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!
