The primary steps involved in E-waste handling are listed below.
- Collection E-waste
- Separation E-waste
- Processing E-waste
- Refurbishment E-waste
- E-waste is recycled.
- Dismantling E-waste
- Component recovery E-waste
- E-waste disposal that is left behind
Also Read: Recycling Management System
Collection
A team can be organised and educated to properly collect E-waste. Computers, laptops, printers, MP3 players, cell phones, stereos, scanners, video game players, DVD players, televisions, and other devices may be collected. For the collection of e-waste, a precise timetable should be established. The waste that has been collected should be kept in a secure location.
Any device that is powered by electricity (including batteries) or contains a circuit board must be sorted.
Telecommunication waste
- Mobile Phones
- Telephones
- PC & TV
Electrical waste
- Switches
- Relays
- Connectors and discarded material linked to them
Processing E-waste
Materials in the e-waste stream must be treated and sorted into clean commodities. That may be utilised to produce new goods after collection and transportation to recycling facilities. The core of electronics recycling is effective material separation.
Refurbishment E-waste
When electronic gadgets or electrical equipment malfunction, they are frequently repairable. People may opt to replace an old unit with a new one since it appears to be less expensive and time consuming. When you consider that the expense of environmental harm and health risks caused by dumping e-waste in landfills or recycling it improperly. A new item isn’t actually “cheaper.” Repairing or having an item repaired may necessitate a little extra effort. Do-it-yourself electrical gadget repair is becoming more popular, which is good for the environment, empowers people, and often saves money.
Recycled E-waste .
E-waste management is incomplete without recycling. It should considerably limit the release of harmful compounds into the environment and mitigate the exhaustion of natural resources if properly implemented. It does, however, require support from local governments and community education.
Recycling printed circuit boards from electrical waste is one of the most difficult tasks. Gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals, as well as basic metals like copper, iron, and aluminium, are used on the circuit boards. Melting circuit boards, burning cable sheathing to recover copper wire, and open-pit acid leaching are some of the ways e-waste is treated. Mechanical shredding and separation is the traditional method, however the recycling effectiveness is low. Alternative ways for printed circuit board recycling, such as cryogenic breakdown, have been investigated, and some additional approaches are still being investigated. Electronics that are properly disposed of or reused can assist to prevent health problems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs. Reuse and refurbishment are a more environmentally beneficial and socially responsible option than downcycling.
While modern technologies enable practically risk-free e-waste recycling, precautions must be taken to prevent dangerous emissions and toxics from harming human health and the environment.
Dismantling E-waste
In E-waste, it refers to the systematic removal of components, pieces, or a set of parts or a sub assembly from a product.
Component recovery E-Waste
Recycling facilities are used to reclaim the materials. Sorting plastic, glass, and metals before mixing them with other debris allows them to be recovered.
Disposal that is left behind E-waste
Even after treatment in recycling plants, a portion of the trash remains as residue, which necessitates disposal alternatives such as incineration or landfill dumping. For home and industrial trash disposal, open burning is conducted on a very modest scale.
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