Rahul Baidya

Waste electrical and electronic equipment management and Basel Convention compliance in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations account for one-quarter of the world’s land area, having more than 40% of the world’s population, and only one-quarter of the world gross national income. Hence the study and review of waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems in BRICS nations is of relevance. It has been observed from the literature that there are studies available comparing two or three country’s waste electrical and electronic equipment status, while the study encompassing the BRICS nations considering in a single framework is scant. The purpose of this study is to analyse the existing waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems and status of compliance to Basel convention in the BRICS nations, noting possible lessons from matured systems, such as those in the European Union EU) and USA. The study introduced a novel framework for a waste electrical and electronic equipment management system that may be adopted in BRICS nations and revealed that BRICS countries have many similar types of challenges. The study also identified some significant gaps with respect to the management systems and trans-boundary movement of waste electrical and electronic equipment, which may attract researchers for further research.

E-Waste Recycling as Criteria for Green Computing Approach: Analysis by QFD Tool

Green computing is an environmentally responsible approach to reduce electronic waste and power consumption that helps in use of computing resources efficiently. With the increase in use of computer and other electronic devices the energy consumption and carbon footprint are also increasing. E-waste recycling is one of the important approaches towards green computing. This paper focuses on the approaches of green computing and how it minimizes the environmental impacts of computers and other electronic devices effectively by e-waste recycling. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) analytical tool is used to find different parameters from primary research data those affect the e-waste recycling practice as green computing approach. The result will help the stakeholders in implementing green computing approach.

Energy Analysis of Water Hyacinth–Cow Dung–Sawdust Mixture Briquettes—An Indian Perspective

Water hyacinth poses a major problem for Indian water bodies due to its aggressive growth property: engulfing the local flora and fauna and destroying water bodies. The removal of water hyacinth by mechanical means has not been sustainable but when considered as a biomass source, the removal process can become sustainable. The plant has a high growth rate and contains high level of cellulose, thus having high potential for energy generation. The study involves experimental analysis of briquettes, prepared from water hyacinth, cow dung and saw dust. The three compositions were varied in different percentages by mass. The samples were prepared by developing a homogeneous mixture, and analysis was carried out to evaluate the calorific value of the briquettes. The study revealed high calorific value of the briquettes with likelihood of high economic gains. The findings, if commercialized, can lead to utilization of biomass, which would otherwise have been wasted, and furthermore, the briquettes have potential to be utilized in commercial setup like captive power plant, cement plant and bricks manufacturing plant as source of alternative fuel. A number of literature exists, but study emphasising a combination of three compositions is scarce in the literature.

Analysis of E-Waste Supply Chain Framework in India Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

E-waste in general termed as “Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipments (WEEE)” is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. Rapid product obsolescence and short life cycles are key driving forces for this environmental problem. WEEE contains a high quantity of toxic and hazardous materials. E-waste management is a difficult task and requires environmentally safe and economical methods. Establishing a proper supply chain network for collection and segregation of e-waste is the most important step. The study develops as holistic supply chain framework to improve the sustainability of the e-waste management system in India considering the requirement of the e-waste processing plant. Specifically this paper addresses the following three questions—What are the issues and challenges in the supply chain framework considering the environmental criteria, legislative criteria and other stakeholder’s requirements? What are the areas needed to be improved considering the WEEE producer requirements? Which supply chain characteristics of a WEEE processing plant are needed to be strengthened? The study follows a case study approach. Firstly, a questionnaire was developed based on the primary research and a survey was followed. Secondly, the answers obtained from the field study were used to analyse using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and thirdly, the drawbacks were interpreted from the results of the AHP analysis. Finally, using the results, a sustainable supply chain framework was proposed. A number of researches are available in this field but works considering the requirements of different stakeholders are scant. Further few studies are available considering the supply chain of India. This research will be helpful for researchers and the stakeholders of e-waste management.

Sustainability of cement kiln co-processing of wastes in India: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Co-processing in cement kiln achieves effective utilization of the material and energy value present in the wastes, thereby conserving the natural resources by reducing the use of virgin material. In India, a number of multifolded initiatives have been taken that take into account the potential and volume of waste generation. This paper studies the factors which might influence the sustainability of co-processing of waste in cement kilns as a business model, considering the issues and challenges in the supply chain framework in India in view of the four canonical pillars of sustainability. A pilot study on co-processing was carried out in one of the cement plant in India to evaluate the environmental performance, economical performance, operational performance and social performance. The findings will help India and other developing countries to introduce effective supply chain management for co-processing while addressing the issues and challenges during co-processing of different waste streams in the cement kilns.