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A Review on Global E-Waste Management: Urban Mining towards a Sustainable Future and Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Venkatesha Murthy

    (VANS Chemistry Pte Ltd., Singapore 658065, Singapore)

  • Seeram Ramakrishna

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore)

Abstract

The trending need for smarter electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is surging globally by the year and is giving rise to huge amounts of outdated EEE going into landfills. This has caused enormous threats to our environment and the health of living beings due to its unsustainable ways of collection, treatment and disposal of waste EEE or E-waste. With increasing E-waste, the formal sectors lack infrastructure, technology and expertise required to collect and process the E-waste in an environmentally sound manner. This article is intended to bring out the global best practices in the field of E-waste management, to shed light on the importance of policy implementation, technology requirement and social awareness to arrive at a sustainable and circular economy. Although about 71% of the world’s populace has incorporated E-waste legislation, there is a need to enforce and implement a common legal framework across the globe. The article explains the gap created among the stakeholders and their knowledge on the roles and responsibilities towards a legalized E-waste management. It further explains the lack of awareness on extended producer responsibility (EPR) and producer responsibility schemes. Despite various legislations in force, numerous illegal practices such as acid leaching, open incineration, illegal dumping carried out by the informal sector are causing harm to the environment, natural resources and the safety of unorganized and unskilled labor. The article discusses the crucial need for awareness amongst stakeholders, consumer behavior and the global challenges and opportunities in this field to achieve a low-carbon, circular economy. To conclude, the article highlights the importance of common legal framework, EPR and licenses, transformation of the informal sector, benchmark technologies, responsibilities of various stakeholders and entrepreneurial opportunities to enhance the formal capacity. The article wholly advocates for transparency, accountability and traceability in the E-waste recycling chain, thus creating a greener environment and protecting our planet and natural resources for future generations.

Suggested Citation

  • Venkatesha Murthy & Seeram Ramakrishna, 2022. "A Review on Global E-Waste Management: Urban Mining towards a Sustainable Future and Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:2:p:647-:d:719646
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Florin Constantin Mihai & Maria-Grazie Gnoni & Christia Meidiana & Chukwunonye Ezeah & Valerio Elia, 2019. "Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): Flows, Quantities, and Management—A Global Scenario," Post-Print hal-02276468, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bablu K. Ghosh & Saad Mekhilef & Shameem Ahmad & Swapan K. Ghosh, 2022. "A Review on Global Emissions by E-Products Based Waste: Technical Management for Reduced Effects and Achieving Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Md Sahabuddin & Md Billal Hossain & Maryam Khokhar & Mohamed Sharaf & Sarmad Ejaz & Faisal Ejaz & Csaba Bálint Illés, 2023. "The Effect of Eco-Preneurship and Green Technology Management on Greenhouse Gas Discharge: An Analysis on East Asian Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, April.
    3. T. Mahanth & C. R. Suryasekaran & S. G. Ponnambalam & Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan & Koppiahraj Karuppiah & Izabela Ewa Nielsen, 2023. "Modelling the Barriers to Circular Economy Practices in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu in Managing E-Wastes to Achieve Green Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Catalina Soriana Sitnikov & Laura Vasilescu & Anca Bandoi & Daniela Firoiu & Sorin Tudor & Lili tenea, 2023. "Performance of EU Countries in Managing Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste in the Context of the Circular Economy," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(62), pages 115-115, February.
    5. Salma Taqi Ghulam & Hatem Abushammala, 2023. "Challenges and Opportunities in the Management of Electronic Waste and Its Impact on Human Health and Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    6. Dong, Weiwei & Niu, XiaoQin & Nassani, Abdelmohsen A. & Naseem, Imran & Zaman, Khalid, 2024. "E-commerce mineral resource footprints: Investigating drivers for sustainable mining development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    7. Dhiya Durani Sofian Azizi & Marlia M. Hanafiah & Kok Sin Woon, 2023. "Material Flow Analysis in WEEE Management for Circular Economy: A Content Review on Applications, Limitations, and Future Outlook," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, February.
    8. Ayisha Siddiqua & Maisa El Gamal & Waheed Kareem Abdul & Lama Mahmoud & Fares M Howari, 2022. "E-Device Purchase and Disposal Behaviours in the UAE: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    9. Rafaela Garbelini Anuardo & Maximilian Espuny & Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa & Ana Lígia Gil Espuny & Yiğit Kazançoğlu & Jayakrishna Kandsamy & Otávio José de Oliveira, 2023. "Transforming E-Waste into Opportunities: Driving Organizational Actions to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-21, September.
    10. Constantinescu Andreea & Frone Simona & Platon Victor, 2022. "E-Waste Management- Trends And Best Practice Solutions In Europe And Romania," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 6, pages 54-60, December.

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