What is e-waste ? Why is it harmful ? How should it be managed ?

Answer: Discarded electrical and electronic goods such as old computers, mobile phones, televisions, batteries and chargers are called e-waste.

Why harmful: e-waste contains toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated plastics. If it is thrown into landfills or burnt in the open, these substances get into the soil, water and air and can damage the nervous system, kidneys and lungs of people working with it.

Management:

1. Use gadgets for a long time; repair and reuse them instead of replacing them often.
2. Give old gadgets back to the company or to authorised e-waste collection centres and recyclers, where metals like copper, gold and silver are recovered safely.
3. Never burn e-waste or mix it with household garbage; keep it separate.