Electronic Waste Management: Challenges and Opportunities

Managing waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment is recognized as one of the major environmental challenges for the twenty-first century around the world. Every year e-waste is growing at a rate of 3–5% and is estimated to reach 52.2 million tons by the year 2021. Most of the research technologies developed for the recycling of e-waste in pilot or laboratory scale require validation in terms of design, operation, and cost. Proper management can not only protect the environment from pollution but also provide alternate secondary sources for these metals.