UCS407

Inventions and Innovations in Computing

2019

Submitted by
Satyam Verma (101803324)
Pranav Vashisht (101983014)
Rafirose Khan Shah (101983019)
Akhil Sharma (101983027)
Ishaan Marjara (101853028)

SUBMITTED TO
Ms. JhilikBhatacharya

THAPAR INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND

TECHNOLOGY, PATIALA
 CONTENTS

S. No. Topic Page No.

1. Abstract 1

2. Introduction 1

3. Effects on human health and environment 2

4. Management of e-waste 2

5. Indian scenario for e-waste management 3

6. Towards Sustainability 4

7. Conclusion 4

8. Recommendations 5

9. Reference 6
 E-WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract:-
In approach to bridge the digital divide, it is necessary
to get an affordable, equitable and a quality access to
ICT. It is estimated that the two third of world’s
population is still offline so there is a need to provide
affordable access to internet for everyone. In
developing countries, it has become a priority area to
alleviate poverty by promoting access to the ICT.
Yet at the same time, tremendous growth is in use of
ICT devices and services, faster change of technology
and more innovations in ICT sector, had left the world
with a threat of deterioration in environmental
conditions and human health, which may contain
hazardous components, it is still handled in an
environmentally unfriendly manner mostly in
developing nations. It has been huge challenge for the
nations to handle e-waste in an responsible manner
and protect the environment.
In this paper an approach is made to assessing
the present situation of e-waste management in the world
as well as in India, keeping in consideration the present
regulations and guidelines. It is also a fact that major part
of recycling of e-waste is being handled by informal
sector who have little or none knowledge about the
consequences of exposure to hazardous substances.
To address the issue of e-waste
management in an sustainable method, the concept of
EPR will be helpful if the regulations incorporate
monitoring and penalty clause. The reuse of EEE has
greater environmental and social benefits than
recycling as it increases the useful life time of the ICT
equipment and enables both greater resource
efficiency and energy. In all developing nations, it
can help in uplifting the status of the informal sector
with the help of education and employment around.
In addition, we have the technical social
and organizational aspects of all the EEE - wastes
management system, it is also crucial to consider the
economic aspects in mind always, if the system has
to be made financially viable and practical.
1.0 Introduction:
It is a fact that with the voluminous increase
in the usage of ICT devices to bridge the digital
divide, there is also a growth of e-waste globally. E-
waste can be defined as the “electrical and electronic
equipment, that rejects from their manufacturing and
all repair process, which are intended or to be
discarded” whereas electrical and electronic
equipments are defined as ‘equipments which are
dependent on electrical currents or electro-magnetic
fields to be functional’.
There is a need for e-waste management as
all e-waste and components may cause severe health
risks and environmental damage, when they are all
crude, unscientific methods are applied for the
recovery of all useful components. There is an need
to encourage recycling of all the useful and valuable
material from e-wastes to preserve the natural
resources. Most of the developing countries are
suffering with then rapidly growing problems of e-
waste and have to have sound e-waste management
systems for end of life ICT products to stop the threat
on environment and mankind.
The rapid advancements of ICT, frequent innovations
and technological changes are resulting in the shorter
life span of ICT equipment. Moreover in developing
countries the quantity of imported disused Electrical
and Electronic equipment (EEE) is out of control .So
the volume of total e-waste has also increased
drastically in developing and developed nations. At
the exact same time, it is also encouraging that every
nation, along with going for the development and
advancement in the ICT sector, is also working for
‘going green’ by taking care of issues like efficient
use of natural resources and all minimization of e-
waste, sustainable recycling of e-waste and
development of products with minimize use of
hazardous substances.
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
can contain valuable as well as hazardous materials
and if at end of life of EEE, if the hazardous materials
are not disposed of scientifically it may cause serious
damage to the environment and the public health. The
presence of heavy metals (like Arsenic Cadmium
Barium Lead Lithium Mercury Nickel Zinc Sulphide)
and other toxic or harmful substances like PCB
(Polychlorinated biphenyls) etc .may cause extreme
danger, if not disposed of properly environment
friendly manner.
ITU has accepted the fact that in many
developing countries, the regulations to cover the
areas of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment)are inadequate as they exclude key topics
and key stake holders. The collection, recycling and
recovery of e-waste management by the informal
sector having little/no knowledge about techniques,
 precautions etc, cause more damage to their health
and environment.
So going in line with the definition of
environmental sustainability i.e.“ the ability to maintain
the qualities that are valued in the physical environment
by the use of design for environment principles, efficient
use of non -renewable resources, efficient and
environmentally sound recycling and use of renewable
resources as much as possible”, in order to have a
sustainable policy to handle e-waste in an environment
friendly manner, it is thus extremely important that
policy of e-waste disposal and regulatory aspects should
be stringent as well as rational.
2.0 Effects on human health and
environment:
E-waste is highly dangerous to handle because of its
composition. It is made up of
multiple toxic components that have an adverse impact on
human health and environment if not handled properly that
is if improper recycling and disposal methods are deployed.
So there is a need for technology to handle and disposal of
these chemicals. Basel Convention characterizes e-waste as
hazardous when they are contaminated with mercury, lead,
cadmium etc. Wastes containing insulation or metal cables
coated with plastics contaminated with or containing lead,
coal tar, cadmium, Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)etc are
also characterized as hazardous wastes. Also precious metal
ash from printed circuit boards, glass waste from cathode-
ray tubes, LCD screens and other activated glasses are
classified as hazardous wastes.
3.0 Management of e-waste:
There is no different or ideal model for e-waste management
in developing countries, each of which has its own specific
environmental, technological, economic and cultural
conditions.
Environmentally sound management of WEe recognizes
three R’s i.e. reduce, reuse and recycle. The aim is to reduce
the generation of e-waste through smart manufacturing and
maintenance, reusing till functioning of electronic
equipment and recycle those components which cannot be
repaired.
A smart e-waste management system for developing
countries have to assess the e-waste situation, recognize that
e-wastes are a complex mixture of hazardous and
nonhazardous substances and materials and need to define
the e-waste management system considering the EEE
market penetration, life cycle of ICT equipment, financing
mechanisms etc.
The main steps to be taken into account when framing ICT
waste management guidelines for developing countries are:
 Policy and regulations cover import and export of
EEE and WEEE in accordance with the rules of
each country and with international legislation.
 Defining responsibilities of prime stake holders at
the level of government, chain, consumers of
ICT equipment and entities for disposal of waste.
 Responsible systems to have collected data on
ICT equipment in market, EEE and WEEE
management to have control on the monitoring
and future planning.
 Training for the informal sector who are engaged
in recycling and recovery.
3.1. ITU – Technical guidelines:
The technical with environmental standards as
recommended by ITU have been put forward to ensure that
best practices are followed in handling ICT wastes. ITU has
also come out with recommendation () for environmentally
friendly universal charger for laptops as well as other
portable devices and of green batteries for smart phones and
other handheld ICT devices.
A standardized methodology for manufacturers to report the
quantity of rare metals contained in their ICT dev experts in
Recommendation ITU-T L 1101. A study carried out in
2012 by the University of Genoa, ITU and the Global
Sustainability Initiative (Ge SI), estimates that the
adaptation of an energy-efficient universal power adapter
will eliminate an estimated 3,00,000 tons of e-waste
annually. The study also shows that it could help to reduce
the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by
25 to 50 per cent.
ITU has prescribed for installation of technical
infrastructure for proper handling of e-waste, while
considering effective when the concerns of the national
economy and society are also taken care of . Collection of
information at different stages of e-waste management is
also important aspect for controlling adverse effects.
3.2. ITU- Present activities:
The concept of environmental sustainability is having
enormous importance these days as the activities towards
bridging the digital divide in developing regions have
resulted an alarming deterioration of the environmental
condition.
To ensure the safety of mankind and environment, handling
of e-waste has been assigned priority by attainable
buildings’ through environmentally conscious design
principles. It covers issues of ‘end of life management’ and
explore development of sustainability through various
standards and guidelines.
ITU has joined PACE (Partnership for Action on
Computing Equipment), a multi stake holder partnership
which intends to increase the environmentally sound
management of used and end-of-life computer equipment
taking into account of social responsibility and the concept
of sustainable development.
ITU has also joined the StEP (Solving the e-waste Problem)
initiative for scientific assessment and incorporation of an
energy-efficient re-use and recycling practices in a socially
responsible manner.
3.3. Problems in the implementation of the
strategies on ICT-waste:
Developing countries face these kind of problems in
framing or implementing regulations on e-waste:
 There is no proper data about the consumption, e-
waste generated and managed.
 There is lack of proper policies that consider all
aspects related to e-waste management including
responsibilities for all stakeholders.
  Many developing countries have regulations but
in informal sector are not considered when in
developing countries, they form a substantive part
of the recycling process.
 In developing countries the import of used ICT
goods imposes a threat on the volume of e-waste
generated.
 Lack of knowledge and absence of technology in
different stages of management may lead to loss
of valued material and further imposing threat to
health.
 Trastructure in developing to deal with ICT
waste.
 Lack of awareness among stake holders and
public in general about the responsible use of ICT
goods.
 Lack of co-ordination among holders in different
stages of the management process.
 The policies sometimes lack practicality. Thus,
the sustainability issues are perhaps not well
addressed.
4.0 Indian scenario for e-waste
management:
In last few years, India has emerged as one of the major IT
hub and the consumer electronic market has grown on an
exponential rate. According to Manufacturers Association
of Information Technology (MAIT) the Indian PC industry
is annual growth rate. Study reports that in 2007, 2.3
million computers were made and 13.5 million mobile
handsets were replaced.
The e-waste generated was estimated to be 3,30,000 tons
out of which 1,45,000 tons was recyclable and actually e-
waste recycled was only 19,000, tons.
Developed countries find it profitable to send their e-waste
for reusing or recycling to developing nations because of
economic disparities.
In India, Ministry of Environment and forests (MoEF) is
handling the environmental legislation and its control.
The main active bodies in e-waste managementin India
are CPCB, SPCBs, Gtz and industry associations such
asMAIT.
These organizations are working under the
guidance of MoEF. CPCB (Central Pollution Control
Board) had set up a the different aspects of e-waste
covered in various environmental legislations in India
and had drafted guidelines for environmentally sound
management ofe-waste.
In the beginning of 2008, the CPCB
released the guidelines for environmentally
proper management of e-waste, which apply to all
those who handle e-waste. These guidelines are the
first policy framework dealing specifically with
preventions, management, treatment, recycling, and
disposal of e-waste in India.
The policies framed, provide guidelines for
manufacturers, customers, collectors, recyclers,
dismantlers, and enforcement agencies and
prescribed procedures for handling e-waste in an
environmental friendly efficient manner. Apart from
adopt they include international standards and
practices like restriction on hazardous substances
(RoHS) in EEE( reference: e-waste assessment in
Kolkatta Metropolitan Area – A report by IMRB
international April2010 to West Bengal Pollution
control Board GTZ and ICC Kolkatta)
4.1 ExistingRegulations:
Ministry of Environment and Forests’
E-Waste management and handling
rule 2011(effective from 01-05-2012)
I. Responsibilities of the producer: The producer
of electrical and electronic equipment listed in
Schedule I shall be responsible for
1. collection of e-waste generated during
manufacturing of electrical and
electronic equipment and channelizing
it for recycling or disposal.
2. collection of e-waste generated from
the 'end of life' of their products in line
with the principle of 'Extended
Producer Responsibility' and to ensure
that such e-wastes are channelized to
registered dismantler or recycler.
Producer shall, as necessary, ensure
collection and channelization by
authorizing collection agencies.
3. financing and organizing a system to
meet the costs involved in the
environmental- sound management of
e-waste generated from the 'end of life'
of its own products and historical waste
available on the date from which these
rules become effective. The financing
arrangement of such systems should be
transparent.
4. providing contact details such as
address, telephone numbers/helpline
number of authorized collection enters
to consumer(s) or bulk consumer(s) so
as to facilitate return of used electrical
and electronic equipment.
5. creating awareness through
publications, advertisements, posters,
or by any other 'means of
communication and information
booklets accompanying the equipment,
with regard to:
i. information on hazardous
constituents a specified in
sub-rule 1 of rule 13 in
electrical and electronic
equipment
ii. information on hazards of
improper handling,
accidental breakage and/or
improper recycling of e-
waste;
iii. instructions to handle the
equipment after its use, along
with the Do's and Don'ts.
 iv. fixing a visible, legible and
indelible symbol given below
on the products or,
information booklets to
prevent e-waste from being
dropped in garbage bins
containing waste destined for
disposal;
6. obtaining a authorization from the
concerned State Pollution Control
Board (SPCB) or Pollution, Control
Committee in accordance with the
procedure under rule 9
II. Responsibilities of collection centers — The
Collection center’s shall-
1. Obtain an authorize in accordance with
the procedure under rule 9 from the
SPCB or Pollution Control Committee
concerned as the case may be and
provide details such as address,
telephone numbers/helpline number, e-
mail, etc. of such collection center to
the general public;
2. ensure that the e-waste collected by
them is stored in a secured manner till it
is sent to registered dismantler(s) or
recycler(s) as the case may be;
3. ensure that no damage is caused to the
environment during storage and
transportation f e-waste;
4. file annual returns and maintaining
record
III. Responsibilities of dismantler — Every
dismantler shall
1. obtain authorization ad registration
from the SPCB in accordance with the
procedure under the rules 9 and 11;
2. ensure safe storage and transportation
of e-waste
3. ensure that the dismantling processes
do not have any adverse effect.
4. ensure that dismantled e-waste are
segregated well and sent to the
registered recycling facilities for
recovery of materials.
5. ensure to non-recyclable/non-
recoverable components are sent to
authorized treatment storage and
disposal facilities;
6. file a return
7. not process any e-waste or recovery or
refining of materials, unless he is
registered with—SPCB as a recycler for
refining and recovery of materials.
IV. Responsibilities of consumer or bulk
consumer.
1. Consumers or Bulk consumers of
electrical and electronic equipment
listed in Schedule I shall ensure that e-
waste generated by them is channelized
to authorized collection center(s).
2. bulk consumers shall maintain records
of e-waste generated by them in Form 2
and make such records available for
scrutiny by the SPCB or the Pollution
Control Committee concerned.
5.0 Towards Sustainability:
ITU-T is providing support and guidance in
environmental sustainability field for the ICT sector for
maintenance and operation of their devices and services
through number of standards and recommendations.
A helping hand has been evolved by ITU-T containing
detailed discussions on topics like Sustainable ICT in
corporates, Sustainable products, Sustainable buildings,
End-of-life management, General specifications,
Assessment framework for environmental impacts
including worldwide standards, guidelines and available
methodologies. It is well understood by the people that there
is a need of having strategies for sustainable electronic
product design, production and e-waste management.
For having an e-waste management system which is
environment friendly, the following aspects are to be taken
into consideration:
• Remuneration must be there for research
and development in the areas of green design or
development and maintenance of ICT products
• enforcement of strict laws and regulations
in a rational way considering the economic conditions of
the society.
• Recognition of the importance of the
life cycle assessment to have proper estimation on the
generation of WEEE
• Considering ethical aspects while
addressing the supply chain performances. Including the
issues of the informal sector which is engaged in the
recycling stages of e-waste management in developing
nations.
Along with the broad definition of sustainability including
economic, social and environmental aspects, it is now
necessary for the developing nations, that the
international standards/ policies/ guidelines should be
adjusted considering the socio-economic condition of a
nation. Being with UNDP’s millennium development goals,
it is an important criterion for a green society to be socially
and ethically sustainable.
6.0 Conclusion:
ITU has concur to the fact that there cannot be unique
or ideal model for e-waste management in developing
countries, when each of which is differentiated by its
own specific environmental, technological, economic and
cultural conditions.
With a vision to bridge the digital divide, there
is an exponential growth in the usuasge of Electrical and
electronic equipment(EEE) and thus there is alarming effect
on environmental and human health when the ICT wastes
are not disposed scientifically. There is an emergent
necessary to implement the existing policies and guidelines
according to the international standards and practices for a
healthy e-waste management system.
Government policies must encourage the reuse
of EEE aiming to minimize and recycle Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
There is a clear need to have an absolute
information system through standardized mechanisms. Eco
friendly design can have a positive impact in
reducing the rate of WEEE generation, facilitating the
management of e- waste and recovery of materials,
achieving cost reductions.
In India, Ministry of Environment and
Forests has clarified about the Reduction in the usage of
hazardous substances (RoHS) in the manufacturing of
electrical and electronics equipment. This attempt is made
to ensure that the latest electrical and electronic equipment
does not contain Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, poly-
brominated biphenyls (PBB) which is to be achieved within
a time period of 3 years from the date of commencemen.
MoEF is also promoting the 3R’s Concept (Reduce, Reuse
and Recycle) for the Hazardous Waste Management.
MoEF has also defined the responsibilities of Central
Pollution Control Board(CPCB)and State Pollution
Control Board(SPCB) who are the monitoring authorities
in respect of management of e-waste in India. Briefly
the main functions of CPCB are:
• Preparation of Guidelines for Management
of e-waste
• Conduct assessment on e-waste generation
and processing
• Recommend standards and specifications
for processing and recycling
• Documentation and compilation of data on
e-waste
the poor children for developing their skills is to be
encouraged which in turn will help in cleaning the
environment.
7.7. As the waste disposal is a state’s
responsibility, municipal authorities of each city must also
be entrusted with the job of collection of e-waste and its safe
disposal in accordance with the guidelines which in turn can
be transported to the recycler for proper management.
7.8. Collection and maintenance of data on e-
waste is extremely important to start corrective actions
on policy implementation. For e-waste management, there
is a need for conducting assessment of e-waste
generation, and formulation of standards and
specifications for processing and recycling e-waste.
8.0 Reference
 Central Pollution Control Board- Implementation
of e waste rules 2011
 Concept Document- Strategies for improving the
sustainability of e waste
management systems, University of Illinois
 International Telecommunication Union,
http://www.itu.int

• Conducting training & awareness program  Managing e-waste in India – A review, Gulsan
Sirkek, Gaurav Gupta
• Enforcement of reduction in use of
hazardous substances  Ministry of Environment and Forests- notification
The collection, storage, transportation, dated 12th May,2011,
segregation, recycling and disposal of e-waste is also issued
by the Central Pollution Control.  http://moef.nic.in

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste
7.0 Recommendations:
A multi program approach is required to improve the
condition of e-waste management in the country.
Summarized recommendation belongs:
7.1 Tax incentives should be there for telecom
product manufactures companies who institute
environmentally safe production and to offset any
incremental cost involved in the process. Tax incentives
should be given to companies who are engaged in
recycling of e-waste till end of life of the product.
7.2. There is an urgent need of creating
awareness among the people about the best till date
practices of collecting e-waste, to be followed by avoid
dumping of waste in landfills, and proper disposal of the
waste through standard methods.
7.3. All the equipment manufacturers, service
providers and Government sectors should spread awareness
about hazards of e-waste. All the mobile hand set
manufacturers should disclose the harmful materials used
in their products so as to make customers aware of safe
disposal methods, through different media.
7.4. Telecom equipment manufacturers and
service providers are advised for creating a set up for proper
disposal of e-waste. Training and education must be
provided to the people engaged in recycling, recovery and
safe disposal of e-waste by the manufacturers and service
providers.
7.5. The concept of donating used products to