E-waste generation, management, utilization and recycling: A review

Increasing rate of market penetration, economic growth and rapid technological advancement lead to the massive generation of electronic waste or e-waste in the country. Lack of awareness and indecorous handling of e-waste causes a global menace. E-wastes comprise diverse range of metals, plastics and ceramics which when disposed in the environment with improper treatment have adverse impact to environment and human health. In India, the generation of e-waste is increasing by 10% per annum and is not managed properly. 95% of the recycling agencies are informal sectors and only 5% are formal sectors handling the e-waste in an environment unfriendly manner damaging the environment. The present review paper reports the generation rate, management options, different utility to increase product durability and the recycling techniques for having a systematic management of e-waste in the country. Based on the rigorous review of literature some recommendations have been made, which will be useful for the recyclers, policy makers and researchers working in this area.