Electrical and Electronic Waste: Environmental Impact and Risk Mitigation for Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

The modern world is associated with the use of different forms of electrical and electronic devices and components, utilized widely in various applications. Although the positive aspects of electrical and electronic equipment are very significant, the growing concern regarding various negative impacts, especially environmental damage and human health hazards, are of major concern. The research area of solid waste management, and especially efforts to understand the hazards posed by electrical and electronics waste, as well as treatment approaches and their challenges are major growing interests among researchers worldwide.     

This Special Issue mainly focuses on understanding the generation routes of electrical and electronic wastes, improper disposal and their hazardous effects. We aim to further address the problem by publishing papers addressing various solid waste management strategies; physical, chemical and biological treatment/recovery approaches; reutilization means; circular economy; and trends in sustainability approaches. 

In shifting towards global digitalization and modernization, the growth in electric and electronic goods and equipment is undeniable. As the development of new technology is very dynamic and rapidly changing, new equipment is continuously being invented, modified and upgraded—especially at the manufacturing stage. This scenario is the main cause of the increasing amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) worldwide, the toxic and hazardous compounds contained in which represent severe threats to the environment and living organisms. The chain towards sustainability will be affected by WEEE as it interferes with society, culture, environment, and economy. Due to these alarming threats, especially those towards human health, the disposal stage for WEEE has led to the establishment of rules and regulations enforced by the government and non-government sectors through public policies.

The goal of this Special Issue is to consolidate research and current thinking on assessing the environmental impact caused by the significantly increasing amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) globally while designing mitigation plans for the policy makers in realizing a sustainable way of life.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include (but aer not limited to) the following:

• Electric and electronic waste management strategies;
• Environmental risk assessment;
• Potential pathways in mitigating risks caused by WEEE;
• Physical treatment approaches;
• Chemical treatment approaches;
• Bioremediation of WEEE contaminants;
• Bioleaching of electronic waste;
• Biotechnological approaches to WEEE management;
• Recycling of WEEE;
• Resource recovery from WEEE;
• Circular economy and sustainability means of handling WEEE;
• Future outlooks on WEEE.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian
Dr. Nhamo Chaukura
Dr. Nur Izyan Wan Azelee
Prof. Dr. Jayanta Kumar Biswas
Prof. Dr. Lucas Meili
Guest Editors

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