EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT, ECONOMY AND THE POTENTIAL OF METAL RECOVERY OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC WASTES (E-WASTE)

Abstract

Electrical and electronic devices have become indispensable part of our daily life. Along with advancing technology, more new models are introduced to the market and the consumption increases. Many people have no idea about what is done with the expired electrical and electronic devices. All in all, people today are faced with a new type of waste called as electronic waste. E-waste problem becomes even greater when we consider that large space they occupy and the toxic substances in them. A computer screen with cathode ray tube (CRT) contains lead almost as 6% of its weight. Today, collecting E-waste to recycle and to recover heavy metals in them under healthy conditions is also important for environment and human health. These precious metals to be recovered from E-waste is a great source of raw materials for mining activities which are interrupted by such reasons as high cost and technical incompetence. When we look at EU standards, it is obvious that consumers also have been put under some obligations to dispose e-waste. In Turkey, various administrative, legal and technical principles about E-waste have been arranged and the procedure and principles concerning environment-friendly recycling and disposal of waste of electrical and electronic devices have been determined by Regulations On Limiting the Use of Some Harmful Substances in Electrical and Electronic Goods which became effective on May 30, 2008. In this study, we tried to analyze formation, potential, metal content and disposal of E-waste and relevant legal regulations both on national and international scale. In addition, various suggestions have been put forward for management and economy of E-waste and recycling of precious metals in them.