E-Waste Management: Environmental Impacts, Health Risks, Regulations and Sustainable Management Strategies
Keywords:
Circular economy, Electronic waste, Environmental impact, E-waste, Extended producer responsibility, India, Occupational health, RecyclingAbstract
E-waste, or waste electrical and electronic equipment, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Discarded electrical and electronic products contain valuable materials such as copper, aluminium, iron and precious metals, but may also contain substances that require controlled handling. When e-waste is dumped, openly burned or dismantled using unsafe methods, contaminants may be released into the surrounding environment and may expose workers and communities to health risks. This review examines the major environmental and health impacts of e-waste, life cycle assessment (LCA), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), reuse and repair, recycling strategies, regulatory approaches, and selected international practices, with particular emphasis on India. The study is based on secondary research and a review of published literature and authoritative regulatory and health sources. The review indicates that sustainable e-waste management should follow a life-cycle approach that prioritizes prevention, durable and repairable product design, reuse, refurbishment, formal collection, environmentally sound recycling and safe management of residual waste. In India, the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 provide the current EPR-based regulatory framework for covered electrical and electronic equipment. Strengthening collection systems, enforcement, consumer awareness, recycling capacity, data quality, and the safe integration of informal workers is necessary for effective implementation.
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