Microbial Processes for Reducing E-Waste Pollution

Millions of tonnes of E-waste are dumped annually worldwide. The rapid growth of the industrial and technological sectors is increasing the produced materials of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Changes in the modern lifestyles and the population affordability of having new technologies enhanced the EEE industry. Several components and raw materials are involved in the production process. Shipping and exporting change the final destinations of produced materials. Developing and under-developing countries are bearing increased burdens of this industry and mostly receiving the low quality of the produced EEE products. The low-cost labor increased the established factories in these countries, leaving tonnes of E-waste resulting from manufacturing a wide range of E-products that were then shipped to other parts of the world. Despite the high benefits of the information revolution, the negative sides of accumulated toxic materials are increasing. New research that investigated the related risks and threats of EEE industry had shown a high potential of threatening both the environment and public health with their high loads of toxic metals and pollutants. The recently increased awareness of public health started to identify possible risks and develop an eco-friendly solution for accumulated E-waste. This chapter describes the capacity of microorganisms and the potential of bioremediation methods in decomposing and removing different types of dumped E-waste: the related risks and the limitations of the process.