E-waste

Waste Electrical and Electronic Eqipment or WEEE or e-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.
Some of the notable items under this category include computers, printers, mobile phones, refrigerators, televisions, almost all electronic and many of the electrical equipment.
In developing countries, it accounts for 0.01% to 1% of the total municipal solid waste generation.
Concerns:
1. E-waste contains more than 1000 different substances, which fall under hazardous and non-hazardous categories.
2. Commonly present Hazardous materials are lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, hexavalent chromium and flame returdants beyond threshold limit.
3. In India there is no regulation for collection, treatment recycling and disposal of e-waste. MoEf has recently published guidelines on e-waste management
Opportunity:
1. Huge potential for revenue generation as it contains heavy metals, including some precious ones.
Books for reading: W-WASTE Implications, regulations and management in India by Rakesh Johri