Question

What is meant by E-waste?

Answer 1

Hint:
Since India is the fifth largest E-waste manufacturing country in the world, applicants should know that E-waste is a concept used for electronic goods that are close to the end of their useful life.

Complete solution:
What?
- Electronic waste is discarded from electronic or electrical appliances and machines.

- Used electronic devices meant for re-use, recovery, resale, and disposal or recycling are often referred to as e-waste.

- Informal or unorganised e-waste production, especially in developed countries, can adversely affect human health and also cause environmental pollution.

- Some examples of E-waste are:
1. Computers
2. Televisions
3. CRs
4. Stereos
5. Copiers, and
6. Fax machines

WHY?
- Electronic scrap products such as CPUs consist of potentially hazardous compounds such as zinc, beryllium, and cadmium or brominated flame retardants.

- The collection and storage of such electronic waste pose a high risk to staff and populations in developed countries. A great deal of caution must be taken to avoid toxic contamination in recycling activities.

- Care must also be taken to avoid the release of hazardous products such as heavy metals from incinerator ash and landfills.

Central Pollution Control Board Report:

- Until 2013-14, municipal authorities have built only 553 compost and vermin-compost plants, 56 biomethane plants, 22 waste-to-energy plants and 12 waste-to-energy plants.

- Municipal solid waste is projected to grow to 165 million tonnes by 2031 which, if unprocessed, will need 1240 hectares of land for disposal.

Approximately 62 million tonnes of waste are produced annually in India, of which only 11.9 million are handled and approximately half, i.e. 31 million tonnes, are dumped at landfill sites.

Note:
The Ministry of the Environment of India has notified regulations targeted at a wide variety of classes, such as hotels, suburban settlements, and bulk suppliers of consumer goods, ports, train stations, airports and pilgrimage sites. This is to ensure that the solid waste produced at their facilities is processed and recycled.