Sustainable Management and Valorisation of Electronic Waste
摘要
Electronic waste, or e-wasteE-waste, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing waste streams worldwide, driven by shorter product life cycles, rising consumption of electronic devices and rapid technological advancements. The environment and human health are seriously threatened by improper e-wasteE-waste disposal, which contains toxic heavy metals, hazardous polymers and brominated flame retardants. Rare earth elements, precious metals and high-quality polymers are among the valuable commodities found in e-wasteE-waste, which is also a significant secondary resource. Therefore, the efficient management of e-wasteE-waste requires an integrated approach that incorporates circular-economy efforts, environmentally sound recycling, material recovery technologies and sustainable collection systems. With a focus on resource recoveryResource recovery paths, extended producer responsibilityExtended Producer Responsibility (EPR) (EPR), innovative recycling technologies and policy frameworks, this chapter explores the opportunities and challenges of handling e-waste. The development of green technologies, the promotion of safe handling practices and the improvement of value-chain collaboration are prioritised to maximise material recovery while minimising ecological footprints. The chapter also discusses how managing e-wasteE-waste could support the Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable development GoalsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (SDGs), including those related to responsible production and consumption, sustainable industrialisation and climate action.