Electronic waste or e-waste is produced when electronic and electrical equipment are discarded after the end of their useful life. E-waste comprises of several valuable but harmful substances that can cause an adverse effect on human health. They contain several hazardous substances, such as mercury, arsenic, and other heavy metals.  It is estimated that 50 million tonnes of e-waste was generated globally in 2018. It is a cause of a major concern.

This month, our cover story titled, ‘E-waste Management in India: Challenges and Opportunities’ discusses the growing problem of e-waste in India and globally while throwing light on theimpact of recycling e-waste in the developing world.Worryingly, India ranks 177 amongst 180 countries and is amongst the bottom five countries on the Environmental Performance Index 2018, as per a report released at the World Economic Forum 2018. Also, India ranks fifth in the world amongst top e-waste producing countries after the USA, China, Japan, and Germany and recycles less than 2 per cent of the total e-waste it produces annually in formal sector. Distressingly, if e-waste is dismantled and processed in a crude manner, its toxic constituents can wreak havoc on the human body. Processes such as dismantling components, wet chemical processing, and incineration could result in direct exposure and inhalation of harmful chemicals.

Very recent studies on recycling of e-waste has pointed towards increasing concentrations of PCBs, dioxins and furans, plasticizers, BPA, and heavy metals in the surface soil of the four metro cities of India, where e-waste is being processed by the informal sectors. The formalization of the informal sector into a transparent recycling system is crucial for a better control on environmental and human health impacts. There have been some attempts towards integrating the existing informal sector in the emerging scenario. Also, The E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 were amended by the government in March 2018 to facilitate and effectively implement the environmentally sound management of e-waste in India. Considering the adverse impacts caused by untreated e-waste on land, water, and air; the government should encourage the new entrepreneurs by providing the necessary financial support and technological guidance. Establishment of start-ups connected with e-waste recycling and disposal should be encouraged by giving special concessions.

The feature article this month throws light on the history and efficacy of LEDs (light emitting diodes). The lighting systems based on LEDs are extremely energy efficient. They not only consume less electricity, but also have very long life. A major reason behind the energy efficiency exhibited by LEDs lies in the fact that they produce light directly without having to pass through an intermediate stage. LEDs neither have a filament nor a gas—they function solely through movement of electrons through semiconducting materials. So, LEDs are more energy efficient and brighter compared to other artificial light sources. The article also discusses some other interesting facets of LEDs.