Question

Name any two sources of electronic wastes. Mention any one way each of its disposal in developing and developed countries.

Answer 1

Hint: Electronic waste or e-waste are electrical or electronic devices which are used and destined for refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material recovery, or disposal are e-waste.

Complete answer:
E-waste is waste produced from used or old electrical or electronic devices.
Two sources of e- waste are:
- Electronic devices such as TV, DVDs, and
- CD players and,

- The devices which we use for communication like phones, landline phones, fax etc.
- E-waste management is a problematic issue in many developing countries like India while many developed countries have established some methods of collecting different forms of wastes, especially those recyclable and non-recyclable.
- In developing countries the electronic waste like TV and phone is processed by initially dismantling the equipment of the device then breaking them into its components like frames, circuit boards, plastic casings and power supplies such as batteries. These processes are done by machines.
- In developing countries such processes are done by hand which increases the exposure to toxic chemicals. Such handling must be conducted under strict health and hygiene standards.
E-wastes can also be buried in landfills or incinerated.

Additional information:
Some other sources of E- waste are: Devices used in data processing like computer, speaker, keyboard. Household equipment like microwave, AC, vacuum cleaner, washing machine etc. Audio visual components like VCR.

Note: The best way of e-waste management is recycling. Recycling e-waste can decrease the demand for mining heavy metals and also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing new material.