Global occurrence, chemical properties, and ecological impacts of e-wastes (IUPAC Technical Report)

Abstract

The waste stream of obsolete electronic equipment grows exponentially, creating a worldwide pollution and resource problem. Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) comprises a heterogeneous mix of glass, plastics (including flame retardants and other additives), metals (including rare Earth elements), and metalloids. The e-waste issue is complex and multi-faceted. In examining the different aspects of e-waste, informal recycling in developing countries has been identified as a primary concern, due to widespread illegal shipments; weak environmental, as well as health and safety, regulations; lack of technology; and inadequate waste treatment structure. For example, Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, and China have all been identified as hotspots for the disposal of e-waste. This article presents a critical examination on the chemical nature of e-waste and the resulting environmental impacts on, for example, microbial biodiversity, flora, and fauna in e-waste recycling sites around the world. It highlights the different types of risk assessment approaches required when evaluating the ecological impact of e-waste. Additionally, it presents examples of chemistry playing a role in potential solutions. The information presented here will be informative to relevant stakeholders seeking to devise integrated management strategies to tackle this global environmental concern.

The world-wide waste web

“…Waste is one of the main anthropogenic sources of HM in the environment 26 , 30 , with electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) alone containing 56 metals 31 . We focus here on 8 HM ubiquitous in wastes of different kinds.…”

Environmental impact and health risk assessment of potentially toxic metals emanating from different anthropogenic activities related to E-wastes

“…The consequence of non-existent or inadequate infrastructure to manage the disposal and recycling of the large percentage of the e-wastes effectively is habitual contamination of the environments and a significant exposure of people, including children, to harmful chemicals ( Lundgren, 2012 ; Olafisoye et al., 2013 ; Heacock et al., 2016 ; Singh et al., 2020 ). The contaminants, which might occur directly through the recycling process or indirectly by ecological exposure, pose considerable risks to human health ( Purchase et al., 2020 ; Alabi et al., 2021 ; Kumar and Gupta, 2021 ).…”

E-waste Management In Indian Microscale Informal Sectors – An Environmental Perspective Towards Policy Regulation

“…It has been reported that per capita generation of e-waste is the highest in Norway (~ 28.5 kg). US and Canada produce 20 kg of e-waste (per capita) whereas countries in Latin America contribute 10% of generated ewaste worldwide (Purchase et al 2020). In Asia, China is the highest e-waste generator (total) whereas the US is the annual highest global e-waste producer (10 MT, 2017) (Dwivedy and Mittal 2010;Wath et al 2010; Wath et al 2011).…”

“…Globally, the generation of e-waste was 42 MT in 2014 occupying about 5% of the total generated municipal solid waste and, by 2017 increased up to 72 MT (Ongondo et al 2011; Ikhlayel 2016). The growth of e-waste has been exponentially expanding especially over the last two decades (Dasgupta et al 2014;Purchase et al 2020). The e-waste generation growth rate (both globally and regionally) clearly indicates that the existing management protocol of e-waste is complex and multifaceted that needs serious policy attention.…”

“…In Europe, the recently (2018) legislated streamlining activities (building systems to reuse and recycle old EEEs) are focused on ensuring a better mechanism for handling and disposal of the e-waste (Table 1) (Purchase et al 2020). Poorly working and easily disposable EEE items are the principal source of ewaste at the end of their lifespan (Ongondo et al 2011).…”