Types of e-waste and examples of equipment

In my earlier article I explained the definition of e-waste and the dangers of improper handling of e-waste. Some people may have been left wondering what e-waste categories exist and types of equipments in each category. In this post I present these details. Please follow my later posts where I will be explaining how to deal with each e-waste category while complying with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999) and EMCA Amendment Act (2015).
The National Environment Management Authority published the “Guidelines for E-waste management in Kenya” (NEMA, 2010) where the categories of e-waste are explained in great detail. These are explained as shown below.
ICT and Telecommunications equipment
Mainframes, personal computers (CPU, mouse, screen and keyboard etc), laptop computers, printers, networking equipment, scanners, mobile phones, CD / DVDs / floppy disks, UPSs, radio sets, television sets, video cameras, video recorders, Hi-fi recorders, audio amplifiers and musical instruments.
Office electronics
Photocopying equipment, electrical and electronic typewriters, pocket and desk calculators, facsimile and telephones.
Large Household Appliances
Refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dish washing machines, cooking equipment, microwaves, electric heating appliances, electric hot plates, electric radiators, electric fans, air conditioner appliances, exhaust ventilation and conditioning equipment, large appliances for heating beds, rooms and seating furniture.
Small Household Appliances
Vacuum cleaners, carpet sweepers, water dispensers, toasters, fryers, appliances for hair-cutting, hair drying, brushing teeth, shaving and massage; electric knives, clocks, appliances used for sewing, knitting and weaving.
Consumer Equipment
Equipment for turning, milling, sanding, grinding, sawing, cutting, shearing, drilling, punching, folding, bending or processing wood, metal and other materials. Tools for riveting, nailing or screwing or removing rivets, nails, screws or similar uses. Tools for welding, soldering or similar use. Tools for mowing or other gardening activities, sewing machines etc.
Toys, leisure and sports equipment
Electric trains or car racing sets, hand-held video game, video games, computers for biking, diving, running, rowing, etc. Sports equipment with electric or electronic components.
Lighting
Fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge lamps, pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps, low pressure sodium lamps and any other lighting or equipment for the purpose of spreading or controlling light with the exception of filament bulbs.
Medical equipment
Scanners, operating electrical equipments such as stethoscopes, radiotherapy equipment, cardiology equipment, dialysis equipment, pulmonary ventilators, nuclear medicine equipment, laboratory equipment for in-vitro diagnosis, analyzers and freezers. Other electrical appliances for detecting, preventing, monitoring, treating, alleviating illness, injury or disability.
Automatic dispensers
Automatic dispensers for hot drinks, for hot or cold bottles or cans, for solid products, for money, and other appliances which deliver automatically all kind of products.
Monitoring and control instruments
Smoke detectors, heating regulators, thermostats, measuring, weighing or adjusting appliances for household or as laboratory equipment and other monitoring and control instruments used in industrial installations.
Batteries
Lead, Nickel and Cadmium batteries etc.
Reference
NEMA (2010) Guidelines for E-waste management in Kenya. NEMA, Nairobi
Questions
1. From the list of categories, equipments and appliances itemized, what e-waste do you have at home that require appropriate disposal?
2. Have you witnessed any e-waste disposed improperly within your vicinity?
3. What are the hazards associated with improper disposal of the e-waste in your custody?
4. Where are the appropriate disposal sites within your region for the e-waste?