END-OF-LIFE MANAGEMENT OF CELL PHONES IN INDIA

Abstract

Abstract

Generation of solid waste has grown in a rapid manner over the last decade. Bulk of this waste is being dumped in the open in an uncontrolled manner resulting into pollution of water bodies and land and causing uncontrolled emission of methane. This problem can be significantly mitigated through adoption of environment friendly technologies for treatment and processing wastes before disposal to recover valuable resources and energy. Wastes such as electronic waste (e-waste), have been new entrants among more traditional waste such as plastic and industrial scrap, higher return for the recyclers. E-waste, also known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipments (WEEE), the growing consumption rates of EEE in developing India and international and domestic policies on tackling WEEE make it obvious that there is consensus on the significance of this problem. Likewise managing waste from end-of-life management of mobile phones has surfaced as a challenge. Most mobile phone users in India have prolonged the life of their handset by keeping it for as long as possible and having it repaired when necessary. But this culture is changing. The rapid evolution of mobile technology and the falling cost of new handsets mean users are replacing them more frequently, means that more mobile phones are entering the e-waste stream than ever before. As the volume grows, so does the need for responsible end-of- life management of mobile phones.

Keywords: End-of-life Management, Mobile phones, Environmental Impact.

Cite this Article
Vijay Shankul, Amit Bhumarker. End-of-
Life Management of Cell Phones in India.
Journal of Industrial Safety Engineering.
2017; 4(3): 1–9p.