E Waste Management (BEC755A) Module-1

MODULE 5
Restrictions on Use of Hazardous Substances (ROHS): Hazardous substances in e-waste,
Global ROHS compliances (ROHS Directive 84), ROHS compliance requirements in India
E-Waste Recycling: E-waste Recycling Operations, Dismantling & Segregation,
Recycling & Recovery, Recycling Technologies

➢ Restrictions on Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS): Hazardous Substances

in E-Waste
1. Introduction
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is an environmental directive that aims
to reduce pollution caused by electronic and electrical waste (e-waste). It restricts the use
of certain toxic materials in the manufacture of electronic equipment to prevent harm to
human health and the environment.
E-waste often contains hazardous substances such as heavy metals and flame retardants.
When these products are discarded or improperly recycled, they can release toxic
chemicals into the soil, water, and air.

2. Purpose of RoHS
The main goals of RoHS are to:
• Prevent the release of hazardous materials from electronic waste.
• Encourage safer product design and sustainable manufacturing.
• Protect workers involved in e-waste dismantling and recycling.
• Promote recycling and reuse of non-toxic materials.

3. Major Hazardous Substances in E-Waste Restricted by RoHS

RoHS restricts six main hazardous substances commonly found in electronic and
electrical equipment:
Chemical Major Use in Environmental / Health
Substance
Symbol Electronics Impact
Causes damage to the nervous
Soldering materials, system, kidneys, and
Lead Pb
glass in CRTs reproductive system. Toxic to
soil and water.
Switches, relays, Affects the brain and nervous
Mercury Hg fluorescent lamps, LCD system; bioaccumulates in
screens aquatic food chains.
Batteries,
Carcinogenic; causes bone and
Cadmium Cd semiconductors,
kidney damage.
pigments
Hexavalent Metal coatings for circuit Highly toxic and carcinogenic;
Cr⁶⁺ corrosion resistance
Chromium pollutes soil and groundwater.

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E Waste Management (BEC755A) Module-1

Chemical Major Use in Environmental / Health

Substance
Symbol Electronics Impact
Persistent organic pollutants;
Polybrominated Flame retardants in
– cause liver toxicity and
Biphenyls (PBB) plastics
endocrine disruption.
Affects thyroid function and
Polybrominated
Flame retardants in nervous system;
Diphenyl Ethers –
circuit boards, cables bioaccumulates in the
(PBDE)
environment.

4. Why These Substances Are a Problem in E-Waste

• When e-waste is burned or dumped, these chemicals leach into soil and water or
release toxic fumes.
• Informal recycling (common in developing countries) exposes workers to
dangerous levels of heavy metals and chemicals.
• Over time, these toxins enter the food chain, leading to chronic health and
ecological damage.

5. RoHS Standards and Limits

According to RoHS (Directive 2011/65/EU and its amendments), the maximum
concentration values tolerated by weight in homogeneous materials are:
Substance Maximum Limit (ppm)
Lead (Pb) 1000 ppm
Mercury (Hg) 1000 ppm
Cadmium (Cd) 100 ppm
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr⁶⁺) 1000 ppm
PBB 1000 ppm
PBDE 1000 ppm
(ppm = parts per million)

6. Significance of RoHS in E-Waste Management

• Reduces hazardous waste entering landfills.
• Encourages manufacturers to design eco-friendly products.
• Supports recycling industries by reducing toxic contamination.
• Improves worker safety during dismantling and processing of e-waste.

The RoHS Directive is a crucial global initiative that ensures electronic devices
are made safer for both people and the planet. By controlling hazardous substances in
electronics, it helps minimize the toxic impact of e-waste and supports a sustainable
circular economy.

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➢ Global ROHS compliances

• Global RoHS compliance for e-waste means that electronic equipment sold in
different markets worldwide must restrict hazardous substances to protect the
environment and human health, even though the original directive is from the
European Union.
• Many countries have adapted the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances
(RoHS) directive, creating a global regulatory framework for the proper disposal
and recycling of electronics by limiting substances like lead, mercury, and
cadmium.
• This practice encourages the use of safer materials during production and
contributes to a circular economy.
1. European Union (EU) RoHS Directive
• Directive Number: 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2), amended by 2015/863/EU (RoHS 3)
• Original Directive: 2002/95/EC (RoHS 1)
• Commonly referred to as: "EU RoHS"
Restricted Substances (Maximum 0.1% by weight unless noted):
1. Lead (Pb)
2. Mercury (Hg)
3. Cadmium (Cd) — 0.01% limit
4. Hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺)
5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
6. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
7. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
8. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
9. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
10. Disobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
scope:
Covers nearly all electrical and electronic equipment, including consumer electronics,
medical devices, industrial tools, lighting, and more.
2. China RoHS (China RoHS 2)
• Official Name: Administrative Measure on the Control of Pollution Caused by
Electronic Information Products
• Latest Version: China RoHS 2 (effective 2016)
• Requires labeling of hazardous substance content
3. Japan RoHS (J-MOSS)
• Focuses mainly on labeling.
• Regulated under JIS C 0950.
• Applies to specific product categories (e.g., PCs, monitors, air conditioners,
etc.).
4. Korea RoHS
• Law: Act for Resource Recycling of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and
Vehicles
• Modeled after EU RoHS.

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• Similar substance restrictions and requirements for product marking and

documentation.
5. India RoHS
• Regulation: E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016
• Restricts the same 10 substances as EU RoHS.
• Applies to manufacturers, importers, and sellers of electronic equipment.
6. United States
• No federal RoHS law.
• Several state-level regulations exist:
• California RoHS closely mirrors EU RoHS.
• Other states may have e-waste or toxic substance bans.
7. Other Regions
• Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, Singapore, and others have implemented their own
RoHS-aligned regulations.
• Most align closely with EU RoHS for trade compatibility.

➢ ROHS compliance requirements in India

• RoHS compliance in India requires manufacturers and importers to ensure their
electrical and electronic equipment does not exceed concentration limits for specific
hazardous substances: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium by weight in
homogeneous materials.
• Compliance involves product testing, creating a technical file with supplier
declarations and test reports, and obtaining a Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
Key requirements
· Hazardous substance limits:
Products must not exceed the maximum concentration values for specific substance.
· Applicable products:
The rules apply to a wide range of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), including
household appliances, IT and communication equipment, consumer electronics, lighting,
electrical tools, toys, medical devices, and monitoring and control instruments.
·Testing:
Products must be tested by accredited laboratories to confirm they meet the substance
limits
Documentation:
A comprehensive set of documents is required, including:
• Supplier Material Declarations
• Test Reports from accredited laboratories
• Bill of Materials (BOM)
• Risk Assessments
• A formal Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
• A technical file containing all relevant information
Compliance maintenance:
Ongoing procedures for internal audits, training, and supplier management are necessary

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to maintain compliance over time, as standards can evolve.

How to achieve compliance
1. Finalize product and gather information:
Determine which product(s) need to be certified and collect detailed information about
their components and materials.
2. Conduct testing:
Send product samples to an accredited laboratory for RoHS testing to verify compliance
with the restricted substance limits.
3. Prepare documentation:
Assemble all required documents, including the BOM, supplier declarations, risk
assessments, and test reports.
4. Obtain the Declaration of Conformity (DoC):
This is a formal statement from the manufacturer that the product meets RoHS
requirements.
5. Engage a certification body:
A certification body or testing laboratory can guide you through the process and provide
the official certification upon successful evaluation

➢ E waste recycling
E-waste recycling operations involve collection, sorting, and disassembly of discarded
electronics to recover valuable and hazardous materials. The process includes data
destruction, shredding, and advanced mechanical separation techniques like magnetic and
water separation to isolate metals, plastics, and glass. Finally, these materials are refined
and prepared for reuse in new products.
Step-by-step breakdown of e-waste recycling operations
1. Collection:
E-waste is gathered from households and businesses through collection points, special
bins, or take- back programs and transported to recycling facilities.
2. Inspection and Sorting:
Items are initially sorted by type to identify devices that can be refurbished versus those
that need to be dismantled.
3. Data Destruction:
Before any dismantling, hard drives and other storage media are sanitized or physically
destroyed to prevent data theft.
4. Dismantling:
Devices are disassembled, either manually by skilled workers or with automated
equipment, to separate components like batteries, circuit boards, and wires.
5. Shredding:
Components are shredded into smaller pieces to make material separation easier and
more efficient.
6. Mechanical Separation:
Advanced machinery is used to separate the shredded material. This includes:
• Magnetic separation: To remove ferrous metals like steel.
• Air classification: To separate lighter materials from heavier ones.

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• Water separation: To separate glass from plastics.

7. Material Recovery and Processing:
The separated materials are refined to be sold as raw materials for new
manufacturing. This includes melting metals, crushing and reforming glass, and
reprocessing plastics.
8. Hazardous Material Management:
Hazardous materials like lead and mercury are safely removed and disposed of in a way
that prevents environmental contamination.

➢ Dismantling & Segregation

• Dismantling and segregation of e-waste involves manually breaking down electronic
devices and then using mechanical processes to separate components and materials
like metals, plastics, and glass.
• The process starts with sorting and manually disassembling devices to remove
hazardous components (like batteries and mercury) and valuable items, followed by
mechanical shredding and separation techniques to further refine the materials for
recycling. Proper dismantling and segregation are crucial for safety, environmental
protection, and recovering valuable resources
Dismantling
• Receiving and sorting:
E-waste is sorted by type, size, and condition.
• Manual disassembly:
Technicians manually open devices and remove outer casings and easily accessible parts
like batteries and storage drives.
• Hazardous component removal:
Crucial step where hazardous components like batteries, CRT screens, mercury-
containing lamps, and capacitors are carefully removed to prevent contamination.
• Manual separation:
Components are physically separated and categorized into different streams (e.g., printed
circuit boards, plastics, metals).
Segregation and processing
• Mechanical processing: After manual disassembly, mechanical processes are used
to further sort and recover materials.
• Shredding: Devices are shredded to break them into smaller, uniform particles.
• Magnetic separation: Magnets are used to extract ferrous metals (like steel).
• Eddy current separation: This process separates non-ferrous metals (like
aluminum and copper).
• Air separation: Lighter materials are separated from heavier ones using air
currents.
• Refining: The separated materials are sent to specialized facilities for refining
and purification to be sold as raw materials.
• Hazardous waste management: The remaining hazardous residue is safely
disposed of in specialized landfills.

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➢ Recycling and recovery of e waste

• E-waste recycling and recovery involves a multi-step process that includes collection,
sorting, and dismantling of electronic devices to recover valuable materials like
metals and plastics for reuse.
• After collection, items are inspected to see if they can be refurbished or must be
dismantled.
• They are then sorted and manually disassembled into components like circuit boards
and batteries.
• Finally, these components are shredded and processed through separation techniques
such as magnetic, eddy current, and air classification to extract and refine materials
for new manufacturing.
1. Collection and logistics
E-waste is collected from consumers and businesses through designated drop-off points,
collection bins, or pick-up services.
2. Inspection and sorting
• Items are inspected to determine if they are suitable for refurbishment or need to
be dismantled for recycling.
• Data on storage media is destroyed or sanitized to prevent data theft.
• Hazardous components like batteries are separated for special processing.
3. Dismantling
Skilled workers manually take apart devices to separate components like batteries, circuit
boards, plastics, and wires.
4. Shredding and separation
• The separated components are shredded into smaller pieces.
• Various mechanical separation techniques are used, including:
• Magnetic separation: Pulls out ferrous metals like iron and steel.
• Eddy current separation: Isolates non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum.
• Air and water separation: Separates materials based on density, like plastics from
glass.
5. Material recovery and reuse
• The separated materials are processed further to remove impurities.
• Recovered materials such as metals, plastics, and glass are sent to be processed
for use in new products. For example, metals can be smelted, and plastics can be
melted and molded.
• The final step of material recovery aims to produce high-purity materials that can
be sent back into manufacturing, contributing to a circular economy.

➢ Recycling technologies for e waste

• E-waste recycling technologies include automated sorting systems using AI to
separate components, advanced material recovery techniques like shredding and
chemical leaching for metals, and thermal processes such as pyrolysis to handle non-
recyclable waste.

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• More eco-friendly methods like hydrometallurgical processes and Deep Eutectic

Solvents (DES) are also used to extract valuable metals while reducing hazardous
chemicals.
Automated and mechanical separation
• AI-powered sorting:
Robotic arms, sensors, and AI are used to quickly and accurately sort e-waste into
categories like plastics, metals, and circuit boards.
• Shredding and separation:
Devices are shredded into smaller pieces, and then magnetic and air separation
technologies are used to separate materials like ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
• Screening technology:
Specialized screening equipment sorts materials into clean fractions to improve the
efficiency of subsequent sorting processes. Chemical and thermal processing
• Hydrometallurgical processes:
This involves using acid leaching to dissolve metals from e-waste residue. The metals
can then be recovered through processes like precipitation or electroplating.
• Pyrolysis and thermal processing:
These techniques heat e-waste in the absence of oxygen to break down organic
materials, recovering valuable products like syngas and biochar from plastics and
other non-recyclable components.
• Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES):
A newer, non-toxic approach that uses environmentally friendly solvents to dissolve
metals from e-waste. This method is highly selective, energy-efficient, and
recyclable.
Other techniques
• Bioleaching:
An emerging method that uses bacteria and other microorganisms to separate
valuable raw materials from e-waste.
• Eco-friendly dismantling:
Manual and automated techniques are used to disassemble devices in a way that
minimizes the release of toxic emissions and prevents harmful chemicals from
polluting the environment.

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