling alternatives such as incineration and landfilling which
increases the environmental impact.
• Poor design and complex integrated Electronic-waste system: Electronic- waste
complex designs impose many challenges including mixing of different nonrecyclable materials as well as bolts and screws that increases the complexity of
the recycling process in compact products such as mobile phones and liquid
crystal display (LCD) screens. This causes recycling to be more intensive and
sophisticated which reduces process efficiency and increases cost.
• Lack of Electronic-waste management and recycling regulations: Lack of effective enforcement of accurate E-waste regulations both in management and recycling. Many geographical areas lack adequate and accurate regulations, which
cause ineffective procedures of E-waste management.
4.1.2 Collection Practices of Electronic-Waste
The European Union (EU) has the highest rates of Electronic-waste recycling estimated at 60–80% of global waste followed by Japan (Zimring and Rathje 2012).
However, much of the Electronic-waste is discarded in general waste streams or
illegally exported to giant importers of Electronic-waste from Asian nations such as
Cathode ray tubes
(CRTs), liquid crystal
displays (LCD's),
televisions
• Contaminants:
Lead, Barium and
other heavy metals
• Danger: Causes
water contamination
and toxic
phosphorous
release
Batteries, housing
and medical
equipment
• Contaminants:
Mercury
• Danger:
Poisonous and
hazardous air
emissions
Polyvinyl chloride
polymers, plastics
from printers
• Contaminants:
Chlorinated plastics
waste
• Danger: Heart,
immune problems
and chlorine
poisoning
Fig. 4.3 Contaminants in Electronic-waste products
M. Aboughaly and H. A. Gabbar