E-Waste Generation and Management Practices in Dehradun, India

Abstract

The advancement in the electrical and electronic equipment and change in technology increases the demand of electronics appliances in the developing countries. People purchase electronic goods due to new features and capabilities. A lot more people sold or discard the older equipment’s without the knowledge of useful life which leads to enormous used electronic equipment called electronic waste (E-waste). In the developing countries like India which ranked fifth in producing e-waste globally, due to the lack of enough infrastructure and improper management practice. The present study evaluates the knowledge, management, dispose practices of e-waste and hazardous substances generated by the citizens of Dehradun, India in year 2019. An online questionnaire on 300 respondents based on calculating the sample size requirement was done in mid of year 2019.The outcome of the study show case the effect of e-waste generated by different income base groups with the inventory used by citizens in one year. Total number of heavy metals and plastics generated by household appliances and ICT and consumer electronics were also measured. The result showed up the need of awareness and urgent requirement of the serious issues of E-waste. The state government must involve without waiting for the upcoming adverse effects on environment and health risks to human lives.