Electronic Waste Management: An Emerging Challenge to the Environment

In developing countries, electronic goods are common in use and generate huge bulk of e-waste. Such waste is discharged into the environment due to broken electronic instruments, such as used computer parts, batteries, air conditioners, mobile phones, etc. Moreover, we cannot imagine our life without electronic gadgets. The ewaste contains several toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead, cadmium cobalt, nickel, and several other toxicants. Therefore, its disposal into the environment causes pollution of soil, water, and air, posing serious threats to all living beings. These wastes can be managed through product recycling through landfills, but it is still not a safe method because dumping sites can spill over a huge quantity of heavy metals, contaminating the surrounding area of soil and water. Thus, the proper management for the treatment of such wastes is necessary for a green environment. It is necessary to understand the public health risks and the strategies to combat this growing menace. Therefore, the main purpose of this chapter is to provide comprehensive information about the e-waste problems, strategies for their management, including microbiological, physical, and chemical treatments of e-wastes. The bioreactor technology using a specific group of microorganisms concerning to bioleaching of metals from the associated E-waste is a safe and ecofriendly remedial measure to combat this problem.