323
• Improvising the processes of existing informal industry through inclusion of
minimum scientific methods and integrating them with formal recycling companies having advanced know-hows like treatment facilities (TF). If needed publicprivate partnership (PPP) can be encouraged to tackle the sticky situation by
using best available technologies (BAT) leading to better environmental management and enhanced resource recovery.
• Researches are on for inventing ways to reduce the use of hazardous substances
(RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment. Substitution of hazardous substances has been initiated like the production of ‘halogen-free’ appliances, limiting production of PCBs and dioxins, replacement of bromide combustion
retarders with ones based on phosphorus, etc.
• The outlook towards E-waste will change if one views it as E-wealth; the presence of precious metals makes them really lucrative. It has been estimated that
approximately 7% of the world’s gold is present in E-waste (World Economic
Forum 2019).
• The most recent idea is ‘Circular Vision for Electronics’, which aims at durable
designing of products, reintegration of manufacturing scarp, life extension of
products through efficient repairing, formalized E-waste collection with incentives for the consumers and, finally, advanced recycling and recapture (World
Economic Forum 2019). The resources are not only extracted and discarded, but
valued and reused in ways that minimize environmental impacts and also create
job opportunities.
There are several best available practices to follow. Switzerland was the first
country in the world to have established a formal E-waste management system
through two producer responsibility organizations (Khetriwal et al. 2005). In the
case of Seoul, there is a centralized resource centre for extraction and recycling of
E-waste or that of the UK where the onus of E-waste management is completely on
a private company. With a detailed assessment, the E-waste recycling business has
to be tied with bulk consumers, companies practising EPR, software technology
parks and also the informal sector especially in the Global South to bring about a
positive impact on the current situation.
References
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM India) and NEC
Technologies India Private Limited (2018) Electricals & electronics manufacturing in India,
New Delhi
Awasthi AK, Zeng X, Li J (2016) Comparative examining and analysis of e-waste recycling in
typical developing and developed countries. Procedia Environ Sci 35:676–680
Balde CP, Forti V, Gray V, Kuehr R, Stegmann P (2017) The global e-waste monitor 2017: quantities, flows and resources. United Nations University, International Telecommunication Union,
and International Solid Waste Association, Geneva
18 Eyeing Sustainability: Electronic Waste Handling in Kolkata
• Improvising the processes of existing informal industry through inclusion of
minimum scientific methods and integrating them with formal recycling companies having advanced know-hows like treatment facilities (TF). If needed publicprivate partnership (PPP) can be encouraged to tackle the sticky situation by
using best available technologies (BAT) leading to better environmental management and enhanced resource recovery.
• Researches are on for inventing ways to reduce the use of hazardous substances
(RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment. Substitution of hazardous substances has been initiated like the production of ‘halogen-free’ appliances, limiting production of PCBs and dioxins, replacement of bromide combustion
retarders with ones based on phosphorus, etc.
• The outlook towards E-waste will change if one views it as E-wealth; the presence of precious metals makes them really lucrative. It has been estimated that
approximately 7% of the world’s gold is present in E-waste (World Economic
Forum 2019).
• The most recent idea is ‘Circular Vision for Electronics’, which aims at durable
designing of products, reintegration of manufacturing scarp, life extension of
products through efficient repairing, formalized E-waste collection with incentives for the consumers and, finally, advanced recycling and recapture (World
Economic Forum 2019). The resources are not only extracted and discarded, but
valued and reused in ways that minimize environmental impacts and also create
job opportunities.
There are several best available practices to follow. Switzerland was the first
country in the world to have established a formal E-waste management system
through two producer responsibility organizations (Khetriwal et al. 2005). In the
case of Seoul, there is a centralized resource centre for extraction and recycling of
E-waste or that of the UK where the onus of E-waste management is completely on
a private company. With a detailed assessment, the E-waste recycling business has
to be tied with bulk consumers, companies practising EPR, software technology
parks and also the informal sector especially in the Global South to bring about a
positive impact on the current situation.
References
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM India) and NEC
Technologies India Private Limited (2018) Electricals & electronics manufacturing in India,
New Delhi
Awasthi AK, Zeng X, Li J (2016) Comparative examining and analysis of e-waste recycling in
typical developing and developed countries. Procedia Environ Sci 35:676–680
Balde CP, Forti V, Gray V, Kuehr R, Stegmann P (2017) The global e-waste monitor 2017: quantities, flows and resources. United Nations University, International Telecommunication Union,
and International Solid Waste Association, Geneva
18 Eyeing Sustainability: Electronic Waste Handling in Kolkata