IoT-Based Smart Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability

Biswaranjan Acharya, Satarupa Dey, Mohammed Zidan, Biswaranjan Acharya, Satarupa Dey, Mohammed Zidan

• Verlag: CRC Press
• Jahr: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781000586015
• Auflage: 1
• Thema: Tecnología e ingeniería
• Thema: Gestión medioambiental

This book consolidates and summarizes smart technologies like IoT, edge computing, and AI used in different aspects of waste material management, mitigation, and recycling for a sustainable environment. One of the cases explains how IoT-based systems and wireless sensors can be used to continuously detect common pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and particulate matter (PM) and how the data collected are used to assess the overall air quality and determine actions for improvements. A collection of practical case studies, this book provides a comprehensive knowledge in smart waste management to readers in universities, research centers, and industries.

1
E-Waste Management

Babita Panda, Gyanendra Kumar Panda, and Arjyadhara Pradhan

DOI: 10.1201/9781003184096-1

CONTENTS

1.1 Introduction

1.2 What Is E-Waste?

1.3 Problems of E-Waste

1.4 Generation of E-Waste

1.5 Identification of E-Waste Issues

1.6 Environmental Impact of E-Waste

1.7 Proper Disposal of E-Waste

1.8 E-Waste Management

1.8.1 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and E-Waste

1.8.2 Public Schemes for E-Waste Management

1.8.2.1 Main Highlights of the E-Waste Rules

1.8.2.2 Duties of Different Shareholders

1.8.3 Problems and Threats for Policy Execution

1.8.3.1 Less Knowledge on E-Waste Formation Rates

1.8.3.2 Informal Organizations’ E-Waste Management Practices

1.8.3.3 Poor Regulation and Enforcement

1.8.4 Designing of a Powerful E-Waste Management System

1.8.4.1 Informal Sector

1.8.4.2 Policy Reformation under EPR

1.8.4.3 Execution of Regulations

1.8.4.4 E-Waste Imports

1.8.4.5 Public Awareness

1.9 Treatment of E-Waste

1.10 Conclusion

References

1.1 Introduction

At the moment, the industries which make the most profit or are in most demand are electronic industries. In a short span of time, new and advanced technology with up-to-date designs being easier to operate have developed, and consumers have become attracted towards this technology and want to have these advanced operations [1]. In this time of advanced technology, the pace of innovation is quite fast. Advanced and upgraded versions of devices are launched into the market in quick spans of time and offer more, better and advanced functionality than previous versions. Within a few months or a year, masses of people who have the same smart phone model from a brand move to an advanced version of the same model, as shown in Figure 1.1. Due to this rising demand, competition between suppliers for a wider range of models is also increasing [2].

FIGURE 1.1
Uses of different cell-phone models from 2012 to 2022.

Based on the above trend analysis towards premature obsolescence, it’s possible to increased packing density. Other trends which appear in other fields of the electronics sector are transmission speed and improved processors. Product marketing is a well-known example, or we can say factor, that highly motivates consumer intention to upgrade [3–5].

Current fashion is another factor. In the field of smart devices, this is becoming apparent. Nobody anymore wants to be seen carrying a bulky phone with an arial antenna. A few people thought that new models are released too frequently when the old one is not out of date by very much. This results in premature obsolescence and increasing more e-waste. Another factor is the cost of repairing. For instance, it is much easier nowadays for a consumer to buy a new smart phone when the battery life is nearly dead than to invest in a new battery. With so many battery types available in the market for a particular mobile device, consumers do not want to take the risk of buying the wrong type and end up having another problem of completely damaging their currently only troublesome device. Consumer eagerness for new advanced products forces a decrease in the lifespan of existing products, and as a result it increases electrical and electronic waste. An ever-growing portion of the solid waste from cities is due to the increase of e-waste at an accelerated rate [6–8]. Electronic items after use are shipped over oceans, which creates a complicated waste matter consisting of several harmful metals and chemical substances. Consumption of electronic products in India is very high due to the large population.

1.2 What Is E-Waste?

Waste products from electricals and electronics that have been discarded or where the lifespan of the item has ended are known as electronic waste (e-waste). This includes devices that are operated by either electricity or batteries, and includes devices that are thrown away to landfill or given to a reseller organization. Table 1.1 depicts the distribution of e-waste items in different categories [9].

TABLE 1.1
Distribution of E-Waste Items

Home Appliances	Communication and IT Devices	Entertainment Devices	Electronic Items	Office and Medical Equipment
Microwaves Home entertainment devices Electric cookers Heaters Fans	Cell phones Smart phones Computer accessories	Bluetooth Music systems Televisions Xbox consoles	Treadmills Various electronics equipment	Copiers/printers Autoclave Shredding machines Fax machines X-ray equipment Power supplies UPS systems Power distribution systems (PDUs)

E-waste contains toxins which produce greenhouse gases (GHGs) at the time of their disposal and which impact human health and effect pollution due to low levels of processing. The more the e-waste in landfill, the more these poisonous materials mix into groundwater. A major risk is involved to workers’ health and their communities due to the recycling and disposal of e-waste [10–12].

1.3 Problems of E-Waste

In a generation of rapid technological advancement, e-waste keeps expanding while smart electronic goods are being invented and introduced to the markets. Electronic devices (smart home devices) can now almost do everything within a short span of time. New models are introduced to the markets even while the current models are working fine [13–15]. The latest versions always provide additional new features that make them superior to the previous ones. New innovators in the field of technology continue to create more smart and advanced electric or electronic devices, designed to make life easier and more convenient in all aspects. Still, consumers seem all too susceptible to quickly upgrading the devices they already have [16–18]. It doesn’t matter how satisfied they have been with their devices until now.

1.4 Generation of E-Waste

Mostly the waste is classified in the below categories:

• Household appliances
• IT and communication devices
• Electronic toys
• Electrical utilities
• Health care devices
• Smart devices

Electronics goods which are thrown away by consumers rather than being recycled or reused are known as e-waste [19,20].

1.5 Identification of E-Waste Issues

Several acts are in place for protecting human health and the natural environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal. Laws are there to ensure e-waste management in an environmentally sound manner. An international treaty is in place for reduc...