Metals recycling from WEEE helps substantial level of energy saving then metal minimizing from ores. For instance, Cui and Forssberg (2003), advised that the extaction and recovering of metals (Al:95%, Cu:85%, Fe:74%, Pb:65%, and Zn:60%) saves level of the overall energy needed to mine them from primary resources. Thus, recovery of metals from WEEE has great importance in minimizing the greenhouse emissions owing to the decrease of the consumption of energy sources. For example, Kumar et al., (2017), suggested that, the recycling of 10 kg Al, minimizing about 0.11 kg of SO2(g) and 20 kg of CO2(g) emission, along with saving 90% energy and minimizing (13 kg) bauxite residues. Therefore, it is reasonable and competent. It will show significant managing role in conserving the energy.
The increases in e-waste collection rate, and appropriate recycling in terms of environmentally friendly way and an energy efficient support both to the environment and an economy. Therefore, in order to solve the scarcity of the primary metal resources, and minimize environmental impact, introducing innovative approach, and industrial strategies for treating the materials from WEEE in eco-friendly and energy efficient way is necessary. In this context, according to smelting plant known as Boliden Rönnskär (Skelleftehamn, Sweden), removing metals from electronic waste involves about 10% to 15% of the entire energy needed in metal mining from natural ores. But, still a capital investment is needed for setting up a combined WEEE recycling unit with better rate of recovery of metals, also condition should be properly equipped for treatment hazardous gas, although pyro-metallurgical method is usually known as economical costly and eco-efficient, while excellent for the recovery of precious metals (Hagelüken, 2006).
According to Friedrich (2017) thermal energy generated during the process, which could be recovered by integrated steaming systems. In addition, the reduced carbon throughout the pyrolysis helps to the pyro-metallurgical method easier to regulate. According to Tesfaye et al. (2017), the sustainable e-waste recycling approaches solve the paucity of resources materials and also minimize the overall loss of energy, and in the same time managing environmental problems associated to hazardous materials in the WEEE. Thus, efficient recycling of WEEE is key in terms of resource efficiency along with waste management.
E-waste legislations in India
The rapid proliferation of e-waste can become problematic in perspective of environmental performance for high population density countries (Li et al., 2015). For effective management and recycling of e-waste, it is essential to make the good policies and then strict implementation at ground level. The Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) enforced the rules and regulation specific on “E-waste (Management and Handling), May 2011 (CPCB, 2011), which is based on EPR. Individual dealer, refurbishers, dismantler and collection center should be recognized by Pollution Control Board (Suja et al., 2014). The most recent E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 enforced since 1st October 2016 (CPCB, 2016). India also confirmed principles of Basel convention, 1992 held long time back, but still e-waste imports into the country are not controlled because several factors like donation in hidden nature (Shinkuma and Managi, 2010). The EPR principal is suffering due to hidden nature of actual producer or importer and each one are getting financial advantage (Kojima et al., 2009; Khetriwal et al., 2005). Akenji et al. (2011) advised that the EPR system need proper physical infrastructure, complying behavior and effective enforcement of regulation. They have also mentioned that absence of monitoring is major cause for illegal movement of e-waste. A brief comparative detail of e-waste management in India, along with other countries such as: EU, and US presented in Table 1.
Khetriwal et al. (2009) already discussed that, EPR should be applied in better manner, then it is helpful for improving the applicability with advanced technology like in Switzerland. Therefore, updated legislation, skilled workers, and technology, and better financing, in this sector can be proper solutions for ecofriendly e-waste management. In the meantime, consumer input should also be controlled and reinforced to improvement of collection channel. For instance, the almost developed countries have been well adopted EPR with higher collection rate as well as maintained by innovative technology for e-waste recycling. Den Boer et al. (2007) discussed that every environmental technology needs clean production, and life cycle assessment will improve internal operating models of organizations and result in improvement of overall environmental performance (Lu et al., 2015; Song et al., 2013). However, reuse and repair is very feasible in developing counties; about 60% discarded EEEs are collected by unorganized collector/sector. Then, it is transferred for dismantling and mechanical treatment, after that disposed unscientifically (Wang et al., 2010).
In India, the E-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011, was only focuses on EPR with low standard recycling technology with small recycling capacity. Subsequently, the adaptation of policy of other countries (EU, USA) are not key to get success with this problem, because each nation has different circumstances, however this could be used as roadmap initiative for India. The implementation of latest “E-waste (Management) Rule, 2016” is bigger task in India (Pérez-Belis et al., 2015; Torretta et al., 2013). For related context, Zeng et al. (2015) suggested that the integration mobile recycling plant is efficient approach for solving the e-waste problem and will be added as significant contribution in global environmental mitigation. Therefore, combination of pre-processing technology with environmental and health prospect at local level together with high standard end processing could be a suitable approach for knock of the dour of solution for e-waste problem (Wang et al., 2012). We consider all most of the concerns of authors concluded on the environmental issues facing the community in India (Bandyopadhyay, 2008; Manomaivibool, 2009; Wath et al., 2010; Dwivedy et al., 2015; Borthakur and Govind, 2017). Therefore, we believe that further much attention must be delivered, such as; appropriate measures to mitigate such problems, to develop the policy that help the adoption of measures.
Policy Implication
In terms of the negative effect of e-waste to surrounding environment as well as human health, a number of nations urged the requirement for an internationally to resolve this issue. But, the strategic initiatives about WEEE in India is relatively undeveloped and desires instant more care. Following are environmental law in India about WEEE. (i) The hazardous wastes (management and handling) amendment rules, 2003; (ii) Guidelines for environmentally sound management of e-waste, 2008; (iii) E-waste Management and Handling Rules, 2011. These three policy level initiatives well evaluated by Garlapati, (2016). In this article, we intended to evaluate the uncovered policy initiative which notified and enforced in E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 in India.
a. According to schedule-1, rules includes all the components, consumables, spares and parts which make the EEEs product operational. And the rules are applicable to each manufacturer, producer, consumer or bulk consumer, every collection centres, all the dealers / e-retailer / refurbisher, both dismantler and recycler involved in different stages for processing of EEEs (manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, collection, storage) or e-waste listed in Schedule I.
b. The new rules are intended for collection target, for example: first two years: 30% of the quantity of waste generation as specified in EPR Plan, and will be expected to be 70% total collection in seventh year.
c. The rules also extended the e-waste scope by including the Fluorescent and other Mercury containing lamps.
In last decade, WEEE is a become emerging issue, in developed countries (the USA, Japan and EU), very high environmental standards necessary for e-waste recycling, which resulted initiate illegal exports of e-waste from these countries to developing countries (India). This e-waste either reused or processed in the informal sector without environmental and health safety, additionally the labor cost is very less in India.
Before, 2010, there is no specific rules and regulation related to the E-waste issue; and the hazardous substances contains in WEEE are considered under “The Hazardous and Waste Management Rules, 2008” in India. Although, there are number of licensed (178 units) e-waste recycler in the all over country, but great amount of e-waste recycled is informally. However, India has enforced new E-waste (Management), Rules, 2016, but still need more time to see the output.
Though, India is developing effective measures in contrast to prevent e-waste illegal imports, and for environmentally sound management of e-waste, but these actions need more positive efforts at the native place to national as well as global levels. Sepúlveda et al. (2009), already suggested that, the better downstream monitoring of overseas e-waste up to the end point (destination) and the total stoppage of doubtful or illegal exports will be significantly help to reducing the hazardous waste from e-waste. Wath et al. (2011), suggested that, the policy should be maintain the balance among environmental, public health and along with the economic development in India. In addition to Awasthi et al. (2017) suggested that, the improving the bio-recovery of valuable metals contained therein, will be ecofriendly.
The points discussed in this articles provides insight for improving E-waste management system in India. The study shows that public participation is very important for improvement of e-waste sustainability.