An Introduction to Electronic Waste Pollution and Its Sustainable Management
摘要
Considering a sharp increase in the consumption of electronic devices, pollution from electronic waste has arisen as an enormous environmental and public health hazard. The global growth in e-waste creation, fueled by technology improvements and short product life cycles, has had major environmental and socioeconomic consequences. Poor e-waste disposal procedures and informal recycling practices offer significant environmental and health risks by releasing dangerous compounds into the environment, including heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, and persistent organic pollutants. Successful management initiatives, such as efficient recycling, eco-design, and bio-based recovery strategies, are required to offset these impacts. This chapter investigates the current condition of e-waste pollution, focusing on its environmental and human health impacts, as well as its long-term management. Sustainable e-waste management can reduce resource consumption and environmental damage by incorporating regulatory frameworks, innovative recycling technology, and green chemistry principles, opening the path for a more circular and sustainable electronics industry. This book seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of e-waste, including its environmental and health consequences, as well as the urgent need for long-term solutions. It investigates multiple options for responsible e-waste management, ranging from technological advancements in recycling to legislative initiatives and circular economy strategies, such as bioleaching processes for extracting precious metals from e-waste. This book aims to educate researchers, policymakers, industry experts, and students about the intricacies of e-waste management while also encouraging innovative and sustainable approaches.