What qualifies as ewaste?

The short answer is simple, nearly any out dated or non working electronic device that plugs into a wall or runs on batteries. So chances are whatever it is your thinking of in your head classifies as ewaste.

If you need more information on how ewaste is classified, keep reading. But we warned, this topic can get overwhelming.

The classification of E-waste in terms of its components, composition and its nature. The identification of hazard content will help to establish its coverage under existing regulations and the possible treatment technologies. The different kinds of components that can be found in obsolete Refrigerator, Washing Machine, TV and personal computers are described followed by location and concentration of hazardous content in them.

E-waste has been categorized into three main categories, Viz. Large Household Appliances, IT and Telecom and Consumer Equipment. Refrigerator and Washing Machine represent large household appliances, Personal Computer, Monitor and Laptop represent IT and Telecom, while Television represents Consumer Equipment. Each of these E-waste items has been classified with respect to twenty six common components, which could be found in them. These components form the “Building Blocks” of each item and therefore they are readily “identifiable” and “removable”. These components are metal, motor/ compressor, cooling, plastic, insulation, glass, LCD, rubber, wiring/ electrical, concrete, transformer, magnetron, textile, circuit board, fluorescent lamp, incandescent lamp, heating element, thermostat, BFR-containing plastic, batteries, CFC/HCFC/HFC/HC, external electric cables, refractory ceramic fibers, radio active substances and electrolyte capacitors (over L/D 25 mm).

Radioactive substances, refractory ceramic fibers, electrolyte capacitors (over L/D 25 mm), textile and magnetron are not present in any item.

Plastic, circuit board and external electric cables are present in majority of items. BFR containing plastic is present in refrigerator, laptop and television.

Refrigerators are unique items because of presence of CFC/HCFC/HFC/HC, cooling, insulation, incandescent lamp and compressor.

Heating element is found in washing machine, while thermostat is found in both refrigerator and washing machine.

Fluorescent lamp is found only in laptop

Metal and motor are found in majority of items except refrigerator

Transformer is not found in washing machine and refrigerator

CRT is found in personal computer and TV, while LCD is found in PC and TV

Batteries are found in PC and laptop

Concrete is found in washing machine

Rubber is found in refrigerator and washing machine

Wiring/ Electrical is found in all the items

Large household appliance (refrigerator) may consist of electric motor, a circuit board, a transformer, capacitor, thermal insulation, switches, wiring, plastic casing that contain flame retardants etc. A typical washing machine may consist of the metal casing, concrete ballast, inner and outer drums, a motor, a pump, washing cycle controller unit, switches and other components. The latest trends in these appliances is the phase out of the use of ODS and improvement of energy efficiency. Old washing machines are likely to contain large capacitors, while in relatively new machines, variable speed motors are controlled from the circuit board. IT and Telecom equipments sector is observing a trend of “micro miniaturization”, while CRTs are being replaced by LCD screens.

Composition of E-waste

Composition of WEEE/ E-waste is very diverse and differs in products across different categories. It contains more than 1000 different substances, which fall under “hazardous” and “non-hazardous” categories. Broadly, it consists of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, glass, wood & plywood, printed circuit boards, concrete and ceramics, rubber and other items. Iron and steel constitutes about 50% of the WEEE followed by plastics (21%), non ferrous metals (13%) and other constituents. Non-ferrous metals consist of metals like copper, aluminum and precious metals ex. silver, gold, platinum, palladium etc. The presence of elements like lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, and hexavalent chromium and flame retardants beyond threshold quantities in WEEE / E-waste classifies them as hazardous waste. The possible substances of concern, which may be found in selected E-waste items, are given in our hazardous materials page.