PRACTICAL 1
Aim - Identification of e-waste and its type
Objective- To identity e-waste and classify it into distinct categories
Theory-
E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electrical and electronic equipment that has outlived its
utility. This includes devices such as computers, smartphones, televisions, refrigerators, and other
electronic appliances. The rapid pace of technological innovation, coupled with the increasing demand
for newer models, has led to a significant surge in e-waste generation worldwide.
What makes e-waste unique is its dual nature. On one hand, it contains valuable materials like gold,
silver, and rare earth metals, which can be recovered and reused. On the other hand, it harbors
hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can pose severe risks to human
health and the environment if not properly managed. Improper disposal of e-waste can lead to the
contamination of soil, water, and air, resulting in long-term ecological damage.
The management of e-waste is a global challenge that demands urgent attention. Recycling and proper
disposal are crucial to mitigating its environmental impact. However, recycling e-waste requires
specialized processes to safely extract reusable components and dispose of toxic elements. Many
countries have implemented laws and initiatives to address this issue. For instance, Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) mandates manufacturers to manage the end-of-life disposal of their products.
Public awareness and responsible consumer behavior also play a vital role in reducing e-waste. Choosing
repairable products, supporting recycling programs, and donating functional but unused devices are
steps individuals can take to minimize waste.
E waste is categoriesed into 9 different categories
1. Large household appliances includes washing machine, refrigerator, AC, coolers, TV etc
2. Small household appliances includes vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, iron, grinder, toaster, digital clocks,
shaving equipment etc.
3. Toys and sports equipment includes electric car, video games etc.
4. Tools includes drilling machine, motors, hole punching, welding machine, gardening tools, spraying
machine etc
5. Medical equipment includes digital thermometer, CT scan, ultrasound, MRI etc
6. Monitoring instruments includes weighting machines, smoke detectors, control panels etc.
8. IT and telecommunication equipment includes PC, laptops, printers, camera, mobile, photocopy,
radio etc.9. Lighting equipment includes CFL, led lights etc.
Method
-Visited different places like home, college and nearby surrounding areas for identifying e waste.
-Took the pictures of items and note down their location.
-classified the different items.
Category E waste item Picture location
Large appliances fridge Behind canteen
Behind canteen
Large appliances cooler
Telecommunication Mobile phone House garbage
Telecommunication Monitor House garbage
Telecommunication Projector college
Results and discussion-
This practical revealed that e-waste management on our campus can be better, with a notable
accumulation of outdated electronic devices across various departments. Large appliances and
equipment were identified as the most prominent type of e-waste present. The absence of designated
disposal systems and limited awareness among campus members pose significant challenges to effective
e-waste management. Even at household e waste is not rightly disposed
To address this issue, it is essential to raise awareness through educational campaigns and establish
dedicated e-waste collection points on campus. Collaborating with certified recycling organizations and
implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework will ensure proper disposal,
fostering a sustainable and environmentally responsible e-waste management system.
