Environmental problems and management aspects of waste electrical and electronic equipment and use of clean energy for sustainable development

Abstract

Abstract E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their “useful life.” E-waste contains many hazardous substances, which have been found to be extremely dangerous to human health and the environment. E-waste is often disposed of under less than ideal safety conditions. Various forms of electric and electronic equipment that have ceased to be of value to their users or no longer satisfy their original purpose are treated as E-wastes. The electrical wastes are TV, refrigerator, lights, etc., whereas the electronic wastes are computers, mobiles, LEDs, etc. It has been already reported in India that computer devices account for nearly 70% of e-waste, 12% comes from the telecom sector, 8% from medical equipment, and 7% from electric equipment. The government, public sector companies, and private sector companies generate nearly 75% of electronic waste, with the contribution of the individual household being only 16%. Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. There is an up-gradation done to this E-waste garbage list, which includes gadgets like smartphone, tablets, laptops, video game consoles, cameras, and many more. Improper dumping and burning of E-wastes can lead to toxic chemicals leaking into the air, water, and soil. Potential health outcomes from e-waste exposure include changes in thyroid functions, poor neonatal outcomes, including spontaneous abortions, stillbirths and premature births, behavioral changes, malfunction of the lung, DNA damage, and child s growth (for lead). The processes used to recycle and dispose of e-waste in India have led to a number of harmful environmental impacts. In the near future, the increasing energy consumption will force us to use clean and renewable energy sources, which include solar, wind, hydrothermal energy, and biomass. Among these options, solar energy stands out as the most reliable choice to fulfill our energy requirement. The toxic, polluting sources are coal, oil, and gas. Solar energy has the ability to produce electricity and heat water. Solar energy holds enormous potential. Generating electricity from clean renewable sources increases our opportunities to displace costly polluting oil and gasoline. Cost-effective, clean, and renewable sources of electricity are getting more acceptances, while dirtier sources like coal are losing their acceptability due to the harmful residues. The power sector is a leading source of cancer-causing air pollution and one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide. Clean Energy is the energy that is produced through the processes to omit greenhouse gases or any other pollutants as residual elements and prevent the pollution of the atmosphere. The advantages of clean energy are that it reduces our reliance on Fossil Fuels and tones down climate change. Even inorganic solar cells like silicon solar cells that are not efficient left silicon wafer as residues. The silicon wafer is hazardous for soil and if it burns then it pollutes the air also. Organic and hybrid solar cells that contain glass substrates only are the best clean energy so far as those devices do not leave any harmful residues and are also recyclable.