E-Waste: Current Scenario, Risks And Management Approaches

Abstract

The accelerated gro th of information and communication technologies, together with increasingly shorter life spans of electronic products, has resulted in a sharp rise in electronic waste (e-waste) across the lobe. Although e-waste is a rich source of recoverable materials, including valuable precious metals, it also contains toxic ubstances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. When these materials are not properly handled or disposed of, they present serious threats to environmental quality and human health. This review analyzes the global and regional status of e-waste generation, its environmental and health consequences, and the prevailing methods used for its management. It discusses sustainable approaches, policy initiatives, and emerging technological solutions designed to enhance e-waste processing a d resource recovery. The volume of e-waste is expanding rapidly, driven by growing consumer demand for electronic devices and rapid technological obsolescence. Items such as mobile phones and batteries constitute a significant proportion of this waste stream, particularly in developing nations. In India, the fast-growing information technology and electronics industries have substantially increased the generation of e-waste, turning its management into a critical environmental and public health concern. Inadequate disposal methods and the dominance of informal recycling practices intensify environmental contamination and pose severe occupational health risks. Additionally, many developing countries encounter further challenges due to the illegal transboundary movement of e-waste, often misrepresented as second-hand electronic equipment. This review evaluates existing e-waste management systems and identifies gaps that need to be addressed. It outlines future pathways for sustainable e-waste management, emphasizing the importance of robust policy enforcement, technological advancements, and increased public awareness. The review covers sources and composition of e-waste, key facts, harmf l impacts, recycling and recovery strategies, Indian and global scenarios, associated risks, management practices, ongoing challenges, and future prospects.