E-WASTE MANAGEMENT: IMPACTS, METHODS, AND FACTORS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The rapid pace of technological advancement contributes to the generation of a substantial amount of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which contains not only recyclable materials but also toxic substances hazardous to the environment and human health. Households frequently dispose of large quantities of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), either due to hardware failure or simply to upgrade to newer technologies. The management of WEEE is a complex issue. Numerous factors must be taken into account when making decisions regarding the fate of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment and its sustainable management. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the WEEE management problem, examining the environmental risks stemming both from the composition of these wastes and their final disposal methods (such as landfilling, incineration, etc.) due to the presence of various hazardous chemical substances. Finally, the factors influencing the sustainable management of WEEE are briefly outlined.