E-waste Management Research Articles

Big Data Analytics and Innovation in the Sustainable Performance of Electronic Waste Reverse Logistics: An Empirical Study in India

Abstract Electronic waste (e-waste), encompassing discarded electrical and electronic devices, demands effective reverse logistics management to ensure optimal resource use and environmental preservation. Despite growing interest in Big Data Analytics within the scientific community, its slow practical implementation in e-waste management and the absence of validated measurement models hinder both industry adoption and empirical studies. To address these challenges and drawing upon the Resource-Capability-Advantage (RCA) theory, this study aims to investigate the interplay between Big Data Analytics (BDA) management capabilities, BDA talent capabilities, Reverse Logistics (RL) innovation, and sustainable RL performance. A conceptual model was tested using primary data from practitioners and managers in India’s e-waste reverse logistics network, with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as the primary analytical method. The results highlight the multifaceted contributions of Big Data Analytics Management and Talent Capabilities to Reverse Logistics Innovation and Sustainable Reverse Logistics Performance.

Deep Learning for Sustainable E-Waste Management: Leveraging Transfer Learning for Classification

The rapid rise of electronic waste (commonly referred to as "e-waste") has become a world's growing challenge which should be managed by creative approaches. The number of e-waste produced is estimated to be 53.6 million metric tons in 2019. From this we can see that the seriousness of the issue direly calls upon taking the measures to prevent the environmental and public health risks associated with this expanding crisis [1]. Since a lot of the e-waste may contain hazardous materials such as mercury, lead and cadmium, which can impact the health and the environment if not treated properly, the mismanagement of it increases the problem [2]. In the case of e-waste, there is wide assortment of the electronic devices and components hence, it becomes difficult to classify them into their product categories properly. Sorting processes can't keep up with the pace of production waste as a result of being tedious, error-prone, and slow. This research employs deep learning approaches to segregate E-waste items using images for automated category. Utilizing contemporary models like VGG16, DenseNet121, InceptionV3, MobileNetV3, and ResNet50, the research designs classification systems that have these great attributes. Dataset building (training and assessment) become easy when an extensive dataset of 3000 images from 10 different types of equipment is developed. This research study helps to offer useful implications for managing current methods of electronic waste disposal and developing sustainable circular economies with quantitative analyzing of model performance factors that include accuracy, precision, F1- score, mean squared error (MSE), and mean absolute error (MAE).

E-waste challenges of generative artificial intelligence.

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) requires substantial computational resources for model training and inference, but the electronic-waste (e-waste) implications of GAI and its management strategies remain underexplored. Here we introduce a computational power-driven material flow analysis framework to quantify and explore ways of managing the e-waste generated by GAI, with a particular focus on large language models. Our findings indicate that this e-waste stream could increase, potentially reaching a total accumulation of 1.2-5.0 million tons during 2020-2030, under different future GAI development settings. This may be intensified in the context of geopolitical restrictions on semiconductor imports and the rapid server turnover for operational cost savings. Meanwhile, we show that the implementation of circular economy strategies along the GAI value chain could reduce e-waste generation by 16-86%. This underscores the importance of proactive e-waste management in the face of advancing GAI technologies.

Green Gold: Using Bacteria to Extract Valuable Metals from E-Waste

The rapid proliferation of electronic devices has led to a substantial increase in electronic waste (e- waste), which contains valuable metals and hazardous substances. Traditional recycling methods, reliant on chemical processes, are often inefficient and environmentally damaging. This study investigates bioleaching, a process that employs bacteria to extract metals from e-waste, as a more sustainable alternative. By utilizing bacteria such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, bioleaching promises to recover valuable metals like gold, silver, and copper while minimizing environmental harm. The research focuses on optimizing bacterial strains and environmental conditions to enhance metal recovery rates and reduce processing times. A comparative analysis with traditional recycling methods highlights bioleaching’s potential benefits and challenges. The study also examines the feasibility of scaling bioleaching for industrial applications and assesses its overall environmental impact. Findings suggest that bioleaching could offer an eco-friendly solution to e-waste management, contributing to more sustainable recycling practices and resource conservation.

PBDEs and dechlorane plus contamination in community e-waste recycling: Environmental and health implications in Northeastern Thailand

Electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant environmental and health risks in Thailand due to both domestic production and international imports. A notable portion of this waste is processed in small-scale, community-based workshops, often located in poorer regions, where safety regulations are improperly enforced or entirely ignored. This study focuses on the Kalasin province in Northern Thailand, a region with numerous such workshops, where no comprehensive analysis of exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DP) has been conducted. The study's objective was to quantify these toxic substances in environmental and biological samples to assess its contamination and human health risks. Environmental samples, including soil, dust, sediment, ash, eggs, crabs, snails, fish, and rice, were collected from e-waste processing sites and compared with control areas. Blood samples from e-waste workers and a control group were also analysed. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry operated in negative ion chemical ionization (GC-NCI-MS) was used to quantify PBDEs and DP isomers. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of these toxic compounds in e-waste sites compared to control areas. E-waste workers also had elevated levels of these substances in their blood, suggesting exposure through contaminated dust and food. These findings underscore the severe environmental contamination and health risks associated with improper e-waste management, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures and improved recycling practices to safeguard both environmental and public health.

Pathways to Sustainability: Empowering Indigenous Communities through Recycling Education

Recycling is a critical component of sustainable waste management, helping to conserve resources, reduce pollution, and mitigate climate change. Despite its importance, awareness, and participation in recycling activities remain low, particularly among indigenous populations who often have limited exposure to modern environmental practices. This study investigates the impact of a recycling awareness program conducted within an indigenous community in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. The program included a pre-program survey to assess participants' awareness, understanding, and participation in recycling activities, followed by an educational session on general recycling practices and e-waste management. A post-program survey was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the program. The use of paired sample t-tests reveals significant improvements in participants' knowledge and attitudes toward recycling. The findings provide compelling evidence that targeted educational programs can significantly enhance recycling awareness and participation within Indigenous communities, contributing to broader environmental sustainability goals. The study underscores the need for the implementation of similar programs in other less exposed communities as well as continuous engagement and collaboration with local authorities to sustain and expand recycling initiatives.

Feasibility of Employing mHealth in Delivering Preventive Nutrition Interventions Targeting the First 1000 Days of Life: Experiences from a Community-Based Cluster Randomised Trial in Rural Bangladesh.

An Android platform-based customised app and web-linked system was developed to aid in implementing selected nutrition interventions by community health workers (CHWs) in a community-based cluster randomised trial (c-RCT) in rural Bangladesh. Here, we describe the architecture of the intervention delivery system, and explore feasibility of employing mHealth as CHWs' job aid, employing a mixed-method study design covering 17 visits per mother-child dyad. We analysed CHWs' real-time visit information from monitoring and documentation data, and CHWs' qualitative interviews to explore the advantages and barriers of using mHealth as a job aid. Intervention coverage was high across the arms (>90%), except around the narrow perinatal period (51%) due to mothers' cultural practice of moving to their parents' homes and/or hospitals for childbirth. CHWs mentioned technical and functional advantages of the job aid including device portability, easy navigability of content, pictorial demonstration that improved communication, easy information entry, and automated daily scheduling of tasks. Technical challenges included charging tablets, especially in power cut-prone areas, deteriorated battery capacity over continuous device usage, unstable internet network in unsupportive weather conditions, and device safety. Nevertheless, onsite supervision and monitoring by expert supervisors remained important to ensure intervention quality. With appropriate training and supervision, CHWs utilised the tablet-based app proficiently, attaining high coverage of long-term visits. mHealth was thus useful for designing, planning, scheduling, and delivering nutrition interventions through CHWs, and for monitoring and supervision by supervisors. Therefore, this application and job aid can be adopted or replicated into the currently developing national health systems platform for improving coverage and quality of preventive maternal and child nutrition services. In addition, continuous supportive supervision by skilled supervisors must be accompanied to ensure CHWs' task quality. Finally, future studies should rigorously assess undesirable health and environmental effects of mHealth before and after mainstreaming, effective interventions addressing device-induced health hazards should be designed and scaled up, and effective e-waste management must be ensured.

Heavy metal contamination of the Nigerian environment from e-waste management: A systematic review of exposure pathway and attendant pathophysiological implications

Nigerian environment has become a depository of worrisome levels of toxicants including heavy metals. Electrical and electronic equipment which leads to the generation of e-waste is one of the considerable sources of environmental contaminants in Nigeria. This systematic review deployed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method to analyze various empirical and quantitative outputs on heavy metal components of e-waste management sites in Nigeria and investigated the distribution of heavy metals in several environmental matrices such as soil, water, surface dust, plant and blood of e-waste scavengers. Also, the probable environmental multi-transformation that ultimately potentiates the susceptibility of humans to the pathophysiological effects and genetic related disorders of exposure to heavy metal component of e-waste was discussed. The relative abundance of metals in soils due to inappropriate e-waste handling is given as follow: Fe>Cu>Pb>Zn>Mn>Co>Cr>Ni>As>Cd, in underground and surface water: Zn>Fe>Cu>Cr>Mn>Pb>Hg>Ni>Co>Cd>As; in surface dusts: Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Mn>Cr>Ni>Cd>Co; in plants: Pb>Cu>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cr>Cd obtained from the Nigerian environment. Moreso, the estimated abundance of heavy metals in the blood of e-waste scavengers is Nigeria is given as Cr>Cd>Hg>Zn>As>Pb>Cu>Mn>Fe. Conclusively, this study does not only show that various matrices of Nigerian environment is contaminated with heavy metal but also that the pattern of abundance differ in the environment and in biological systems with the latter having the abundance of Pb, Cr and Cd and the former having the abundance of Cu, Zn and Fe.

E-waste management in achieving SDGS in Negara Brunei Darussalam: Maqasid Shariah Perspective

‘Electronic waste’, ‘Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment’ or commonly known as ‘E-waste’ or ‘WEEE’ is referred to any electrical object or equipment that no longer possesses any value which has been disposed of by its owner. As other unused items, E-waste, which has not been used and thrown away as waste without being intended for reuse, becomes becomes a big problem to contemporary life. Due to its complex chemical component and inorganic toxic material, E-waste requires special treatment and management different from that of conventional waste. Incorporating e-waste management into the framework of Maqasid of the Shariah provides a holistic approach to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Brunei. By harmonizing the protection of religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth with sustainability principles, this approach not only tackles the environmental challenges associated with e-waste but also ensures the well-being of the community in a manner that is in line with the Islamic teachings. To carry out a detailed analysis of e-waste management in achieving SDGs in Negara Brunei Darussalam, a qualitative approach is adopted in order to fulfil the research objectives and a semi-structured interview method is used by the researchers. A total of 10 employees from 6 organizations (inclusive of both government and private sector) were interviewed. The results have shown issues, problems and threats posed by e-waste with time consuming, health concerns, and a lack of awareness to be the main highlights. Aside, an effort from the government body in introducing the ‘Extender Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme’ in handling and managing e-waste was also discussed. By nurturing a culture of environmental responsibility, increasing awareness through education and implementing efficient waste management approaches, Brunei can not only address the immediate risks associated with e-waste but also contribute to the global pursuit of the SDGs in a way that is spiritually and materially rewarding.

The Impacts of ICT Gadgets on Climate Change and Mitigative Solutions

The widespread use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets, such as smartphones, computers, and data centers, plays a crucial role in modern society but also significantly contributes to climate change. These devices are responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and the generation of electronic waste (e-waste). As the global demand for ICT gadgets continues to grow, it is imperative to address their environmental impacts. This paper explores the various ways in which ICT gadgets influence climate change, highlighting the emissions from production and energy use, as well as the challenges posed by e-waste. Potential solutions included sustainable design and manufacturing practices, improvements in energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources, and the implementation of responsible e-waste management strategies. The paper has concluded that the importance of policy and regulatory measures to drive progress in mitigating the environmental footprint of ICT gadgets should be adhered to. Through a combination of technological innovation, policy intervention, and increased consumer awareness, it is possible to reduce the negative impacts of ICT gadgets on the environment and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

E-Waste Management Practices Through the Eyes of Responsible Departments at Malaysian Public Universities

Electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) has been identified as the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. In Malaysia, forecasts indicate that it will soon reach 24.5 million units of e-waste by the year 2025. Today, higher learning institutions also contribute to the rapidly growing threat of e-waste. Besides mobile phones, the usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment at universities keeps increasing and contributes to the increased quantity of e-waste, while the handling and disposal methods of e-waste still need to be improved. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current e-waste management system as well as to investigate the critical challenges constraining e-waste management at public universities in Malaysia. By using a qualitative approach, a number of interview sessions have been conducted with the responsible departments at six established public universities in Malaysia. It has been found that currently only e-waste generated from used electric and electronic equipment (EEE) which have been declared as university assets are being managed by the responsible departments at the six universities. All six universities are using the standard process of handling their e-waste since every single process needs to comply with the requirements of the Ministry of Finance (MOF). This remains the main constraint to flexibility or improvement of the current system. The universities are also facing some challenges, among others, lack of awareness and knowledge on how to properly handle e-waste among university citizens, no clear sustainable policy at the university, lack of facilities within the university compound to support the proper practice of e-waste disposal as well as lack of education and related training provided to the campus citizens. This paper also provides some recommendations for the improvement of e-waste management towards sustainability and offers an agenda for future research.

An Exploratory Study on E-Waste Reporting: A Review of Annual Reports from Malaysian Public Listed Companies

Electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a critical global issue due to the environmental and health impacts. Moreover, a significant portion remains unrecorded and improperly managed. Hence, effective e-waste management is crucial to mitigating associated risks and ensuring environmental sustainability. The current study examined e-waste reporting practices among Malaysian Public Listed Companies (PLCs), assessed PLC commitments to environmental sustainability, and explored the legitimacy theory in understanding e-waste reporting. This study focused on Malaysian PLCs. The sample comprises 114 PLCs distributed across various sectors, such as construction, consumer products and services, energy, financial services, healthcare, and technology, which represented 15% of the total population. A content analysis approach was employed to identify relevant information in annual reports. Subsequently, a categorisation scheme with eight content categories across four dimensions was adapted from previous research to analyse e-waste reporting practices. The findings revealed that the e-waste reporting among PLCs was low as the information was primarily declarative and neutral. Varying commitment levels were also observed across different sectors, which highlighted the communication methods of PLCs on e-waste management practices. The legitimacy theory was applied to appraise the factors contributing to e-waste reporting behaviours. The findings contributed to a deeper understanding of how different industries managed e-waste and valuable insights into the most optimal practices to be adopted across sectors. The study results also underscored the need for standardised reporting frameworks to enhance transparency and corporate responsibility towards environmental sustainability. Keywords: E-waste Reporting, Malaysian Public Listed Companies, Legitimacy Theory, Environmental Sustainability, Content Analysis

Formation of an electronic waste management system based on the use of key principles of the best available technologies

Abstract The article substantiates the expediency of the transition of modern industry from a development model based on economic growth to a model built on the principles of the best available technologies (BAT), including the industries responsible for waste management. This is especially true for e-waste management, which is one of the fastest growing categories of waste. Today in Russia, as a transitional stage to the principles of BAT, integrated environmental permits (IEP) issued to enterprises by Russian Environment Ministry are used, which are a document that, in accordance with Art. 31.1 of Federal Law No. 7-FL of January 10, 2002, “is issued for a separate facility that has a negative impact on the environment” and contains a number of requirements and standards enshrined in clause 10 of Article 31.1. Nevertheless, this process is tepid, which is associated both with the lack of development of the issuance procedure itself, and with the non-compliance of the companies’ technological processes with the standards for permissible emissions and discharges. The article formulates the principles that must be observed while issuing an IEP. The procedure for issuing IEPs is considered, its main stages are analyzed. Differences from the similar order in European countries are revealed. The dynamics of issuing IEP for the period from 2019 to 2022, including in the field of waste management, is analyzed. The existing problems in the implementation of waste management activities by regional operators are identified. The analysis and grouping of data on the generation, processing, disposal, neutralization, disposal of production and consumption waste, submitted by Russian companies in the report on the 2-TP form by federal districts, as well as by the category “electronic waste”, was carried out. The structure of these wastes was also analyzed according to hazard class. The increase of the highly hazardous waste mass was found although their share decreased over the specified period. The results obtained made it possible to formulate the most important directions for reforming the system for issuing environmental permits, considering the principles of BAT. Further research will be directed to the formation of a waste management system for the electronics industry at the regional level.

Systematic Literature Review on Machine Learning Deep Learning and IOT-based Model for E-Waste Management

This article provides a comprehensive review of existing research on machine learning, deep learning, and IoT-based models for smart e-waste management. The main objectives are to support research, facilitate other researchers in finding relevant studies, and propose future research areas within this domain. Additionally, it offers stakeholders, organizations, and government bodies valuable insights into smart e-waste management based on research-driven knowledge of implementation strategies. The review results indicate that the most frequently studied areas are motives, critical success factors, implementation status, and benefits. Each of these areas would benefit from further exploration.

E-Waste Management in Nam Theun 2 Power Company Limited: A Review of Issues, Challenges and Solutions

This paper reviews the e-waste management practices of Nam Theun 2 Power Company (NTPC), one of the leading power generation companies in Laos. The study focuses on the company's use of Total Environmental Solutions – Asset Material Management (TES-AMM), a leading e-waste recycling company, to manage their e-waste. In this paper, a mixed-methods research design has been applied, including a survey of employees and interviews with key stakeholders at NTPC, as well as document analysis to assess the company's compliance with the relevant regulations and standards. The results of the study indicate that NTPC has an effective e-waste management system in place that is compliant with the relevant regulations and standards, but it also highlights opportunities for improvement. The study also provides an overview of TES-AMM's e-waste recycling process, which is found to be in line with international standards. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the specific challenges and opportunities for improving e-waste management in the power generation industry part in Laos.

Health Education for Sustainable E-Waste Management

A combination of ever-increasing device usage and lightning-fast technological advancements has led to a critical problem: electronic waste. One technique to encourage people to dispose of their electronic waste in a more sustainable fashion is to raise their level of green literacy. Using a literature review approach, this study examines green literacy programs as they pertain to e-waste management. After that, it evaluates the programs' effectiveness and makes recommendations for further developments. This publication uses a thorough literature review technique as its research method. The scholarly sources used were journals, academic books, research reports, and policy documents. The selection of sources was based on their relevance, credibility, and contribution to understanding key themes related to green literacy, public health education, and behavior change in e-waste management practices. Additionally, the analysis focused on the intersection between educational interventions, awareness campaigns and global health initiatives, especially those targeting vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. The findings demonstrate that while green literacy can raise public knowledge and comprehension of the significance of responsible e-waste management, there are still obstacles to its widespread adoption. By using social media, communities, and educational institutions, green literacy has the potential to raise awareness about the risks of e-waste and the significance of recycling. However, challenges such as public apathy and limited access to recycling facilities continue to impede the implementation of green literacy. The community, along with the governmental and private sectors, must work together to address these issues and encourage the sustainable disposal of electronic trash. Ongoing education and awareness efforts utilizing many communication platforms, including social media, the media, and educational programs in communities and schools, are necessary to improve e-waste management. In order to create easily accessible recycling facilities and launch programs that reach different societal levels, the government must collaborate with the commercial sector and non-governmental organizations.

Policy pathways to sustainable E-waste management: A global review

Electronic waste (E-waste) is a critical challenge of today's period, with around 57 million tons generated in 2021, of which only about 9 million tons were properly recycled, E-waste tends to affect the globe with issue like, illegal recycling, improper landfill disposal, illicit exports and others. Addressing this issue requires sustained, well-structured efforts, with effective policy interventions which are key towards reducing E-waste, by providing a framework for minimizing its generation and safeguarding the environment. These policies can ensure proper disposal methods, public awareness, device repair and refurbishment, and recycling rates with E-waste management monetizing the efforts of E-waste management startups. The study examines innovative E-waste policies across various countries which includes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), WEEE directives, regional laws, and State level laws, highlighting successful strategies such as incentivized recycling programs and stricter regulations on hazardous materials. The aim of the paper is to update information with an emphasis on global trends of E-waste, emphasizing the importance of robust policies in reducing environmental harm and lowering the cost of new electronics through efficient recycling.

Sustainable e-waste management in higher education institutions: case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

Sustainable e-waste management in higher education institutions: case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

E-waste Management Using Blockchain Technology

Introduction; Bridging the digital divide requires the provision of affordable, fair and quality ICT. With nearly two-thirds of the world’s population still offline, there is a need to provide affordable web access for everyone. For developing countries, increasing the popularity of information and communication technology has become the most important factor in reducing poverty. The danger of electrical and electronic waste disposal contains hazardous substances, but most of the electrical and electronic equipment is still disposed of in an unhealthy environment in the field development area, affecting the level of contamination in Water, Air and Soil ultimately affecting people’s health. Eliminating E-waste responsibility and protecting the environment is a challenge for countries. Smart cities can solve environmental problems through proper waste management for improving human health, protecting water resources, and reducing pollution. Objective; In this paper, we explore how blockchain technology can help smart cities to manage E-waste by providing consistency, immutability, transparency, and accountability control in a distributed, reliable, and secure manner. We discussed the advantages of blockchain technology in various aspects of E-waste management, such as instant tracking and monitoring, E-waste disposal and E-waste management regulation compliance, proper disposal management, E-waste management, and material handling, etc. All examples of disposal services, but in our study we have found that there is no fool proof system to check the disposal of E-waste whether it has been disposed off Fully or Partially. We mainly focused on the tracking of E-waste management system for 100% safe and eco-friendly disposal from the originating point of E-waste to end disposal point of total disposal. Methods; For this, we have used machine-learning model to find the existing percentage of disposal of E-waste at the end-point which reveals that it is never 100%. And partial disposal of E-waste means we have still partial E-waste around us in different forms, which will be a threat for the society to be indulged in hazardous after effects of randomly dumping E-waste.Results; After this we have modelled a Disposal Tracking System(DTS) using blockchain technology to create an E-waste data storage as Decentralized Shareable Ledger (DSL) which records the quantity and state of E-waste data from its originating point to a different level of disposal unit and finally reflect the balance of E-waste data as NIL at the end of last disposal point.Conclusion; This system will helpful for safe and ecofriendly E-waste management and it provides complete transparency and traceability of E-waste during the life cycle of complete disposal. After implementation of this system any district or Block or Village authority can ensure to its citizens for E-waste hazards free environment and safety of natural resources

Alumina-supported multi-metal catalyst for e-waste management for reclamation of valuable products

ABSTRACT Electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) has increased exponentially due to the humungous growth in the information technology and communication sector. Many multi-metal catalysts are developed by researchers for electronic waste plastic conversion into fuel products and recovery of valuable metals. In the present study, an Alumina-supported catalyst powder with selected transition metals metal oxides was prepared to improve the yield of hydrocarbon liquids. FESEM with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, XRD and laser diffraction particle size analysis were used to characterise catalysts. The shredded e-waste chips to catalyst weight ratio was maintained from 2:1 to 10:1 and studied. The experiments were conducted with a reaction temperature range from 300°C to 500°C. The produced fuel density was 0.88 kg/L, with 0.75 liquid fuel conversion and 71.7% overall liquid fuel yield. The light gas percentage was 4–6%. NMR analysis, bomb calorimetric study and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy of liquid fuel analysis suggest carbon chain compounds of C3–C20 hydrocarbon, indicating a mixture of petrol and diesel-like liquid products. The catalyst can be tuned to improve liquid fuel conversion. The liquid fuel product is promising for fuel use, however, upgrading treatments are needed to meet standard product specifications.