What is E-waste? Why Is Electronic Waste Management Important?

What is E-waste? Why Is Electronic Waste Management Important?
The world is rapidly digitalizing, and it is impossible to forestall this speed. An increasing number of electronic devices are becoming integrated into our daily lives. Telephones, computers, TVs, and other electronic devices are now indispensable parts of a modern life. However, these conveniences bring with them a serious issue: Electronic waste, i.e., e-waste. Devices that have reached the end of their economic lifespan or are ready for disposal present significant risks to both our environment and public health. Moreover, improper management of these resources adversely affects not only the environment but also economic assets.

In this post, we will provide an in-depth exploration of electronic waste, examining the magnitude of the problem, various management strategies, and the future implications of this issue. It is high time to raise our awareness about e-waste for more conscious individuals and a more sustainable world.

What is Electronic Waste (E-waste)?
Electronic waste, also called e-waste, encompasses all electronic devices that are no longer operational or have been disposed of due to malfunction. Devices, such as old telephones, unused TVs, end-of-life computers, malfunctioning small home appliances, are included in this category. E-waste usually stand out due to valuable materials and hazardous materials they contain. These devices have a recycling potential, but they also contain elements that may create risks for the environment and human health. The disposal of these devices results in the release of toxic metals, including cadmium, mercury, and lead, which contribute to environmental pollution. The presence of these metals in the environment presents a threat to human health through the food chain. Recyclable waste represents a missed economic opportunity.

Check out our blog post to get further details on hazardous wastes.

Types of Electronic Waste
E-waste is divided into different categories. For example:

• Consumer Electronics: Telephones, computers, tablets.
• Domestic Appliances: Refrigerators, washing machines, ovens.
• Small Electronics: Toasters, microwaves, hair dryers.
• Industrial Electronics: Big-scale machines, medical devices.

Why Is Electronic Waste Management Important?
Electronic waste is not just piles of garbage. They contain valuable metals, including gold, silver, and copper. However, most of these wastes are discarded without recycling. Millions of tons of e-waste are generated across the world every year, and a very small part of this amount is correctly managed and separated. In other words, this is not just an environmental problem, it also means a great economic loss.

Environmental Impacts of E-waste Problem
The improper management of electronic waste has significant long-term repercussions for the environment. Heavy metals present in a computer that has not undergone recycling, for example, can leak into the soil and water. These metals create permanent pollution in the environment. Plastic particles can persist in the environment for centuries, releasing toxic substances that can adversely affect living organisms. Improper recycling methods used in the developing countries enhance this impact even more.

Impacts of E-waste on Human Health
Chemical substances found in electronic waste have direct impacts on human health. Toxic materials, particularly mercury, lead, and cadmium, create severe damage on both the nervous system and immune system. These materials can cause many health problems, from respiratory diseases to cancer. E-waste workers represent one of the most vulnerable groups due to their direct exposure to these hazardous chemicals.

Economic Dimension of E-waste
Electronic waste also holds significant value as an economic resource. They can be reintroduced into the economy through recycling processes due to the valuable materials they contain. However, a significant portion of electronic waste generated globally is disposed of without undergoing recycling processes. This means great loss, not only for the environment, but also in terms of economic resources.

E-waste Management and Sustainability
Electronic waste management is one of the critical steps for a sustainable future. An effective management system can prevent e-waste from causing harm to the environment and human health. Recycling processes can also be used to produce economic revenue.

• Sustainable Development: E-waste management is an important part of sustainable development goals. The successful execution of waste management practices is essential for safeguarding resources and maintaining ecological equilibrium. Recycling electronic devices reduces the raw material need for new products and provides energy saving.

• Energy and Resource Saving: The extraction of metals from one ton of electronic waste requires significantly less energy than the extraction of metals from newly opened mines. This approach not only promotes energy conservation but also substantially mitigates environmental harm.

Solutions and Strategies for E-waste Management
Technologies used to recycle e-waste across the world underwent a great transformation in recent years. Conventional methods are increasingly replaced with more efficient, eco-friendly, and advanced technologies. Here are some of the methods emerging in the field of recycling technologies:

1. Mechanical Separation Technologies: Mechanical separation involves physical separation of e-waste. In this procedure, electronic waste is initially broken down into smaller components, after which it is sorted into various materials such as metals, plastics, and glass, utilizing specialized machinery. Magnetic separators are frequently employed for the recovery of metals, whereas air separators are utilized to classify plastics based on their varying densities.

2. Chemical Processing Technologies: Chemical processing involves separating valuable metals and other elements found in e-waste with the help of solvents or acids. This is an effective method particularly in recovering metals, such as gold, silver, and copper. Hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy come to the fore among chemical processing methods:

• Hydrometallurgy: Dissolving and recovering metals using acid or base solutions.
• Pyrometallurgy: Separating metals using melting processes at high temperatures.

These methods create less environmental impact compared to conventional mining and reduce energy consumption. However, inadequate planning of chemical waste management can also create new problems for the environment.

3. Biotechnological Methods: Biotechnology emerges as a revolutionary method in e-waste recycling. This process, also known as ‘biological separation’ or ‘biometal recovery’, involves separating metals using microorganisms. Some bacteria facilitate purification process by dissolving metals.

4. Advanced Automation and Artificial Intelligence Utilization: Utilization of automation systems and artificial intelligence in recycling facilities enhances the efficiency of e-waste separation process. E-waste is sorted according to their types with the help of robotic arms, cameras, and sensors. Systems supported by AI analyze the contents of e-waste to determine the most appropriate recycling method.

​Check out our blog post to get further details on AI technologies and sustainability.

E-waste Reduction Methods
E-waste reduction is as critical as e-waste management. Numerous strategies can be adopted by both individuals and organizations to prolong the lifespan of electronic devices and minimize waste production.

1. Durable and Sustainable Designs: It is essential for electronics manufacturers to design their devices in a manner that extends their economic lifespan and facilitates easy repairs.

2. Repair and Reuse: It is important to encourage the culture of repair and reuse in order to prevent electronic devices to be discarded due to small malfunctions. Projects such as repair workshops or community-based ‘repair libraries’ can help individuals in repairing their own devices. For example:

• Repair Café Movement: This movement, which is increasingly becoming popular across the globe, enables individuals to repair their devices free of charge.

3. Second-hand Use and Donation: Buying or selling second-hand electronic devices can significantly reduce e-waste production. Selling second-hand products via online platforms can provide both economic and environmental gains. Moreover, donating devices that are still functional can enable re-utilization of these devices.

4. Social Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness on e-waste contributes significantly to resolving the problem. Training programs and campaigns to be organized by municipalities and non-governmental organizations can encourage individuals to correctly manage their e-waste.

5. Making Recycling A Habit: Individuals should be encouraged to bring their old devices to recycling points instead of discarding them in the garbage. Moreover, increasing the number of collection boxes and e-waste centers can facilitate this process.

Electronic Waste Management in the World and Türkiye
The European Union’s WEEE directive is recognized as one of the most successful regulations in this field. However, local governments and private sector should take on a more proactive role in the field of e-waste management in Türkiye.

Each year, Türkiye generates hundreds of thousands of tons of electronic waste. However, the recycling rate is quite low. One of the primary factors contributing to this issue is the insufficient infrastructure for collection and recycling. Furthermore, individuals' awareness regarding e-waste remains insufficiently advanced.

In big cities, such as Istanbul, e-waste collection regulations and centers are now being developed. District municipalities also offer e-waste collection services.

These kinds of projects raise social awareness while also ensuring recycling e-waste.

‘Don’t Discard, Donate’ project carried out by the Education Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye (TEGV) aims to mitigate negative impacts of e-waste on the environment as well as to create social benefits. The project ensures recycling of unused e-waste by collecting these from homes and work places, and the revenue generated from this process is allocated to support high-quality education for children at TEGV. Click here to join the campaign or to learn more.

The Future of Electronic Waste
The future of electronic waste management is based on the circular economy models. The issue of electronic waste can be addressed through the implementation of more sustainable designs by manufacturers, the promotion of mindful purchasing decisions by consumers, and the establishment of effective policies by governments.

Electronic waste management is critical for environmental sustainability and economic development. Steps to be taken both on individual and corporate levels can create great difference for our future. You can contribute to a cleaner future by managing your e-waste in a correct manner.