E-waste stands for electronic waste which means the waste that is generated through the electronic devices post its utility. Not just in India but globally as well many of them are not even aware that there exists some waste known as electronic waste. Electronic waste is a modern phenomenon due to the rampant utilization of devices such as phones, computers, laptops, air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators etc. These electronic devices that are discarded after its shelf-life is known as electronic waste. The electronic devices that were once upon a time considered as luxury have taken the place of necessity these days. Life without most of the abovementioned electronic devices cannot be imagined. Surely these electronic devices have made our lives very comfortable and convenient but at the same time there is a question that needs serious attention and that is- What happens to these electronic devices once we discard them?
We all are using electronic devices these days but many are not aware that an electronic device is made up of many toxic materials. The technological advancement has resulted into enormous generation of toxic and harmful electronic wastes in the society. Every country is technologically advancing and we all want to have the best of technology. The rapid changes in technology and the hype for better versions of electronic devices has enkindled the rise in utilization of latest electronic devices resulting into thoughtless and reckless disposal of the older versions of those electronic devices. In India we have the best of devices that are available in the market. From phones to refrigerators, we have ample of options available. These options are not just in terms of designs, brands, colours or patterns of the electronic devices but also it applies to the prices at which these devices are available.
Since we all use electronics, we all need to understand the global impact of discarding electronics. Silver, copper, gold etc. form part of expensive electronic devices and apart from these components there are also components such as lead, beryllium, cadmium etc. that are toxic in nature and if not recycled in an appropriate manner it could result into several disastrous effects in the society. In a developing country like India, most of the electronic scrap lands up in the informal sector for its recycling where there is least consideration towards health and environment. Even the people in the unorganised sector are not aware of the repercussions pertaining to the electronic waste that is dumped with the other waste. At times the susceptible group of women and children are employed in such informal sectors posing a great threat to their lives due to the hazardous and toxic materials that they are exposed to on a daily basis and which they are not even aware of.
In schools and colleges, we are taught about biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste but at the same time we need to make our generation aware about electronic waste which is the waste that is generated through the electronic devices that are discarded post its shelf life. The lockdown made many of them come online in terms of their education and jobs. The use of electronic devices especially phones, computers and laptops increased drastically.
We all live in a globalized world where every human is related to the other on the basis of humanity. It is only the humanly concern that is the guiding force which can make us uneasy on reading, hearing or seeing instances where people from the unorganized sectors have to pay the price for someone else’s scrap in the form of various diseases that they are susceptible to. There are various laws across the globe that have been formulated to combat the harmful effects of electronic waste but through the apt execution and implementation of these laws and various guidelines a major difference can be made not just in the present but also in the future because the acts of today are the consequences of tomorrow.
We are in an era where technology has taken a vital place in our life. Today, every sector requires an electronic device to have it well organised and managed. As responsible citizens of the society we need to take this issue of e-waste very seriously so that we contribute to the environment in some form or the other for the best it has given to us.
The Indian cities are helped in keeping clean through the informal sector waste pickers who contribute largely from collecting of the e-waste to its recycling. They at times are also involved in recycling the waste that is generated in the country. We see the waste pickers in our society on a daily basis but how much do we know about the problems and difficulties that they encounter while they pick the waste which is discarded by us? They are just people like us who make our lives easy and convenient. Electronic waste that is produced in the country is either dumped in the landfills or the next option available is to burn it. The urgent challenge and the need of the hour is to strike a balance between the protection of life and environment in India and at the same time there is also a need to ensure sustainable consumption. It is we the people of the society who can make a difference by giving the topic of electronic waste equal importance like the way we do to rest of the topics in the society.
There is a requirement for effective awareness on a state and national level to reduce the adverse impact that the electronic waste; if not discarded in the appropriate manner will have over the human life and the environment. You too can make a difference in the society by sharing information on electronic waste and making many of your acquaintances aware on what is electronic waste and what are the repercussions of not discarding this waste in an appropriate manner. This would be your contribution towards the society that you are a part of!