E-waste Management Research Articles

LiCoO2 impregnated nano-hierarchical ZSM-5 assisted catalytic upgrading of Kraft lignin-derived liquefaction bio-oil.

In this study, Kraft lignin-derived bio-oil was upgraded with LiCoO2 or Co3O4-impregnated hierarchical nano-ZSM-5 catalysts. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by N2-Ads-Des, XRD, XPS, NH3-TPD, FTIR, FESEM and ICP-OES analyses. Upon incorporation of LiCoO2 and Co3O4 onto the HZSM-5 support, the MFI structure of HZSM-5 remained intact. All the catalysts displayed a combination of Type-I and -IV isotherms. The upgraded bio-oil showed a significant increase in the amounts of alkylated guaiacols owing to the reduction in unsubstituted guaiacols, alkenyl guaiacols, and homovanillic acid. Hydrogenation, alkylation, and deoxygenation were the plausible bio-oil upgrading pathways. With the increase in cobalt content, weak acidity decreased through all the catalysts, while LiCoO2 provided supplementary acid sites that increased the total acidity of LiCoO2/HZSM-5 compared to the Co3O4/HZSM-5 catalyst. LiCoO2/HZSM-5 with a low cobalt content (5% and 10% Co) displayed high selectivity for the production of alkylated guaiacols owing to their strong acidity. The upgraded bio-oils showed an increase in carbon and hydrogen followed by a decrease in oxygen content. The maximum higher heating value (∼29.83 MJ kg-1) was obtained for the 10% Co (LiCoO2)/HZSM-5 catalyst. In general, LiCoO2/HZSM-5 outperformed the Co3O4/HZSM-5 catalyst. XRD of the spent 10% Co (LiCoO2)/HZSM-5 suggested the complete loss of lithium from the catalyst with the retention of the MFI structure of the HZSM-5 support. In this study, it was successfully demonstrated that the main constituent of the cathode material of spent lithium-ion batteries i.e. LiCoO2 could be employed to synthesize a novel and cheap catalyst for bio-oil upgrading while addressing the e-waste management issue in a sustainable manner.

An Empirical Analysis on Present Status of E-waste Management Awareness in Chitwan District, Nepal

The study aims to assess the current status of E-waste management awareness in Chitwan District. The electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing waste rivulets in the world. The increasing “market penetration” in developing countries, “replacement market” in developed countries and “high obsolescence rate” make e-waste as one of the fastest growing waste streams. Environmental issues and trade associated with e-waste at local, national and international level have driven many countries to introduce interventions. It has become an urgent need of the hour to know the awareness level of e-waste management at Chitwan. The exploratory and descriptive survey research method have been adopted in the study. The responses have been taken from the people of Chitwan using convenient sampling method. The survey research design has been used in the study. The 5-point Likert scale has been used to measure the awareness of e-waste management in Chitwan district. The study concluded that e-waste management awareness is mainly important because a few electronic and industrial elements are difficult to dispose of or recycle. When it comes to e-waste, it is important for people to be aware of the increasing threat and secure disposal and their impacts on socio-economic values as well as health and environment. A growing amount of e-waste is not considered to be products that have stopped working or become obsolete. Technological advances are coming at us at such a dizzying speed that a lot of electronic devices that still work fine are the ones considered obsolete. The main finding of this study is that the respondents consider e-waste management as an eco-friendly practice. Government of Nepal does not have adequate managing policies regarding e-waste. The study has been focused to understand the e-waste recycling status in Nepal and the concept of 3R’S (reduce, reuse and recycle) should be implemented as soon as possible.

Evaluation of health risk associated with consumption of food crops from electronic waste dumpsite using albino Wistar rat’s model: Bayelsa state Nigeria case study

The alterations in some important health biomarkers associated with consumption of food crops harvested near E-waste dumpsite in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, was evaluated. Samples of soil, plant, water and sea foods were collected around E-waste dumpsites and control sites for laboratory screening. A standard animal feed was formulated (control group), and the feed formulated from plants harvested from e-waste dumpsites was used to feed the experimental animals (Test group) for a period of three months. The formulated feeds were screened for toxic metals using atomic absorption spectrometry. The study comprises of twenty-eight animals (fourteen each of male and female) of albino wistar strain, weighing 50-100g were divided into two groups of fourteen animals each. Health biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, TNF alpha, creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine phosphatase (ALP), platelet count, and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated in both groups. Toxic metals content of samples collected from the E-waste dumpsite revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of Cd, Co, Ni and Pb, which exceeded WHO permissible limits, compared with the control (p<0.05) site. Significant (p<0.05) differences between the test and control group for serum C-reactive protein, TNF alpha, creatinine concentrations, ALT, AST, ALP activities, platelet count, and oxidative stress parameters of the test group were all significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control group, suggesting the presence of oxidative stress trigger(s) among animals in the test group and these results were further affirmed by the histology results as presented. Conclusively, this study highlighted a strong correlation between consumption of food crops cultivated near E-wastes dumpsites and potential associated health risks. Hence, demands public awareness and a call on governments and concerned regulatory bodies to ensure and enforce ethical E-waste management and disposal practices to minimize E-waste exposure and toxicity.

Brazil’s Formal E-Waste Recycling System: From Disposal to Reverse Manufacturing

This study investigates the post-regulation scenario of waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) reverse logistics in Florianópolis, an island in southern Brazil, following Decree N° 10240/2020. Employing a case study approach, involving observation and semi-structured interviews, the research explores key stakeholders’ roles. The results indicate collaborative efforts among the municipal cleaning service provider, recycler, and manager entity, supporting effective e-waste take-back systems. This cooperation not only strengthens the formal recycling market but also yields socio-environmental benefits. The study reveals that optimal outcomes arise from the collaboration between the public cleaning service provider and the business sector, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. Concerning e-waste value recovery, there is a notable inclination to extend the life cycle of small equipment, emphasizing reuse and remanufacture cycles, while larger electrical and electronic items follow to recycling and recovery cycles. In summary, this research contributes to aligning stakeholders in e-waste reverse logistics, emphasizing compliance with legislation and fostering a deeper understanding of roles, functions, and alliances. The study provides a strategic and structured perspective on e-waste management in a city renowned for selective waste collection and considered a national benchmark for reverse logistics, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

An Integrated Approach for Electronic Waste Management—Overview of Sources of Generation, Toxicological Effects, Assessment, Governance, and Mitigation Approaches

Electronic waste (e-waste) management has become a significant challenge in recent years due to the increasing consumption of electronic devices and their improper disposal. Effective e-waste management requires a comprehensive approach that considers the environmental, economic, and social impacts of e-waste. This comprehensive review provides a critical assessment of e-waste management procedures, encompassing the stages of collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal. Emphasising the significance of embracing sustainable approaches like reusing, repairing, and recycling, the review underscores their pivotal role in mitigating the adverse environmental and human health effects of e-waste. This review provides an overview of e-waste management concerns specifically in India from its collection to the end cycle including toxicological, environmental, and human impacts and a graphical analysis of current and future e-waste trends. It emphasises the need to effectively enforce regulations and establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) to promote sustainable e-waste management practices. Additionally, the review delves into the complexities surrounding e-waste management, such as insufficient infrastructure, resource and funding constraints, and a dearth of awareness among stakeholders. It strongly underscores the necessity for a concerted endeavour involving governments, industries, and communities to tackle these obstacles and advance the cause of efficient e-waste management practices. This paper is valuable to the scientific community as it offers a thorough assessment of e-waste management, focusing on environmental, economic, and social impacts. It emphasises sustainable practices and regulatory measures, providing actionable insights to address e-waste challenges. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of e-waste management and highlights the importance of adopting sustainable practices to address the negative impacts of e-waste on the environment, human health, and the economy.

A systematic review on sustainable E-waste management: challenges, circular economy practices, and a conceptual framework

PurposeWaste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, collectively known as E-waste, remains a persistent environmental, economic and social problem. Sustainable E-waste management (EWM) has numerous benefits, such as preventing electronic waste from entering landfills, reducing the need for virgin materials by recovering valuable materials from recycling and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Circular economy (CE) practices are considered the initial steps toward sustainable EWM, but some hurdles have been reported in the adoption of these practices. Therefore, the current study aims to identify the common CE practices, sustainability of the EWM process and the challenges in EWM, and to develop a conceptual framework for effective EWM.Design/methodology/approachVery few studies have proposed frameworks that acknowledge the challenges and CE practices of EWM. To fill this gap, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed, and 169 research articles were explored.FindingsA total of seven challenges in the adoption of effective EWM were identified: rules and policy, infrastructure, consumer behaviour, informal sectors, community culture, technology and economy. Eight common CE practices were also found for effective EWM: reuse, recycle, remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, reduce, recover and repurpose.Originality/valueA conceptual framework guiding sustainable EWM was proposed, which includes solutions for the identified challenges, and CE practices with sustainable benefits.

Artificial Intelligence Impact on the Environment: Hidden Ecological Costs and Ethical-Legal Issues

Objective: to identify the hidden ecological costs associated with the elaboration, implementation and development of artificial intelligence technologies, in order to ensure its sustainable and harmonious integration with various economic sectors by identifying optimal moral-ethical and political-legal strategies.Methods: the conducted research is based on an ecological approach to the development and implementation of artificial intelligence, as well as on an interdisciplinary and political-legal analysis of ecological problems and risks of algorithmic bias, errors in artificial intelligence algorithms and decision-making processes that may exacerbate environmental inequalities and injustice towards the environment. In addition, analysis was performed in regard to the consequences of natural ecosystems destruction caused by the development of artificial intelligence technologies due to the computing energy-intensiveness, the growing impact of data centers on energy consumption and problems with their cooling, the electronic waste formation due to the rapid improvement of equipment, etc.Results: the analysis shows a range of environmental, ethical and political-legal issues associated with the training, use and development of artificial intelligence, which consumes a significant amount of energy (mainly from non-renewable sources). This leads to an increase in carbon emissions and creates obstacles to further sustainable ecological development. Improper disposal of artificial intelligence equipment exacerbates the problem of e-waste and pollution of the planet, further damaging the environment. Errors in artificial intelligence algorithms and decision-making processes lead to environmental injustice and inequality. AI technologies may disrupt natural ecosystems, jeopardizing wildlife habitats and migration patterns.Scientific novelty: the environmental consequences of the artificial intelligence use and further development, as well as the resulting environmental violations and costs of sustainable development, were studied. This leads to the scientific search for optimal strategies to minimize environmental damage, in which legal scholars and lawyers will have to determine ethical-legal and political-legal solutions at the national and supranational levels.Practical significance: understanding the environmental impact of AI is crucial for policy makers, lawyers, researchers, and industry experts in developing strategies to minimize environmental harm. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing energy efficient algorithms, switching to renewable energy sources, adopting responsible e-waste management practices, ensuring fairness in AI decision-making and taking into account ethical considerations and rules of its implementation.

E-Waste: a Concise Update on Global Movement, Impacts, Management, and Site Remediation

The rapid rise of electronic waste (e-waste) worldwide has become a public health concern. Wealthy countries are disposing of their e-waste to other countries taking advantage of their less stringent environmental laws and regulations. China used to receive large amounts of e-waste through Hong Kong (a free port) but banned the entry of e-waste in 2013. Salvaging or recycling different parts of the e-waste using primitive and uncontrolled techniques generated a wide range of toxic chemicals (mainly heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants). Most studies concerning the environmental and health impacts of the emitted toxic chemicals were conducted in China. The principal aim of this short article is to review the various environmental problems and health impacts of e-waste recycling, policies, management, and remediation of contaminated sites. Out of the primitive methods used for recycling, the two most destructive ones causing harm to the environment and human health are (1) Open-burning of e-waste for disposing of the salvaged e-waste and (2) Acid-stripping of electronic boards for collecting precious metals (gold, silver, platinum). There is sufficient evidence showing the associations between the toxic chemicals in different media (i.e., water, soil/sediment, air) and local food items (i.e., fish, meat, vegetables), linking with body burdens (hair, milk, placenta) of workers and residents. The epidemiological data further demonstrated the abrupt rise of several significant diseases (i.e., respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, malignant tumors) in Taizhou (China), one of the two e-waste recycling sites. Effective policies and vigorous enforcement in managing e-waste are essential. International cooperation is necessary to prohibit the transboundary movement of e-waste. Sites contaminated by e-waste recycling contain incredibly high concentrations of toxic pollutants, which should be removed using excavation, degradation (via microbes, nanoparticles, biochar), soil washing, etc. Planting appropriate plants with associated rhizospheric microbes would achieve longer-term stability.

Design of sustainable electronic waste management business process transformation towards circular economy transition in Jakarta, Indonesia

E-waste or electronic waste management in developing countries still needs to catch up with developed countries. One of the challenges of electronic waste management in developing countries is its sustainability. Electronic waste management’s sustainability is essential for developing countries’ regional development. One of the promising concepts for developing sustainability for e-waste is the circular economy (CE). However, this requires mapping of e-waste management business processes. There needs to be more research on the business processes of e-waste management in developing countries toward CE transition, for example, Indonesia. Therefore, this research aims to design a business process transformation for sustainable e-waste management in Jakarta, Indonesia. We conducted this research using Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN). Our results give a new proposed business process for e-waste management. The new e-waste management business process is expected to improve efficiency and quality. This study will help policymakers and professionals to implement a better e-waste management system, especially in developing countries.

Role of Community-Based Organizations (CBO) in Formalizing the Informal E-waste Dismantling Sector of India: An Opinionated Perspective

The informal e-waste dismantling community consists of individuals who recycle and dismantle electronic waste (e-waste) outside of formal regulations. This informality is due to a lack of knowledge about proper waste handling, complex formalization procedures, competition from the formal sector, and economic challenges. Community-based organizations (CBOs) play a vital role in addressing these issues. CBOs support the formalization of informal dismantlers by providing licensed workspaces, access to recycling technologies, and assistance in transitioning to the formal economy. Formalizing the informal e-waste dismantling community through CBOs ensures compliance with regulations, promotes sustainability, and provides economic opportunities and social benefits. Case study analysis revealed that E-waste dismantler communities formed Community level, Sub-provincial Level, and Provincial level representatives partnered with local government bodies and organizations to attain socio-economic stability. They also contribute to capacity building, collaboration, and access to resources, and markets, supporting the transition to a formal sustainable e-waste management system.

Sustainable Approaches for E-Waste Management: Exploring Renewable and Biodegradable Technologies

Sustainable Approaches for E-Waste Management: Exploring Renewable and Biodegradable Technologies

RESEARCH ON URBAN E-WASTE MANAGEMENT IN CHINA BASED ON SMART TECHNOLOGIES

The improper management of e-waste poses a serious risk to the environment, human health and socio-economic sustainability due to the increasing volume of e-waste globally, its complexity and hazardous components. The management of e-waste is widely recognized as critical around the world, and China has begun to pay attention to e-waste management as well. The development of smart digital technologies provides a new option to realize efficient e-waste management. This study systematically reviews the application of smart digital technologies in e-waste management, which mainly involves the collection and recycling process of e-waste. On the basis, the research topic of advanced digital technologies used in e-waste management literature were unfolded and discussed. To explore the potential application of smart digital technologies in urban e-waste recycling management, this study investigates key digital technologies and equipment for promoting e-waste management in cities, establishing a smart recycling system and an intelligent logistics recycling system for e-waste, using City X in China as an example. In this study, we try to propose an alternative for City X based on intelligent digital technology, which mainly covers the collection process of e-waste, an intelligent logistics recycling system to track and optimize the logistics of e-waste recycling, and an intelligent inventory management that can realize the digital management of e-waste. Our findings could improve the performance of urban e-waste recycling and provide reference for the promotion of smart urban e-waste management system.

Policy and Practices of E-Waste Management in Nepal: An Emerging Challenge

Policy and Practices of E-Waste Management in Nepal: An Emerging Challenge

E-waste recycling and collection in South Africa: views of industry and proposed guidelines to improve the system

ABSTRACT Inadequate and inappropriate e-waste management in developing African countries is harmful to human beings and to the environment. This paper offers a South African industry point of view of four stakeholder groups active in managing e-waste from household consumers. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 20 participants representing environmental specialists; governmental bodies; recycling/disposal entities responsible for collection and recycling, and supply chain members producing, distributing, and retailing. ATLAS.ti was used to analyse the transcribed interviews. Industry views and several practical recommendations for effective e-waste recycling and collection from household consumers were offered.

E-waste supply chain risk management: a framework considering omnichannel and circular economy

PurposeIn the last few years, environmental issues have become a matter of survival. In this sense, e-waste management is among the major problems since it may be a way of mitigating mineral depletion. In this context, the literature lacks e-waste supply chain studies that systematically map supply chain challenges and risks concerning material recovery.Design/methodology/approachGiven this context, the authors' paper conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to build a framework to identify the constructs of e-waste supply chain risk management.FindingsThe paper revealed the theoretical relationship between important variables to achieve e-waste supply chain risk management via a circular economy (CE) framework. These variables include reverse logistics (RL), closed-loop supply chains (CLSC), supply chain risk management, supply chain resilience and smart cities.Originality/valueThe literature contributions of this paper are as follows: (1) a complete list of the risks of the e-waste supply chains, (2) the techniques being used to identify, assess and mitigate e-waste supply chain risks and (3) the constructs that form the theoretical framework of e-waste supply chain risk management. In addition, the authors' results address important literature gaps identified by researchers and serve as a guide to implementation.

Material flow analysis and risk evaluation of informal E-waste recycling processes in Ghana: Towards sustainable management strategies

Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling plays a significant role in e-waste management in developing countries, such as Ghana, where over 90% is handled by the informal sector. However, the informal treatment of e-waste poses a risk to human health and the environment due to the release of toxic pollutants. There is a lack of data on e-waste management and informal processing, and the material flows of output fractions and the fate of hazardous fractions are largely unknown. This hinders the development of appropriate management strategies. Herein, Material Flow Analysis (MFA) was used to investigate five important informal e-waste recycling processes, and risk analysis was used to evaluate environmental, economic, and health safety. On average of all assessed processes, 40.3% of the emerging fractions are landfilled or burned whereof the processing of ICT appliances (desktop PC, laptops and phones) (P1) contributes with 19.4%, CRT appliances (P2) with 11.7%, compressors from cooling appliances (P3) with 0.1%, microwaves (P4) with 1.3% and printers (P5) with 7.7 % to the landfilled or burned fractions. The risk assessment showed that there are considerable risks in environmental, economic and health safety for all processes. When considering the overall risk assessment across all categories, the priority for action to have the most substantial impact is as follows: P2>P5>P3>P1>P4. The key findings of this research focus on the assessment of the so far not known informal e-waste process workflows, the identification of emerging fractions, the remain of potentially hazardous fractions and the identification of the primary economic drivers in informal e-waste dismantling. Recommended action areas involve the incorporation of the informal sector, guided by the insights derived from the MFA and risk assessment. The results of this study are of importance for addressing the challenges faced by the informal sector and for making well-informed decisions when strategizing e-waste management infrastructure.

The Effects of Environmental Values on Gen Z’s E-Waste Recycling Intention

The rapid growth of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a pressing environmental concern, necessitating a deeper understanding of individuals' intentions toward responsible e-waste management. This study aims to explore the relationship between e-waste recycling intentions using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) while considering the influence of environmental values. The research design employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a survey questionnaire to collect data from 115 Gen Z respondents. The findings show that perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and environmental values influence the intention to recycle e-waste while attitude was not impactful in influencing e-waste recycling intention. The findings will offer valuable insights for policymakers, environmental organizations, and practitioners seeking to promote sustainable e-waste practices. Ultimately, the study aims to foster a more comprehensive understanding of how individual attitudes can be leveraged to drive positive changes in e-waste management and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Group correlation analysis of socio-economic indicators and the volume of collected e-waste in European countries

There has been a significant growth in e-waste worldwide and in European countries the growth rate of e-waste entering the market is higher than the growth rate of recycled waste. This is confirmed by comparing the compound annual growth rate figures of 6.85% and 5.7% respectively. The methods of analysis used in this article were Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The study confirms a strong negative correlation between CO2 per capita and e-waste volume in European countries such as Norway, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden and Austria. A linear equation shows that a 1 p.p. increase in CO2 means a reduction of 4,267 kg of e-waste collected per inhabitant. In other European countries, a direct correlation was found between e-waste volume and gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity. Thus, waste collected per capita and GDP have the correlation coefficient is 0.97. The third group of countries includes Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Poland, where there was a negative correlation between e-waste collected per capita and population. Overall, the study shows the complex relationship between various factors and e-waste management and indicates the urgency of the problem of growing e-waste volumes.

VISHODHANAM: E-Waste Handling Web Application

Abstract: VISHODHANAM E-waste Handling Web Application is an innovative online platform designed to handle the critical issues of electronic trash (e-waste) management. This online application provides a user-friendly interface adapted to the demands of consumers, companies, and recycling organizations, therefore expediting the e-waste disposal and recycling process. As electronic gadgets grow increasingly ingrained in our daily lives, the significance of appropriate e-waste management cannot be stressed. VISHODHANAM aspires to give a long-term solution to the rising problem of e-waste by not only simplifying the disposal process but also instilling a feeling of responsibility and understanding about the environmental effects of e-waste. VISHODHANAM is prepared to make a substantial contribution to the ongoing struggle to manage e-waste effectively. This study paper delves into the application's features, design, and possible influence on increasing environmental awareness and supporting responsible e-waste disposal and recycling.

Mind the gap: Bridging knowledge and action in e-waste management

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a growing global problem of WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment), including both functional and damaged items. The study aimed to assess the university's electronic waste production and the level of awareness among respondents. The data gathered from the survey paints a detailed picture of respondents' demographics, awareness, and practices related to electronic devices and e-Waste management. Daily electronic device usage patterns reveal the ubiquitous nature of cell phones and laptops in respondents' lives, showcasing the indispensable role of these technologies. Moreover, the collective acknowledgment of the hazardous nature of electronic waste and recognition of specific electronic devices as potential sources of environmental harm are noteworthy. The survey's findings underscore the collective responsibility to safeguard the environment by making informed choices in the realm of electronics. It also calls for ongoing efforts to raise awareness and educate individuals from diverse demographics and educational backgrounds about sustainable electronic device use and disposal.