Introduction
The ways in which we work, play, shop, and communicate have all been profoundly impacted by technological advances. They are an unavoidable component of the contemporary way of life. E-waste is one of the drawbacks associated with these technological products. Recycling e-waste is the major solution to reduce e-waste.
The term “electronic waste” refers to unwanted electronic equipment that has been thrown away. About fifty to sixty million tons of electronic waste are created annually, which is barely two to three percent of the annual waste produced globally. However, the damaging potential of this quantity of garbage to both human health and the environment may be greater than that of all the other types of waste put together. Once e-waste is exposed to strong UV radiation or corrodes for any other physical or chemical reason, the toxic materials it contains, such as lead, cadmium, and beryllium, could be released into the atmosphere, infiltrate the soil, and flow into the water bodies near the area, which would have a negative impact on public health.
What is e-Waste?
E-waste is defined as unwanted electronic items that are no longer functional and are nearing or have reached the end of their “useful life.” Everyday electrical items include computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines etc.
Types Of e-Waste
e-Waste, also known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), is a term to describe outdated, damaged or abandoned electrical appliances. It contains laptops, consumer gadgets, refrigerators, and other items that have been discarded by their original owners.
The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States classified electronic waste into ten categories. They are;
- Large Household Appliances (Refrigerators/Freezers, Washing machines, Dishwashers)
- Small Household Appliances (Toasters, Coffee makers, Irons, Hairdryers)
- IT equipment (Personal computers, Telephones, Mobile phones, Laptops, Printers, Scanners, Photocopiers)
- Consumer Appliances (Televisions, Stereo equipment,Electric toothbrushes)
- Lamps and Luminaries
- Electrical and Electronic Tools (Handheld drills, Saws, Screwdrivers)
- Toys, Leisure and Sports Equipment
- Medical Devices (With the exception of all implanted and infected products)
- Monitoring and Control Instruments
- Automatic Dispensers
Recycling e-Waste
The processing and reuse of electronic wastes is subsequently referred to as “e-waste recycling.” It is a method used to try and salvage materials from electronic garbage. You can use this to produce new electronic products. E-waste recycling is one of the topics that receives the most attention because of its ability to lessen environmental risks and pollution. The lives of humans and other living things in our globe can also be protected by it. According to reports only 12.5% of e-waste is recycled.
The recycling method varies according to the materials collected. Here is a general process of recycling e-wastes.
Step – 1 : Collection and Transportation
This is the initial stage of e-waste recycling. Recycling bins are placed in designated locations by recyclers. When these containers are full, recyclers transfer the e-waste to recycling centers and factories.
Step – 2 : Shredding and Sorting
After e-waste is collected and transported, it is shredded and sorted. Shredding is necessary for subsequent separation to be successful. Consequently, efficiency is crucial at this level.
For appropriate sorting, e-waste must be broken down into tiny parts through shredding. These small prices are manually categorized before being disassembled.
Materials are then divided into core materials and components. These things are subsequently categorized after being sorted. These products fall into two categories: those that can be reused and those that need further recycling steps.
Step – 3 : Dust Extraction
The shaking action on the conveyor belt causes the small waste particles to be distributed uniformly across the surface. After that, the fragments of e-waste that were evenly distributed are broken up even further. At this stage, the dust is collected and disposed of in a way that is safe for the environment. In this approach, there is no damage to the natural environment.
Step – 4 : Magnetic Separation
In this phase of e-waste recycling, a powerful overhead magnet is used to separate steel and iron from other materials. In certain mechanical operations, however, it may be necessary to separate circuit boards, copper, and aluminum from other waste particles. Especially when there is a predominance of plastic.
Step – 5 : Separation of Water
Following that, water separation is required to separate the glass from the plastic. Glass-containing wires sent to smelters for the construction of batteries, x-ray tubes, and new CRTs.
Step – 6 : Cleaning up the Waste Stream
Detecting and eliminating residual metals from plastics is the next step in further cleaning the waste stream.
Step – 7 : Get Recycled Materials Ready for Sale
The last step is to prepare recycled materials for sale. The materials segregated throughout the process are ready for sale as raw material for the production of new gadgets.
Challenges in Recycling of e-Waste
One of the main reasons is that many electronic equipment today are not made to be recycled. When sorting by hand, workers have to be around toxic materials for a long time. Even though these electronic devices are hard to recycle, facilities have to keep updating their equipment to adapt to the latest technology. This makes businesses less likely to recycle e-waste that is already hard to take apart.
Another issue confronting the e-waste recycling business is that only ten of the sixty chemical components included in e-waste can currently be recycled mechanically.
Another significant challenge in e-waste recycling is the decline in the value of less valuable materials. Even though the amount of e-waste is growing quickly, the quality of it is getting worse. As devices get smaller, they use less materials. This means that the price of these materials has dropped sharply. When this is combined with global prices for recycled commodities, it is easy to see why enterprises may struggle to sell or make the most of their gadgets and materials. Without a steady source of money, it may be difficult to invest in electronic recycling.
Conclusion
Today, recycling electronic waste is a major issue everywhere in the world. The ecosystem and life on earth are significantly impacted. Technologies for recycling e-waste need to be upgraded regularly. The electronics sector must also be aware of the proper way to dispose of its products after usage. e-Waste recycling even guarantees substantial economic gains for individuals, communities, and even entire countries. Recycling electronic garbage has created new opportunities for many individuals.
