E-Waste: A Global Problem, Its Impacts, and Solutions

Definition And Origins Of The Problem

E-waste, also known more technically as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) or EEE (electrical and electronic equipment) for short, can be defined as “any discarded product that has a battery and/or plug, contains hazardous substances, and can pose a severe risk to human health and the environment (Forti et al., 2020). Another definition states that “e-waste encompasses a broad and growing range of electronic devices ranging from large household devices and consumer electronics to computers and devices which have been discarded by their users” (Shahabuddin et al., 2022; Puckett et al., 2002). Simply put, it is waste that emanates from discarded, used, and otherwise unwanted electronic and electrical devices. There are a wide range of items which can fit into this category, and a rough categorization can be made using the categories ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) and computer equipment and hardware, household appliances, consumer equipment, and electronic accessories/components. Examples of these kinds of devices are found in Table 1.