About Invisible E-Waste

Context:

The WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment)Forum, in celebration of International E-Waste Day on October 14, 2023, engaged the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to determine the annual quantities of Invisible E-Waste items.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Highlights of the Study on Invisible E-Waste
2. Recommendations from the Study
3. Provisions regarding E-waste in India
4. About the WEEE Forum

Key Highlights of the Study on Invisible E-Waste:

Invisible e-waste refers to electronic waste that often goes unnoticed due to its nature or appearance, leading consumers to overlook its potential for recycling.

• Variety of Items: This category encompasses various electronic items, including cables, e-toys, e-cigarettes, e-bikes, power tools, smoke detectors, USB sticks, wearable health devices, and smart home gadgets.
• Global Unnoticed E-Waste: Approximately one-sixth of global electronic waste, amounting to nearly 9 billion kilograms annually, is overlooked by consumers.
• Contribution of E-Toys: Around 35% of invisible e-waste (roughly 3.2 billion kilograms) comes from e-toys, including race car sets, electric trains, drones, and biking computers.
• Impact of Vaping Devices: An estimated 844 million vaping devices are discarded annually, significantly contributing to the invisible e-waste category.
• Economic Significance: The material value of invisible e-waste is estimated at about USD 9.5 billion each year, primarily due to valuable components like iron, copper, and gold.
• Global E-Waste Management: Globally, only a small fraction of e-waste is properly collected, treated, and recycled. Collection rates vary widely across regions, with the majority of e-waste ending up in landfills or being improperly treated.
• Environmental Risks: Improper disposal of invisible e-waste poses substantial environmental risks, as hazardous components like lead, mercury, and cadmium can contaminate soil and water.

Recommendations from the Study:

• Unlocking Recycling Potential: Invisible e-waste represents an untapped resource with significant economic recovery potential. There is an urgent need to raise awareness about the recycling of valuable materials in this category.
• Economic Value: The total value of raw materials in global e-waste amounted to an estimated USD 57 billion in 2019. A substantial portion, around USD 9.5 billion in material value annually, falls under the invisible e-waste category.
• Awareness and Recycling: Raising awareness is crucial to unlock the recycling potential of invisible e-waste and meet the growing demand for materials in various strategic sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, industry, communications, aerospace, and defense.

Provisions regarding E-waste in India

The provisions regarding E-waste management in India are outlined in various rules and regulations. Here are the key provisions:

E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016:

• Enacted in 2017, this rule covers over 21 products listed in Schedule-I.
• It includes Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and other mercury-containing lamps.
• The rules emphasize Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for manufacturers and producers to take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products.

E-waste (Management and Handling) Regulations of 2010:

• These regulations were issued under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.
• The main feature was the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which makes manufacturers responsible for the collection and environmentally sound disposal of their end-of-life products.

E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022:

• These updated rules were introduced with the aim of digitizing the e-waste management process and enhancing visibility.
• They restrict the use of hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, in manufacturing electrical and electronic equipment to reduce their adverse impact on human health and the environment.
• Introduces a Deposit Refund Scheme, where producers charge an additional amount as a deposit during the sale of electrical and electronic equipment and refund it, along with interest, when the end-of-life equipment is returned.

About the WEEE Forum:

• The WEEE Forum is the most extensive global center of expertise for managing “waste electrical and electronic equipment” (WEEE).
• Founded in April 2002, it is a not-for-profit organization composed of 46 WEEE producer responsibility organizations worldwide.

Mission and Benefits:

• The WEEE Forum’s mission is to enhance operational knowledge in WEEE management.
• It fosters collaboration and sharing of best practices among its members.
• By offering access to a knowledge base toolbox, the WEEE Forum supports its members in improving their operations.
• The organization helps its members become advocates for the circular economy and sustainable electronic waste management.

-Source: Down To Earth