Volume : 4, Issue : 9, September - 2015

E-Waste Management in India - an Overview

K. Syamala Devi, N. Moorthy Muthukrishnan

Abstract :

<p>Rapid changes in technology, changes in media (tapes, software, MP3), falling prices, with the advancement in Science and Technology every second new electronic gadgets like mobile phones, tablets, i-pods, note-book, LED TV, plasma TV are launched. Due to the invention of these modern gadgets we have become slaves of gadgets and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe. The growth of E-waste has significant economic and social impacts. The increasing obsolescence rate of electronic products also adds to the huge import of used electronics products. E-wastes contain over 1000 different substances many of which are toxic and potentially hazardous to environment and human health, if these are not handled in an environmentally sound manner. This paper presents an overview of toxic substances present in E-waste, their potential environmental and health impacts together with management strategies being used in India.</p>