E-Waste: From Generation to Management–Practices, Challenges, and Solutions

This book aims to create a comprehensive guide that explores the lifecycle of electronic waste, from its creation to its disposal. The main themes and objectives of this book revolve around understanding the various dimensions of e-waste management, including its environmental, social, economic, and regulatory aspects. Through a series of meticulously curated chapters, the book navigates through the lifecycle of electronic products, from production to disposal, and examines the environmental and health impacts associated with improper e-waste handling. It delves into the legal and regulatory frameworks governing e-waste management, explores sustainable design principles and circular economy approaches, and showcases best practices and case studies from around the globe. A key distinguishing feature of this work lies in its comprehensive coverage of e-waste management, encompassing diverse perspectives and experiences from both developed and developing regions. By presenting a rich tapestry of methodologies, case studies, and practical insights, the manuscript offers a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities in e-waste management, tailored to the needs of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders alike. Furthermore, it adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon insights from environmental science, engineering, policy studies, economics, and sociology to provide a holistic understanding of e-waste management. It embraces innovation and sustainability as guiding principles, encouraging readers to explore novel solutions and collaborative approaches in tackling the global e-waste crisis.

Dr. Prashant Shukla is an Associate Professor at the School of Advanced Engineering, UPES Dehradun, and a certified CAEV trainer by MG Motors. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in waste management technologies, automotive systems, and machine design. With over a decade of academic experience, he has made significant contributions to teaching, curriculum development, and research, particularly in the areas of sustainable mobility, energy harvesting, and innovative waste segregation systems. Dr. Shukla has also served as an Online Instructor of Design Thinking at the New School of Architecture & Design, San Diego, where he introduced students to creative and human-centered problem-solving approaches. His research has led to the granting of nine patents and several design registrations, reflecting his commitment to practical, real-world innovations. He has published extensively in reputed journals and contributed to multiple book chapters and academic books on DFMA, electric vehicles, and waste-to-wealth technologies. His work is supported by projects funded by academic and industrial bodies, including MG Motors, Hero MotoCorp, KPIT Sparkle, and UREDA. 

Dr. Sachi, an Assistant Professor (SG) at UPES Dehradun, holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering and boasts 11 years of rich experience in academia, research, and innovation. With a remarkable track record of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and noteworthy publications, Dr. Sachi is recognized for her expertise in computer science. Despite her background, she has embarked on an exciting journey into waste management, particularly focusing on electronic waste (e-waste) and sustainable practices. 

Dr. P.S. Ranjit is a distinguished academician, researcher, and industry collaborator with over 22 years of teaching experience across undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programs. He currently serves as the Dean – International Relations and Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Aditya University, Surampalem, Andhra Pradesh, a role he has held since 2018. Prior to this, he led the Automotive Design Engineering division at UPES, Dehradun, for a decade, where he was instrumental in shaping industry-driven academic programs and research initiatives. He holds a Ph.D. in Internal Combustion Engines, an M.E. in Mechanical Engineering, and a B.E. in Automobile Engineering, in which he secured a University Second Rank, along with a State Rank in his Diploma in Automobile Engineering. His academic and professional affiliations are notable—he is a Board of Studies Member at JNTU Kakinada, SAEINDIA Faculty Development Core Committee Member, and Managing Committee Member of SAEINDIA Amaravathi Division. 

Prof. (Dr.) Akarsh Verma is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies), Dehradun, India. He obtained a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, India; and did his postdoctoral research work at Brigham Young University, USA. He serves the research community by acting as a reviewer for various International journals (Nature, Elsevier, Springer, Sage, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, IOP, etc.) and has reviewed several research articles. In addition, he has published various research articles in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals, many books and book chapters, and has also presented many research papers at various international/national conferences.