A comprehensive review on hazardous aspects and management strategies of electronic waste: Bangladesh perspectives

Investigating the factors affecting the intention to separate e-waste among mobile phone repairers in an emerging economy: A hybrid structural equation modelling and artificial neural network approach

The growing number of mobile phone users on a global scale has led to enormous amounts of electronic waste (e-waste) being generated annually. Insufficient knowledge of e-waste separation causes individuals to dispose of e-waste along with other waste. As a result, this cannot be used in the recycling process. The aim of this study is to determine the elements that significantly impact the intention of mobile phone repairers to carry out separation of e-waste. The integrated model incorporates Self-Determination Theory (SDT) factors (viz., amotivation, external regulation, identified regulation, intrinsic motivation, introjected regulation and integrated regulation) and Institutional Theory (IT) factors (viz., coercive pressure, mimetic pressure and normative pressure). Empirical data were collected through a printed questionnaire survey, with a total of 198 valid respondents. Moreover, this research utilized a hybrid data analysis method, using partial least squares structural equation modelling and artificial neural network to assess the model. The findings of this study indicate that all the SDT and IT factors are supported, except coercive pressure. This research adds to the existing body of knowledge on e-waste separation by shedding light on the problem from the viewpoint of mobile phone repairers, offering useful information to governments and waste recycling companies to understand the intentions of repairers with respect to e-waste separation and formulate such strategies that can enhance the involvement of repairers in e-waste separation activities.

Emerging concerns associated with E-waste exposure in Bangladesh

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to the increased generation of electronic waste (E-waste) throughout the world, and the proper management of this hazardous E-waste is of utmost challenge nowadays. Bangladesh, like any other developing country, needs to develop an appropriate E-waste management strategy and increase public awareness of handling E-waste. This research aims to provide a detailed overview of Bangladesh's current E-waste generation scenario and its impact on human health and the environment. Furthermore, the existing policies and strategies followed by the Government of Bangladesh are briefly discussed, and different potential strategies that can enhance the existing management practice are also suggested. The study shows that improper E-waste management in Bangladesh resulted in a soil lead concentration of 587 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, which is far higher than the allowable limit provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, E-waste has resulted in air and dust containing a significant amount of Zn (2175 ppm) and Ni (1986 ppm). Water contamination is also a regular phenomenon due to the improper landfilling of the E-waste. Private-public partnership (PPP) and willingness to pay (WTP) are the two existing strategies the government uses for E-waste management. However, approaches like take-back and collection (TBC) and recognition-based (RB) systems may be incorporated to enhance the existing management scheme and ensure a sustainable future. This research will help the authorities develop a complete E-waste management route for Bangladesh that will greatly reduce the adverse effects of the waste by a significant margin.

E-waste recycling in an optimized way for copper recovery by leaching and a case study on E-waste generation and management in Dhaka city

The widespread adoption of electronic devices has enhanced living standards but has also led to a surge in electronic waste (e-waste), creating serious environmental and health challenges. Although various methods exist to recover valuable metals from e-waste, each has notable drawbacks. Among these, chemical leaching with aqua regia is widely used but is both highly corrosive and hazardous. This study introduces a safer, more environmentally friendly approach to copper recovery from e-waste using an iron-based leaching solution. A combination of experimental procedures and computational modeling was employed to optimize copper extraction from printed circuit boards (PCBs). The experiments involved treating PCBs with iron-based solutions of different concentrations and testing the effectiveness over two distinct time periods. The most effective recovery rate, 72.69 % over five days, was achieved using a 50:50 mixture of ferrous and ferric sulfate. Computational analysis with Python's SciPy library further identified 5.92 g of PCB as the ideal input quantity for the process. In addition to the lab-based work, a survey of Dhaka's primary e-waste recycling hubs, Nimtoli and Elephant Road, revealed that approximately 1173 tons of e-waste are processed in these areas each year. Based on experimental findings, the survey findings have a projection to generate over 35 million BDT annually through copper recovery. However, despite government initiatives to regulate e-waste management, unsafe handling practices remain widespread. These practices not only endanger workers and the environment but also hinder regulatory efforts. The study emphasizes the urgent need for stricter regulations, greater public awareness, and the adoption of eco-friendly methods, like the proposed iron-based solution, to ensure safer and more effective copper recovery.

A review on e-waste contamination, toxicity, and sustainable clean-up approaches for its management

Ecosystems and human health are being negatively impacted by the growing problem of electrical waste, especially in developing countries. E-waste poses a significant risk to ecological systems because it can release a variety of hazardous substances into the environment, containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers and heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and dioxins. This review article provides a critical assessment of the toxicological consequences of e-waste on ecosystems and human health and data analyses from scientific journals and grey literature on metals, BFRs, PBDEs, PCDFs, and PAHs in several environmental compartments of commercial significance in informal electronic trash recycling. The currently available techniques and tools employed for treating e-waste are sustainable techniques such as bioremediation, chemical leaching, biological leaching, and pyrometallurgy have been also discussed along with the necessity of implementing strong legislation to address the issue of unregulated exports of electronic trash in recycling practices. Despite the ongoing hurdles, implementing environmentally sustainable recycling methods have the potential to address the detrimental impacts of e-waste and foster positive economic development.

An in-depth analysis and review of management strategies for E-waste in the south Asian region: A way forward towards waste to energy conversion and sustainability

The soaring rise of electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) leads to significant challenges to the South Asian region, urging for incorporating comprehensive assessment and management strategies. The research dives into the intricacies of E-waste and examines how regulatory barriers, public ignorance, and the limited lifespan of electronic devices all contribute to the significant production of E-waste. This study emphasizes the vital need for ongoing and appropriate management practices by bringing attention to the short lifespan of electronic devices and the resulting generation of E-waste. This work also addresses the increased risks that people who live close to informal recycling sites for electronic waste face, as well as the dangerous substances that are found in them and how they harm the environment and human health. Furthermore, in order to promote circular economies and increase productivity, the study assesses management practices in both developed and developing nations, placing special emphasis on component reuse and recycling. Along with addressing the grave consequences of the illicit E-waste trade on the environment, particularly in developing nations, this review attempts to enlighten stakeholders and policymakers about the vital need for coordinated efforts to address the issues related to E-waste in the South Asian region by offering insights into E-waste assessment and management techniques.

A critical review on sustainable hazardous waste management strategies: a step towards a circular economy

Globally, industrialisation and urbanisation have led to the generation of hazardous waste (HW). Sustainable hazardous waste management (HWM) is the need of the hour for a safe, clean, and eco-friendly environment and public health. The prominent waste management strategies should be aligned with circular economic models considering the economy, environment, and efficiency. This review critically discusses HW generation and sustainable management with the strategies of prevention, reduction, recycling, waste-to-energy, advanced treatment technology, and proper disposal. In this regard, the major HW policies, legislations, and international conventions related to HWM are summarised. The global generation and composition of hazardous industrial, household, and e-waste are analysed, along with their environmental and health impacts. The paper critically discusses recently adapted management strategies, waste-to-energy conversion techniques, treatment technologies, and their suitability, advantages, and limitations. A roadmap for future research focused on the components of the circular economy model is proposed, and the waste management challenges are discussed. This review stems to give a holistic and broader picture of global waste generation (from many sources), its effects on public health and the environment, and the need for a sustainable HWM approach towards the circular economy. The in-depth analysis presented in this work will help build cost-effective and eco-sustainable HWM projects.

Towards a sustainable and green approach of electrical and electronic waste management in Rwanda: a critical review

Electric and electronic equipment (EEE) consumption has grown to worrisome proportions in developing countries (DC_S), resulting in massive amounts of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) being produced. A diagnosis of e-waste proliferation is required for its sustainable management plan in Rwanda. This review is based on open-access papers with e-waste as a keyword, the present situation of EEE, and e-waste in Rwanda. The need for various information communication and technology (ICT) tools, such as end-user devices, cooling-system devices, network equipment, and telecommunication devices, is strongly encouraged by Rwandan national plans, which deem ICT as a vital enabler of knowledge-based economy and development. In 2014, EEE was 33,449 tonnes (t), which is expected to be 267,741 t in 2050, with a yearly increase rate of 5.95%. In this regard, out-of-date EEE is being dumped as e-waste in large quantities and at an increasing rate across Rwanda. E-waste is often disposed of in uncontrolled landfills together with other types of household waste. To address this rising threat, as well as to preserve the environment and human health, proper e-waste management involving e-waste sorting/separation from other waste streams, repairs, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, and disposal has been proposed.