Environmentally Sound Recycling of E-waste: A Sustainable Method Toward a More Resource-Efficient Circular Economy

E-waste has emerged as a fast-growing solid waste, posing significant environmental risks to health and the environment. Besides containing potentially hazardous materials, e-waste was also considered a valuable resource as it contains metals that can be extracted for reuse. Inappropriate or unsafe handling of e-waste through informal processing to extract valuable metals would not only impact the ecosystem but also cause potential health hazards to those who were exposed. A strategy needs to be developed to utilize environmentally sound and effective technologies to manage, recover, or reuse valuable resources associated with e-waste. This strategy will form a basis for developing e-waste-related circular economy, mitigating environmental pollution, protecting public health, and enhancing sustainable livelihood. A strategic approach to circular economy in managing e-waste will improve resource efficiency through extending the life of electrical and electronic equipment and create a balance of pathways to maximize its social, economic, and environmental benefits through reuse, recycling, and refurbishment. This chapter reviewed the current management policies on e-waste classifications, generation, and the flows of distribution; the laws and regulations governing the mitigation of e-waste generation; and the risk management in preventing occupational and environmental exposure to hazardous materials. Also reviewed were the current practices and advanced technologies in e-waste recycling, particularly those used in informal processing; the major challenges confronting the environmentally sound processing of e-waste; and the sustainable methods to reduce e-waste and increase income generation to enhance a resource-efficient circular economy.