Sources, composition and management strategies of waste electrical and electronic equipment: a review

Abstract

Nowadays, in all sectors we are dealing with an intense development of technology, necessary on the one hand for our everyday lifestyle, but however with a major impact on the environment due to the lack of a proper infrastructure. In the case of electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) management, due to their volume and composition, further expertise is needed for the collection and processing of electronic waste in an ecological way. Although different laws are adopted at national and international level, many illegal practices are registered among producers, consumers and stakeholders for the end-of-life of WEEE management. The purpose of this study is to raise the awareness of stakeholders regarding the assurance of sustainable development, by reducing the impact on the environment and natural resources conservation, following the best practices recommended for an eco-friendly management. Through this paper, useful strategies applied in several developed countries for the management of WEE have been studied and analyzed, and future perspectives regarding the management of electronic waste (e-waste) are suggested. In addition, human population should be more conscious regarding the significance of handling and recycling of WEEE.