A PROJECT REPORT ON

Electronic waste Recycling

SUBMITTED BY

Mr. Parth Sanjay Yendhe (72208118K)

Under the Guidance of

Prof. Swati Shinde

DEPARTMENT OF

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING

ALARD COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

MARUNJI, PUNE

THIRD YEAR ENGINEERING

(Academic Year: 2023-2024)

1
 Alard Charitable Trust’s

ALARD CHARITABLE TRUST’S

ALARD COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

MARUNJI, PUNE

DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE

LEARNING

CERTIFICATE

This is certified to that Mr Parth Sanjay Yendhe , PRN – 72208118K has

completed the project work and prepared report on “ Electronic waste
Recycling” In satisfactory manner as a partial fulfilment on requirement of
Third Year Engineering in AIML for academic year 2023-24.

Prof. Swati Shinde Prof. Disha Nagpure

(Guide) (H.O.D)

2
 ABSTRACT

E-waste" is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful
life. "E-wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products
contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The
hazardous content of these materials pose a threat to human health and environment.
Discarded computers, televisions. VCRs. stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell
phones, audio equipment and batteries if improperly disposed can leach lead and other
substances into soil and groundwater. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished,
or recycled in an environmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the
ecosystem. This paper highlights the hazards of e-wastes, the need for its appropriate
management and options that can be implemented

3
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Gratitude is the hardest emotion to express and often one doesn't find adequate words to convey
that entire one feels. It is my foremost duty to express my deep sense of gratitude and respect
to Prof. Swati Shinde for her uplifting tendency and inspiring me for taking up this report on
(Environmental studies) “E-Waste Management”. We are to our head of department Prof.
Disha Nagpure for this encouragement and support at every moment.

I am also grateful to the Librarian of Alard college of Engineering and Management Pune for
providing all necessary activates to carry out (Environmental Studies) E-Waste Management.
Last but not least, I am thankful to my colleagues an those who have directly and indirectly
throughout this work of Environmental studies.

Name Roll No.

Parth Sanjay Yendhe 65

4
 INDEX

Sr no. Title Page no.

1. E-waste 6-6

2. E-waste: A Growing Problem 7-7

3. Global Significance of e-Waste 8-8

4. Impact of various e-wastes 9-10

5. E- Waste pollutants and Characteristics 11-12

6. E-Waste Recycling 13-14

7. Respose e-Waste processing technology 15-18

8. Conclusion 19-19

9. Reference 20-20

5
 E-waste

What is E-waste

Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to all items of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
and its parts that have been discarded by its owner as waste without the intent or reuse. Ewaste
is also referred to as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), electronic waste or
e-scrap in different regions and under different circumstances in the world. It includes a wide
range of products – almost any household or business item with circuitry or electrical
components with power or battery supply. The definition of e-waste is very broad and covers
six waste categories:

• Temperature exchange equipment, more commonly referred to as cooling and freezing

equipment. Typical equipment includes refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat
pumps.

• Screens, monitors. Typical equipment includes televisions, monitors, laptops, notebooks,

and tablets.

• Lamps. Typical equipment includes fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge lamps, and
LED lamps

• Large equipment. Typical equipment includes washing machines, clothes dryers,

dishwashing machines, electric stoves, large printing machines, copying equipment, and
photovoltaic panels.

• Small equipment. Typical equipment includes vacuum cleaners, microwaves, ventilation

equipment, toasters, electric kettles, electric shavers, scales, calculators, radio sets, video
cameras, electrical and electronic toys, small electrical and electronic tools, small medical
devices, small monitoring and control instruments.

• Small IT and telecommunication equipment. Typical equipment includes mobile phones,

Global Positioning Systems (GPS), pocket calculators, routers, personal computers,
printers, telephones.

Each product of the six e-waste categories has a different lifetime profile, which means that
each category has different waste quantities, economic values, as well as potential
environmental and health impacts, if recycled inappropriately. Consequently, the collection
and logistical processes and recycling technology differ for each category, in the same way
as the consumers’ attitudes when disposing of the electrical and electronic equipment also
vary.

6
 E-waste: A Growing Problem

The country's e-waste generation increased 43 per cent between FY18 and FY20. The
pandemic-induced consumption of electronic devices is set to add to the problem in future.
India's e-waste generation has risen nearly 43 per cent between FY18 and FY20. The
pandemicinduced increase in use of electronic devices is set to accentuate this problem in the
near future. A study by KPMG and ASSOCHAM says computer equipment account for almost
70 per cent of e-waste in India, followed by telecom/phones (12 per cent), electrical equipment
(8 per cent) and medical equipment (7 per cent).

E-waste is the discarded electronic devices that we no longer use. It is a growing problem
because we are constantly upgrading our devices, and the old ones end up in landfills or
incinerators.

The e-waste problem is a complex one, and there is no single solution. However, by taking
steps to raise awareness, encourage recycling, and design for sustainability, we can make a
significant difference.

The digital revolution is not going to stop any time soon, so it is important that we find ways
to make it more sustainable. E-waste is a major part of the problem, but it is also an opportunity.
By finding ways to reuse, repair, and recycle electronic devices, we can reduce the amount of
waste that is generated and create a more sustainable future.

We all have a role to play in addressing the e-waste problem. By making

mindful choices about the electronics that we buy and how we dispose of
them, we can help to make a difference."

7
 Global Significance of E-Waste
e-Waste has raised concerns because many components in these products are toxic and do not
biodegrade easily if at all. Based on these concerns, many European countries banned e-Waste
from landfills in the 1990s . Ming Hong et al. found alarming levels of dioxin compounds,
linked to cancer, developmental defects, and other health problems; in samples of breast milk,
placenta, and hair, these compounds are linked to improper disposal of electronic products.
Furthermore, surveys have indicated that much exported US e-Waste is disposed of unsafely
in developing countries, leaving an environmental and health problem in these regions . The
European Union has legislation requiring manufacturers to put in place e-Waste disposal
mechanisms (Wanjiku, ). Due to the difficulty and cost of recycling used electronics, as well
as, lackluster enforcement of legislation regarding e-Waste exports, large amounts of digital
discards are transported internationally from various industrialized countries to certain
destinations where lower environmental standards and working conditions make processing
eWaste more profitable. Impacts from those countries, especially Asia, have already been
reported.

Electronic waste contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and various
other toxic substances. If not managed properly, these substances can contaminate soil, water
and air, posing a serious threat to human health and ecosystems

8
 Impact of various e-wastes

The Rise of E-Waste

The fundamental cause of the fastest increase in e-waste output is people’s insatiable need
to own technological devices. The United Nations came up with the phrase “e-waste
tsunami” to describe the critical situation we find ourselves in.

Although the proliferation of electronic devices is one component that fuels the issue, these
same tools have the potential to be crucial in finding a solution. If we live in a world that is
both more digital and more connected, we will be able to advance more quickly toward the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Additionally, it will enable
developing countries to benefit from chances that have never been presented to them.

Key Facts About E-Waste

By the year 2021, the total amount of manufactured electronic waste was 57.4 million
tonnes. Additionally, as the years go by, the total is increasing at a rate of roughly 2 Mt per
year, on average. Experts estimate that there will be a total of 347 metric tons of nonrecycled
e-waste globally by the end of the current year.

Only 17.4% of the e-waste is properly collected and recycled, alarming data that clearly
shows that a major portion of e-waste is thrown into dumps without considering any
recycling procedure and detrimental effects on the planet’s ecology.

The Environmental Impact of E-Waste

Soil contamination Inspection suggests that there is a possibility that the soil in the region
surrounding of e-waste could get contaminated because of large levels of lead and mercury
in those materials.

According to the Geneva Environment Network, which analysed the environmental impact
of e-waste, elements and materials used in the manufacturing of electronic devices are
incredibly harmful to our planet. As soon as they are dumped into a landfill, especially in
the warmer months of the year, they are just left to soak into the ground. Years may pass
throughout this process.

One of the major negative effects on the environment is caused by heating e-waste which
results in the discharge of toxic compounds such as lead, cadmium and beryllium into the
air. After that, there is a chance for the poisonous substances to seep into the groundwater,
where they may influence both aquatic and terrestrial species.

When the e-waste comes intact with landfills, the surrounding soil gets contaminated with
hazardous substances like mercury, cadmium, and lead which leads to several diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, several adverse health effects are caused by
exposure to e-waste like negative birth outcomes like premature birth, changes in lung
functions, and respiratory issues. And these challenges are emerging day by day.
9
Furthermore, the proper collection and recycling of e-waste can result in protecting and
maintaining the environment and human health.

10
 E- Waste pollutants and Characteristics

Recent trends in e-waste management

The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship serves
as the foundation for new policies and plans for electronic device manufacturing and recycling.
A focus on a zero-waste, linear economy, focused susceptibility to cybersecurity to improve
system destabilization methodologies, and an overall focus on proper e-waste recycling
accreditations, employees’ rights, and ecologic oversight for established service companies are
among the proposed or implemented changes.

Despite the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) releasing the
Ewaste rules in 2016 and following up with upgrades, there are still hurdles to effective waste
management, including a lack of investment, infrastructure, and consumer knowledge. Several
entrepreneurs and businesses have arrived in India to assist the informal sector in collecting,
processing, and recycling electronic debris.

Startups have started to engage in a variety of activities, including e-waste disposal, credit
monitoring, logistics and distribution, data protection and disposal, CSR initiatives, and
refurbishment, all with a genuine conviction in the three R’s of sustainability. They begin by
sorting the debris into glassware, plastics, and metal. Following this, they process all the
harmful compounds and send the leftovers to be extracted. The remainder of the plastic and
metal is handed to recyclers.

Public health, Environment, and E-Waste

E-waste disposal is becoming a global public health and environmental concern, as electronic
waste has become the world’s fastest-growing portion of the conventional municipal solid
waste stream. E-waste is any electronic or electrical device that has been thrown, surplussed,
obsolete, or broken. The majority of discarded electronic gadgets are kept in households
because people do not understand how to dispose of them properly. This ever-increasing trash
is extremely complicated in nature, and it’s also a rich source of commodities such as gold,
silver, and copper that may be recovered and reintroduced into the manufacturing process. The
global e-waste management segment was worth $49,880 million in 2020 and is expected to
grow at a CAGR of 14.3% from 2021 to 2028, to reach $143,870 million by 2028 – according
to research conducted by allied market research. The market growth for rare metals, coupled
with their rarity, has led to a sharp increase in their price.

Disposal and Management of E-Waste

It is not just about reducing environmental dangers when it comes to e-waste reduction.
Minimizing e-waste conserves resources and minimizes the amount of energy required to
manufacture these products; recycling pieces inside e-waste consumes far less energy than
manufacturing new ones.

Listed below are numerous ways, in which e-waste can be reduced and managed:
11
Purchase fewer items

The most common source of e-waste is the purchase of items we do not require. Avoid buying
new electronic devices that the maker can’t reuse or discard. Opting for recyclable or long-
lasting electronic products is a sustainable step towards e-waste management.

Organize your possessions

You’ll never know what you have if you don’t organize your gadgets, wires, connectors, and
DVDs. The very last thing you should do is buy something you believe you need, just to
discover that you already have a copy in your cupboard.

Donate or give away your e-waste

If you don’t need something, donate it so that it can be appreciated by someone else. Donations
are excellent tax deductions since the amount is generally close to the worth of the asset if sold.

Return them to the store

A buy-back program establishes a contract between the consumer and the seller which suggests
that the seller has agreed to buy back the product sold, at a later time. This is offered by a few
stores. Before you go out and buy a new gadget, see whether the store will buy your old camera,
computer, or other items.

12
 E-Waste Recycling

How is E-Waste Recycling Done?

E-waste recycling is much more complicated than conventional waste recycling. Typically, the
first step of the recycling process is manual sorting. Once e-waste is collected and transported
to the recycling facilities, workers sort the e-waste into categories according to their types and
models. Then, all electronic devices will be examined, and of which the parts that are still
functional will be extracted to be reused; they can either be sold as individual parts or be
combined to form a new phone or computer. The e-waste left behind that is not functional will
be sent to recycling processing.

Here, e-waste is thrown into an enormous machine and is shredded into tiny pieces, but before
that, it must first go through a process called de-manufacturing, which refers to the action of
disassembling a product into components. This procedure is to remove all the potentially
hazardous materials in electronic devices that will destroy the machine or contaminate the
environment once disposed into landfills. For example, the toner that can be found in a
photocopier is extremely flammable and explosive, and is certainly capable of blowing up the
processing equipment if it gets shredded, given that so many things can act as fuel sources,
such as plastic. This process is of utmost importance and must be performed by skilful workers.

13
Once waste is shredded, metals, the valuable parts that make the e waste recycling a profitable
industry, will be separated. Unlike the former sessions, this process does not require manual
sorting. A giant magnet will first attract all the ferromagnetic materials, like iron and steel, that
have high susceptibilities to magnetisation. Then, further mechanical processing separates
other metals and alloys based on a physical law called Eddy Current, where paramagnetic
materials, materials that are weakly attracted to magnets will be bounced away when an electric
current is induced by an alternating magnetic field with a repulsive force, while other
nonmagnetic materials, like plastic, will simply keep going.

Next, the waste is further separated with water. At this stage, almost everything leftover are
non-magnetic materials; they will go through another machine filled with water, where
materials with a low relative density, mostly plastic, will flow, while other materials, like glass,
will sink. Finally, before recycled materials are sold, is to check if there are any remaining
valuable materials stuck to the plastic.

Current Recycling Challenges

Only 17.4% of documented e-waste was recycled in 2019, according to Statista. This can be
partially ascribed to the fact that many electronic devices today are not designed to be recycled.
Smartphones are becoming lighter and slimmer, and their batteries are no longer removable,
making recycling much more difficult and labour-intensive. Manual sorting requires workers
to be constantly exposed to toxic substances, albeit at a low level, over a long period, while
these difficult-to-recycle electronic devices require facilities to constantly upgrade their
machines to keep up with the changing technology, lowering the incentive for businesses to
recycle e-waste that is already difficult to disassemble.

14
 Respose E-Waste processing technology

The Respose e-Waste processing plant consists of : a. Respose Cutting Mill for electronic
circuit boards, wires and small parts b. Respose Granulation Mill for e-waste with primary
separation c. Respose Vibratory Feeder Assembly for Granulation Mill d. Respose Enhanced
Air Purification System e. Respose Conveyor Belt (10 ft) f. Respose Magnetic Separator g.
Respose Fraction Separator h. Respose Feeder Assembly for Fraction Separator) i. Electrical
control panel WEEE is manually dismantled and separated into electronic circuit boards, wires
and external cabinets and casings. The cutting mill is used for reducing the size of the assorted
electronic circuit boards, wires, small components, small equipment etc. A magnetic separator
separates ferrous components. The non ferrous fraction is passed over a conveyor belt to the
granulation mill by a vibratory feeder. The granulated fraction passes through a primary
separator. The granulated material is fed to a fraction separator through a feeding assembly.
The dust from the granulating mill and the primary separator is fed to an air purification system.
The air purification system separates the dust and minute particles from air and releases clean
air in the environment. The fraction separator separates the granulated material into non
metallic and non ferrous mixed metal fraction. Throughout the entire process, manual handling
of material is avoided to a maximum. Material is handled only at input of the cutting mill,
handling of separated fraction bins and manual picking of oversized parts after first level size
reduction. The entire process is completely mechanical. No chemicals are used at any stage.
Water used in the process is completely recycled and not released as effluent / spent water.
Dust generated in the process is collected in proper bags and packed for safe disposal. The
entire operation is free from any kind of polluting processes.

15
Respose Waste Management & Research Private Limited (ResposeIndia), established in the
year 2011. Resposeindia is a company engaged in Environmental technologies. We provide
machinery and consulting services for Green Businesses. We specialize in greenifying
businesses, Waste Management Plants and comprehensive consulting and business services for
various types of waste management.

We offer customized machines and complete plants for waste management suited to the needs
of our clients. Some of the features of these systems are longer life, easy usage, better quality
of output, non polluting processes, field serviceability etc. We ensure that the products and
plants that we suggest comply to the highest industrial norms and standards.

With our expertise in the waste management domain, we offer reliable and effective waste
management solutions to our clients in the areas of E waste, Construction and Demolition
debris, biomass & municipal solid waste and soil enrichment.

Apart from waste management our machinery is used in other industry sectors such as
chemicals, paints and food processing.

Thanks to our core expert group, we have been able to able to cater to the needs of our clients
in most efficient manner. Currently we have multiple plants installed across several states in
India.

Surface storage and land disposal

Hazardous wastes that are not destroyed by incineration or other chemical processes need to be
disposed of properly. For most such wastes, land disposal is the ultimate destination, although
it is not an attractive practice, because of the inherent environmental risks involved. Two basic
methods of land disposal include landfilling and underground injection. Prior to land disposal,
surface storage or containment systems are often employed as a temporary method.

Temporary on-site waste storage facilities include open waste piles and ponds or lagoons. New
waste piles must be carefully constructed over an impervious base and must comply with
regulatory requirements similar to those for landfills. The piles must be protected from wind
dispersion or erosion. If leachate is generated, monitoring and control systems must be
provided. Only noncontainerized solid, nonflowing waste material can be stored in a new waste
pile, and the material must be landfilled when the size of the pile becomes unmanageable.

A common type of temporary storage impoundment for hazardous liquid waste is an open pit
or holding pond, called a lagoon. New lagoons must be lined with impervious clay soils and
flexible membrane liners in order to protect groundwater. Leachate collection systems must be
installed between the liners, and groundwater monitoring wells are required. Except for some
sedimentation, evaporation of volatile organics, and possibly some surface aeration, open
lagoons provide no treatment of the waste. Accumulated sludge must be removed periodically
and subjected to further handling as a hazardous waste.

Many older, unlined waste piles and lagoons are located above aquifers used for public water
supply, thus posing significant risks to public health and environmental quality. A large number
of these old sites have been identified and scheduled for cleanup, or remediation, around the
world.
16
Secure landfills

Landfilling of hazardous solid or containerized waste is regulated more stringently than

landfilling of municipal solid waste. Hazardous wastes must be deposited in so-called secure
landfills, which provide at least 3 metres (10 feet) of separation between the bottom of the
landfill and the underlying bedrock or groundwater table. A secure hazardous-waste landfill
must have two impermeable liners and leachate collection systems. The double leachate
collection system consists of a network of perforated pipes placed above each liner. The upper
system prevents the accumulation of leachate trapped in the fill, and the lower serves as a
backup. Collected leachate is pumped to a treatment plant. In order to reduce the amount of
leachate in the fill and minimize the potential for environmental damage, an impermeable cap
or cover is placed over a finished landfill.

A groundwater monitoring system that includes a series of deep wells drilled in and around the
site is also required. The wells allow a routine program of sampling and testing to detect any
leaks or groundwater contamination. If a leak does occur, the wells can be pumped to intercept
the polluted water and bring it to the surface for treatment.

One option for the disposal of liquid hazardous waste is deep-well injection, a procedure that
involves pumping liquid waste through a steel casing into a porous layer of limestone or
sandstone. High pressures are applied to force the liquid into the pores and fissures of the rock,
where it is to be permanently stored. The injection zone must lie below a layer of impervious
rock or clay, and it may extend more than 0.8 km (0.5 mile) below the surface. Deep-well
injection is relatively inexpensive and requires little or no pretreatment of the waste, but it poses
a danger of leaking hazardous waste and eventually polluting subsurface water supplies.

17
Remedial action
Disposal of hazardous waste in unlined pits, ponds, or lagoons poses a threat to human health
and environmental quality. Many such uncontrolled disposal sites were used in the past and
have been abandoned. Depending on a determination of the level of risk, it may be necessary
to remediate those sites. In some cases, the risk may require emergency action. In other
instances, engineering studies may be required to assess the situation thoroughly before
remedial action is undertaken.

One option for remediation is to completely remove all the waste material from the site and
transport it to another location for treatment and proper disposal. This so-called off-site solution
is usually the most expensive option. An alternative is on-site remediation, which reduces the
production of leachate and lessens the chance of groundwater contamination. On-site
remediation may include temporary removal of the hazardous waste, construction of a secure
landfill on the same site, and proper replacement of the waste. It may also include treatment of
any contaminated soil or groundwater. Treated soil may be replaced on-site and treated
groundwater returned to the aquifer by deep-well injection.

A less costly alternative is full containment of the waste. This is done by placing an
impermeable cover over the hazardous-waste site and by blocking the lateral flow of
groundwater with subsurface cutoff walls. It is possible to use cutoff walls for this purpose
when there is a natural layer of impervious soil or rock below the site. The walls are constructed
around the perimeter of the site, deep enough to penetrate to the impervious layer. They can be
excavated as trenches around the site without moving or disturbing the waste material. The
trenches are filled with a bentonite clay slurry to prevent their collapse during construction, and
they are backfilled with a mixture of soil and cement that solidifies to form an impermeable
barrier. Cutoff walls thus serve as vertical barriers to the flow of water, and the impervious
layer serves as a barrier at the bottom.

18
 CONCLUSION
E-waste is a problem that is being faced by almost all countries globally but more so by
developing countries as the e-waste is imported to these countries in bulk. Hence each of us
must be committed to cutting down the waste and use, reuse and recycle all e-waste. Ewaste is
is a relatively new segment in the global problem of waste removal. It is also the fastest growing
segment worldwide in discarded waste. This growing problem in the world is largely ignored
or misunderstood. Many people do not understand what it is or how it affects them, the world,
or the environment. So the question "What is ewaste" needs to be addressed before any
solutions can be effective. Ewaste comes from the improper disposal of any number of
electronic devices. These devices include computers, televisions, cell phones, or most other
electronic equipment. Consumers in developed nations are quick to replace their devices
because of continuous technological advances. This upgrading leads to an excess of unused
electronic devices. What is done with old computers and phones is what is contributing to the
ewaste problem. Some people understand the importance of properly disposing of these old
units, but many more still throw them in the garbage or incinerators.

19
 REFERENCE
https://greene.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020120983.pdf
https://nswai.org/docs/E-Waste%20Resposal.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2963874/

20
21