Abstract
In the last few decades, the rapid technological evolution has led to a growing generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Not rarely, it has been exported from industrialized to developing countries, where it represents a secondary source of valuable materials such as gold, copper, and silver. The recycling of WEEE is often carried out without any environmental and health protection. This paper reviews recent literature dealing with the informal treatment of WEEE in developing regions, gathering and analyzing data on concentration of both inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment. Open burning practices are revealed as most polluting ‘technology’, followed by mechanical treatment and leaching. Significant levels of pollutants have been detected in human bodies, both children and adults, working in or living in areas with informal WEEE treatment.
Highlights
In the recent decades, technology has largely contributed to the improvement of the quality of life, providing several benefits and opportunities in a variety of areas
It can be noted that one site has the highest values for many heavy metals: the informal e-waste recycling area of Agbogbloshie, in Accra (Ghana) [67], in particular for As, Hg, Pb, and Zn
It can be noted that one site has the highest values for many heavy metals: the Taizhou informal e-waste recycling site in
Summary
Technology has largely contributed to the improvement of the quality of life, providing several benefits and opportunities in a variety of areas. Its rapid evolution has led to the fast disposal of a number of electric and electronic devices, referred to as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). WEEE stands as the residual stream characterized by the highest annual generation rate [1]. In 2016, the global production of WEEE was 44.7 million tons (Mt) and it is expected to exceed. 50 million tons in 2021; only one-third of the WEEE generated is documented to be properly collected [2] and destined to recycling, in accordance with the legislative framework disciplining waste management in most high income countries. Asia is the greatest producer of WEEE (18.2 Mt), followed by Europe (12.3 Mt), the Americas (11.3 Mt), Africa (2.2 Mt), and Oceania (0.7 Mt). Notwithstanding, the smallest overall generation, Oceania is reported as the region with the greatest specific waste generation
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