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Electronic and Electrical Equipment Waste Disposal

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Solid Waste Engineering and Management

Part of the book series: Handbook of Environmental Engineering ((HEE,volume 25))

Abstract

The disposal of the Wastes of Electronic and Electric Equipment (WEEE) is an emerging stream of waste that has been increasing drastically recently. The intensifying of the quantity of WEEE is due to rapid technological advancement, thus reducing the End-of-Life (EOL) and hastening the obsolescence of Electronic and Electric Equipment (EEE). The approach of handling WEEE determines the fate of contaminant substance either recycling, disposed to landfill or being incinerated, releasing toxic and hazardous chemical to environment. Nevertheless, WEEE is also known as the urban mine where it can be the source of rare earth metal (REM) and precious metal such as gold and platinum. The most important element in managing the WEEE is the enforcement of the legislation/law with initiatives from stakeholders. The option of recycling for a particular material is summarized in this book chapter. Lastly, the hazard associated with recycling is being briefly discussed at the end of a chapter.

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Abbreviations

AC:

Alternating current

BER:

Brominated epoxy resin

BFR:

Brominated flame retardant

Cl5P:

Phosphorous pentachloride

CRT:

Cathode ray tube

DC:

Direct current

DOE:

Department of Environment

DRC:

Dioxin-related compounds

EEA:

European Environment Agency

EEE:

Electrical and electronic equipment

EoL:

End of life

EPR:

Extended producer responsibility

EU:

European Union

EWRS:

E-waste recycling site

H2O2:

Hydrogen peroxide

LCD:

Liquid crystal display

LPUR:

Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources

LRHA:

Law for the Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances

MSW:

Municipal solid waste

OECD:

Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development

PAH:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PBDE:

Polybrominated diphenyl ether

PBDF:

Poly-brominated dibenzo-p-dibenzofurans

PCBP:

Polychlorinated biphenyl

PCB:

Printed circuit board

PCDDs/Fs:

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-furans

PCDF:

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dibenzofuran

PDP:

Plasma display panel

PRSWEEE:

Promotion of recycling of small waste electrical and electronic equipment

RoHS:

Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

SCWO:

Supercritical water oxidation

WEEE:

Waste of electrical and electronic equipment

WWTP:

Wastewater treatment plant

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Puganeshwary Palaniandy & Mohd Suffian Yusoff

  2. Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Latham, NY, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang & Mu-Hao Sung Wang

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  1. Puganeshwary Palaniandy
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  2. Mohd Suffian Yusoff
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Latham, NY, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang

  2. Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Latham, NY, USA

    Mu-Hao Sung Wang

  3. Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Yung-Tse Hung

Glossary

Biometallurgy

It refers to the biotech processes that involve the exchanges between microorganisms and metals or metal-bearing minerals.

Commingled Recycling

This means a scheme where waste is mixed in a recycling truck rather than separated into individual commodities by the depositor. These materials are later sorted out at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Conventions

An arrangement between states covering specific issues, especially one less formal than a treaty.

Device Stockpiling

Is the end-user mentality to store their old EEE.

EEE

Electrical and electronic equipment.

End of Life

Is the end of a product life cycle which impedes updates for users that indicate that the product is at the end of its utility life or obsolete product life.

Greenhouse Gases

Infrared gases that absorb and emit radiation within the earth’s wavelength range.

Hydrometallurgy

Involves the use of aqueous chemistry for the recovery of metals from ores, concentrates, and recycled or residual materials.

Informal Recycling

Is an improper recycling process with no proper safety measure for the manpower and the environment.

Landfill

A process of disposing of solid waste in a way that preserves public health and the environment. Every day the waste is compacted and covered. The waste disposal is screened down and the liquid and gas collected, and gate control and weighbridge is mounted.

Municipal Waste

Is the solid waste material commonly called “trash” or “garbage” that is generated by homeowners and businesses

Pyrometallurgy

Extraction and purification of metals by processes involving the application of heat.

Recycling

Is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects.

RoHS Directive

Is a directive to reduce or eliminate the content of the hazardous substance in the production of EEE.

Stakeholder

Individual or institution (public and private) interested and involved in related processes and activities associated with a modernization process, plan, project goal, or desired change.

Urban Mining

Can be defined as the “process of recovering rare metals through mechanical and chemical treatments from urban mine which is a stockpile of rare metals in the discarded WEEE of a society.”

WEEE

Waste for electric and electronic equipment or equipment that are no longer functional.

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Palaniandy, P., Yusoff, M.S., Wang, L.K., Wang, MH.S. (2022). Electronic and Electrical Equipment Waste Disposal. In: Wang, L.K., Wang, MH.S., Hung, YT. (eds) Solid Waste Engineering and Management. Handbook of Environmental Engineering, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96989-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96989-9_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-96988-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-96989-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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