E-Waste Recycling

Electronic waste management

The keys to success in electronic waste management are:

• Develop eco-design devices where possible
• Properly collect electronic waste
• Recover and recycle by safe methods
• Dispose of e-waste by suitable techniques
• Forbid the transfer of used electronic devices to developing countries
• Raise awareness of the impact of e-waste

No single tool is adequate, but they can complement each other to solve this issue.

The management of e-waste is governed by various regulations and laws, such as the Basel Convention and the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. These regulations aim to ensure that e-waste is managed in an environmentally responsible way and to reduce the potential negative impacts of e-waste on human health and the environment.

E-waste management can also be done by certified e-waste recycling companies, They handle the collection, transportation, sorting, disassembly, recycling and proper disposal of e-waste in an environmentally friendly way. This can help to ensure that e-waste is managed in a safe and responsible manner.

How do we recycle electronic waste?

The best guide to recycling electronics is to start by finding a certified e-waste recycler.

Industry certification programs have set requirements for safer disposal and recycling of electronic waste. These programs include guidelines that define effective and responsible e-waste management:

• The R2:2013 Standard - The latest version of R2, the electronics recycling industry's leading certification
• The Recycling Industry Operating Standard™ (RIOS™) – The recycling industry's management system standard for quality, environment, and health & safety (QEH&S)
• The e-Stewards initiative - A global team of individuals, institutions, businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies upholding a safe, ethical, and globally responsible standard for e-waste recycling and refurbishment. 

The e-waste recycling process

E-waste recycling is challenging because discarded electronics are advanced devices manufactured from varying proportions of plastics, metals, and glass.

The specific recycling process varies depending upon materials being recycled by e-waste recyclers and the employed technologies.

• Collection: E-waste is collected from homes, businesses, and other sources. This can be done through curbside pick-up programs, drop-off centers, or special e-waste collection events.

• Sorting: The collected e-waste is sorted by type of device, brand, and condition. This is done to ensure that the e-waste is of a consistent quality and composition.
• Disassembly: The sorted e-waste is then disassembled to separate the valuable materials from the toxic chemicals. This is done by trained technicians who use specialized tools and equipment.
• Shredding: The disassembled e-waste is then shredded into small pieces to make it easier to handle and sort.
• Separation: The shredded e-waste is then separated into different materials, such as metals, plastics, and glass. This is done using a combination of mechanical and manual processes.
• Recycling: The separated materials are then recycled or repurposed. Metals can be melted and reused, plastics can be recycled into new products, and glass can be crushed and used to make new glass products.

Treatment and disposal of dangerous materials and wastes - The remaining toxic part includes mercury, lead, and arsenic which need to be disposed of responsibly. These are lethal substances that could contaminate the soil and groundwater to disastrous consequences.

Challenges for the electronics recycling industry and e-waste recycling centers

• Exports to developing nations – A primary concern is the illegal export of e-waste to countries with lower environmental standards.
• Less valuable materials - Although the volume of e-waste increases rapidly, the quality of e-waste is decreasing. Currently, it's a case of growing disassembly challenges combined with reducing incentives.
• Controlling chemical exposures - Even in the high-tech formal e-waste recycling centers, challenges remain in assessing and managing chemical exposures regularly found in this industry.
• Most E-waste goes to landfills and incinerators - More e-waste ends up in our landfills and incinerators than is being recycled, although recycling numbers continue to rise.
• Re-use - Re-use should be viewed as reactionary to the current trend of devices being disposed of much earlier than necessary and is about optimizing the use phase of devices.