Insights into E-waste as Global Concern: Sources, Composition and Impacts
Keywords:
Electronic waste, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), metal oxide hazard, radioactive pollution, recyclingAbstract
Since the 18th century, science and technology have driven industrial growth and improved human life. In the 21st century, rapid technological development has changed not only industries and lifestyles but has also brought new environmental challenges. One of the biggest issues today is the continuously increasing volume of electronic waste originating from discarded electrical and electronic equipment. Inaccurate and improper e-waste disposal and recycling lead to the release of toxic substances, posing a great threat to the environment and human health. This review discusses global e-waste sources, composition, and impacts.
References
Ádám, B., Göen, T., Scheepers, P.T., Adliene, D., Batinic, B., Budnik, L.T., Duca, R.C., Ghosh, M., Giurgiu, D.I., Godderis, L. and Goksel, O., 2021. From inequitable to sustainable e-waste processing for reduction of impact on human health and the environment. Environmental Research, 194, p.110728.
United Nations University (2019). Global E-waste Monitor 2019. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Environment/Documents/Global-E-waste%20Monitor%202019.pdf
World Economic Forum (2020). The Global E-waste Monitor 2020. https://ewastemonitor.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GEM_2020_def_july1_low.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency (2020). Electronics Donation and Recycling. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling
Greenpeace (2020). The E-waste Problem. https://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/story/10543/why-indias-e-waste-should-worry-us/
Forbes (2020). How to Reduce Electronic Waste: 10 Tips Everyone Should Know. https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2020/01/20/how-to-reduce-electronic-waste-10-tips-everyone-should-know-infographic/?sh=26e487fc6a7e
Murthy, V. and Ramakrishna, S., 2022. A review on global e-waste management: urban mining towards a sustainable future and circular economy. Sustainability, 14(2), p.647.
Vishwakarma, S., Kumar, V., Arya, S., Tembhare, M., Dutta, D. and Kumar, S., 2022. E-waste in Information and Communication Technology Sector: Existing scenario, management schemes and initiatives. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 27, p.102797.
Yusuf, M. (2021). Cellulose-Based Nanomaterials for Water Pollutant Remediation. In: Kharissova O, Martínez L, Kharisov B, Handbook of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications, Cham; Springer, pp. 213-228. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36268-3_17
Thakur, P. and Kumar, S., 2022. Evaluation of e-waste status, management strategies, and legislations. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 19(7), pp.6957-6966.
Asokan, V.A., Teah, H.Y., Kawazu, E. and Hotta, Y., 2023. Ambitious EV policy expedites the e-waste and socio-environmental impacts in India. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 190, p.106829.
Maes, T. and Preston-Whyte, F., 2022. E-waste it wisely: Lessons from Africa. SN Applied Sciences, 4(3), p.72.
Almulhim, A.I., 2022. Household's awareness and participation in sustainable electronic waste management practices in Saudi Arabia. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 13(4), p.101729.
Pandey, P. and Singh, R.K., 2023. E-waste Management Practices in India: Challenges and Approaches. Microbial Technology for Sustainable E-waste Management, pp.63-74.
Raghavendra, T.S., Nagaraja, S.R. and Mohan, K.G., 2023. Convergence of Real-Time Analytical Framework with E-Waste Disposal Using Machine Learning-Centered Hybrid Neural Networks. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series C, pp.1-11.
Al-Salem, S. M., Lettieri, P., & Baeyens, J. (2021). Global e-waste generation, recycling practices and emerging management challenges. Journal of Environmental Management, 280, 111663.
Singh, R., & Sharma, R. (2021). Electronic waste (E-waste) management: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 284, 125103.
Mundada, M.N., Kumar, S. and Shekdar, A.V., 2004. E‐waste: a new challenge for waste management in India. International journal of environmental studies, 61(3), pp.265-279.
Sthiannopkao, S. and Wong, M.H., 2013. Handling e-waste in developed and developing countries: Initiatives, practices, and consequences. Science of the Total Environment, 463, pp.1147-1153.
Baldé, C. P., Wang, F., Kuehr, R., Huisman, J., & Ma, J. (2015). The global e-waste monitor – 2014. United Nations University, IAS – SCYCLE, Bonn, Germany.
Tsydenova, N., & Bengtsson, M. (2011). Chemical hazards associated with treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Waste management, 31(1), 45-58.
Kang, H.Y. and Schoenung, J.M., 2005. Electronic waste recycling: A review of US infrastructure and technology options. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 45(4), pp.368-400.
Hsu, E., Barmak, K., West, A.C. and Park, A.H.A., 2019. Advancements in the treatment and processing of electronic waste with sustainability: a review of metal extraction and recovery technologies. Green Chemistry, 21(5), pp.919-936.
Andooz, A., Eqbalpour, M., Kowsari, E., Ramakrishna, S. and Cheshmeh, Z.A., 2022. A comprehensive review on pyrolysis of E-waste and its sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 333, p.130191.
Schluep, M., Hagelüken, C., Kuehr, R., & Magalini, F. (2012). Challenges and opportunities in the recovery of gold from electronic waste. Chemical reviews, 112(5), 2857-2877.
Wang, F., Chen, M., & Li, X. (2016). Environmental impact of electronic waste recycling: State of the art and future challenges. Journal of hazardous materials, 341, 1-12.
Puckett, J., Byster, L., Westervelt, S., Gutierrez, R., Davis, S., & Hussain, A. (2002). The Basel Action Network (BAN) study on export of toxic waste from rich to poor countries. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 8(3), 243-252.
Robinson, B. H. (2009). E-waste: An assessment of global production and environmental impacts. Science of the Total Environment, 408(2), 183-191.
United Nations Environment Programme. (2015). Waste crime - Waste risks: Gaps, challenges and opportunities in the waste sector. Retrieved from https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/9847/WasteCrime_2015.pdf
Zeng, Y.H., Tang, B., Luo, X.J., Zheng, X.B., Peng, P.A. and Mai, B.X., 2016. Organohalogen pollutants in surface particulates from workshop floors of four major e-waste recycling sites in China and implications for emission lists. Science of the Total Environment, 569, pp.982-989.
Andooz, A., Eqbalpour, M., Kowsari, E., Ramakrishna, S. and Cheshmeh, Z.A., 2022. A comprehensive review on pyrolysis of E-waste and its sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 333, p.130191.
Ho, E., Wong, C.P. and King, J.C., 2022. Impact of zinc on DNA integrity and age-related inflammation. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 178, pp.391-397.
Noel-Brune, M., Goldizen, F.C., Neira, M., van den Berg, M., Lewis, N., King, M., Suk, W.A., Carpenter, D.O., Arnold, R.G. and Sly, P.D., 2013. Health effects of exposure to e-waste. The Lancet Global Health, 1(2), p.e70.
Li, W. and Achal, V., 2020. Environmental and health impacts due to e-waste disposal in China–A review. Science of the Total Environment, 737, p.139745.
Alabi, O.A., Adeoluwa, Y.M., Huo, X., Xu, X. and Bakare, A.A., 2021. Environmental contamination and public health effects of electronic waste: An overview. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 19, pp.1209-1227.
Baldé, C. P., Wang, F., Kuehr, R., Huisman, J., & The Global E-waste Statistics Partnership. (2020). The global e-waste monitor 2020: Quantities, flows, and the circular economy potential. United Nations University.
Kumar, A., & Holuszko, M. E. (2020). Recent trends and future prospects of e-waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 257, 120479.
Zhang, K., Song, Q., & Li, J. (2021). E-waste recycling: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 417, 125935.
He, W., Li, Y., Wang, X., & Liu, X. (2021). E-waste management in China: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 301, 126832.
Gao, Y., Zhang, Z., Li, J., Wang, F., & Huang, J. (2020). A review of e-waste recycling policies and their effectiveness in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 263, 121384.
Ilankoon, I.M.S.K., Ghorbani, Y., Chong, M.N., Herath, G., Moyo, T. and Petersen, J., 2018. E-waste in the international context–A review of trade flows, regulations, hazards, waste management strategies and technologies for value recovery. Waste management, 82, pp.258-275.
Wath, S.B., Vaidya, A.N., Dutt, P.S. and Chakrabarti, T., 2010. A roadmap for development of sustainable E-waste management system in India. Science of the Total Environment, 409(1), pp.19-32.
Thakur, P. and Kumar, S., 2022. Evaluation of e-waste status, management strategies, and legislations. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 19(7), pp.6957-6966.
Published on: 11-12-2025
Also Available On
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohd Yusuf, Shafat Ahmad Khan, Sandeep Kumar Chaurasiya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
