E-waste: Hazards and Management

E-waste is not just old junk — it is one of the fastest-growing environmental hazards in the world today. The term refers to any electric or electronic device that has reached or is near the end of its useful life and is no longer in use. Discarded computers, laptops, mobile phones, televisions, tablets, music systems, speakers, printers, scanners, and similar gadgets all become e-waste once they are thrown away.

The problem has grown exponentially because of the sheer increase in the use of electronic equipment. Every year, more devices are bought, and just as many are discarded. But the real trouble is that most people lack awareness about how to handle this waste, and there is a shortage of appropriate skills to manage it safely. As a result, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) has become a major concern for every country. …