Journal for Research| Volume 02 | Issue 11 | January 2017

ISSN: 2395-7549

India-Chennai E-Waste Handling Survey 2016

Udhayakumar. T Dr. K.Prabhakar
PG Student Dean
Department of Management Department of Management
SRM University, India SRM University, India

Abstract
The main focus of the thesis is about how an electronic waste is managed in India. The major defect lies in improper recycling
methods which are being adopted in the country. The absence of safety measures such as wearing masks and gloves has proved
to be unhygienic in the recycling environment. The demand for electronic waste treatment is increasing day by day because of
the extensive use of electronic devices. Additionally, the developed countries like the USA exports E-Waste to India which has
become the major challenge for waste management department. In India, the process of E-Waste management takes a very long
period of time because of the lack of formal procedures and latest technology.
Keywords: India E-Waste Handling Survey, Chennai E-Waste Handling Survey
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. INTRODUCTION

Electronic waste is the exceptional category of waste which requires the formal treatment in India. As a matter of fact, the
electronics manufacturing industries are expanding their product distribution all over the world. The main resources of E-Waste
generation are:
House Hold Appliances
ICT Equipments
Consumer Electronics
Comparatively, e-waste is contributing to global pollution problems to a large extent than the municipal waste. The way in
which electronic goods are used in India has advanced the complexity of E-Waste handling management. The method of
segregating the E-waste is not that appropriate in India. Hence it is difficult to make a quantitative analysis.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

In the survey results during the year 2016, the male individuals have contributed 63.5% in E-Waste production whereas females
contribute 36.5%. However, the survey was conducted in Chennai. The results clearly show that males are the dominant category
of the population producing E-Waste.
Majorly students add 80% of the electronic goods usage when compared to adults. However, engineers contribute 16.7% of
the total population in using electronic components. Ultimately, teenagers use electronic goods to a large extent when compared
to other categories of population.
The main reason for the increase in the E-Waste generation is the lack of knowledge regarding waste management. As per the
statistical results, 55.7% of the total sample considered does not have any idea about E-Waste management. However, the more
detailed analysis need to be conducted for accurate results.
The proportion test was conducted to find the accurate answer for a question Have you heard of e-waste? As per the test
results, a majority of the people havent heard about the term e-waste. Most evidently, a large number of people in Chennai
locality are not aware of e-waste considering the analysis report.

III. E- WASTE HANDLING MANAGEMENT BASED ON A GENDER

The survey question was Have you heard about e-waste? The main objective of this question was to find out how many
individuals are aware of the e-waste generation and management based on gender. As per the Pareto chart, males have more
knowledge about e-waste compared to females. The research analysis was further continued regarding whether there is any kind
of influence with respect to gender in creating awareness.
For the same question, the proportional analysis is made to accurately measure the unawareness about e-waste on a gender
basis. On observing the Pareto graph carefully, 193 female individuals out of 363 are ignorant about e-waste management. On
the other side, 362 male individuals out of 632 are ignorant about e-waste management. According to the proportion results, the
sample p-value tends to be greater than 0.05. This confirms that there is no such significant difference between males and
females regarding unawareness about the e-waste handling management.

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Fig. 1: E-Waste handling management based on a gender

IV. E- WASTE HANDLING MANAGEMENT BASED ON AN OCCUPATION

Fig. 2: E-Waste Handling Management Based On An Occupation

The statistical report was produced for the same question Have you heard about e-waste? But this time, it is based on
occupation. As per the results obtained, students constitute the major portion of about 80%. This is mainly because of an
extensive usage of electronic gadgets by the students. The four categories were considered during this survey are:
Students
Engineers
Customer service
Government service
Consequently, the Chi-square test was conducted for the same survey question. The main objective of the analysis was to
determine whether any of the occupations associated with e-waste management. It is very clear that the value of the sample P is
more the 0.05. This implies that any of the professions do not have a significant connection with the e-waste management
association.

V. ANALYSIS REPORT ON AMOUNT OF E-WASTE DISPOSAL

The quantity of e-waste received by an individual must be analyzed in the first place. This gives the idea about how to implement
the control and management measures. As per the results for the survey question Did you receive any e-waste? The majority of
the people of about 90% did not receive any kind of e-waste.
The question How much electronic and electrical wastes are received? is analyzed from Pareto chart. I can be depicted that
86% of the sample population receives less than 100 kg of electronics and electrical wastes in todays scenario.

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Fig. 3: Analysis Report on Amount of E-Waste Disposal

VI. ANALYSIS REPORT ON MAJOR E-WASTE PRODUCTION BASED ON OCCUPATION

Fig. 4: Analysis Report On Major E-Waste Production Based on Occupation

For the purpose of analysis, the major E-Waste materials considered are:
Battery
CFL
LED
Mobile
DVD
TV
Cart
Most evidently, the students and engineers produce more EWaste when compared to other occupations such as Customer
services, professor, and Government Services. From the above Pareto chart, the students dispose a large number of batteries
leading to increasing in waste production. On the other side, engineers produce more CFL lightings. The other occupations have
the very minor waste production which gets dominated by students and engineers category.

VII. DIFFERENT WAYS OF E-WASTE DISPOSAL METHODS

Generally, people dispose of e-waste in varieties of form. If the disposal methods adopted by the people are analyzed, then it
would be easy to manage the e-waste production and culmination. As per the analysis report, the majority of them dispose of the
electronic waste in the form of municipal garbage itself. It is considered as the ignorant and negligent behavior of common man.
In the accurate figures, 66% of the population dumps electronic waste inside the municipal waste yard itself. Consequently, the
electronic wastes are also disposed of through the local agency in minor proportion.

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Fig. 5: Different Ways of E-Waste Disposal Methods

VIII. DIFFERENT WAYS TO MANAGE E-WASTE BY EXCHANGING

Fig. 6: Different Ways to Manage E-Waste by Exchanging

When the people decide to exchange their old electronic goods, it is the best option one can make instead of dumping. As per the
statistical report, 37.9% of the sample population exchanges their old gadgets with the local agency. On the other side, 34.5% of
the sample population exchanges with the other product dealers. However, these are the healthy methods to follow while
exchanging the unused gadgets. However, there are certain categories of the people contributing about 27.6% of the sample
population who dump their unused gadgets in garbage.
Consequently, the Chi-Square test was conducted keeping in mind about the fact that there is any considerable difference in
exchange methods when the actual population is considered. The sample P value is estimated which tends to be lesser than 0.05.
Due to this, it can be inferred that dumping of E-Waste has the major contribution in the Chi-Square estimated value. Hence,
people prefer other techniques such as exchanging with local agencies and takeback instead of dumping which is a good sign of
improvement.

IX. AWARENESS ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC PRODUCT MANUFACTURING DETAILS

When people buy new electronic products from the stores, some of them do not concentrate on the manufacturing details. It is
recommended to view all the details about the products regarding the life span. As per the statistical report, 74% of the total
people considered are aware of the life span details about the electronic products they buy.
Also, the Chi-Square test was conducted in order to determine the number of people who are aware of product life span based
on gender. The sample P value is greater than 0.05. So, it can be inferred that gender is not the matter of consideration when
knowledge about product life span is tested.

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 India-Chennai E-Waste Handling Survey 2016
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Fig. 7: Awareness about the Electronic product manufacturing details

X. AWARENESS ABOUT ELECTRONIC WASTE HAZARDS

Fig. 8: Awareness about Electronic waste hazards

Fig. 9: Pareto chart of 17.If someone gives e-waste awa

If the awareness about the E-Waste is created among the people, the waste production can be reduced to a considerable extent. If
the people have knowledge about the electronic substances causing danger, then there are chances of learning the best methods to
dispose of the e-waste. However, from the above graph, it can be concluded that 73% of the sample population are greatly aware
of the hazardous electronic substances. The remaining 26% of the population are still unaware of the problems caused by the
harmful e-wastes. This result plays a very important role in avoiding upcoming e-wastes.
The Chi-Square analysis report implies that any of the profession does not have knowledge about hazardous substances in the
electronic wastes.

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 India-Chennai E-Waste Handling Survey 2016
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If people are not aware of hazardous waste, then naturally they ignore the e-waste awareness programs. The extensive survey
was conducted to know how many people are aware of such educative programs. As per the results obtained, 30% of the sample
population considered is not interested in attending such programs.

XI. SOURCE OF E-WASTE COLLECTION

Fig. 10: Source of E-Waste Collection

If people are aware of the source of e-waste collection, then it will be easy to control the increase in unauthorized dumping. As
per the statistical report, the majority of the population around 82% do not know where are the authorized e-waste collections are
located.

XII. CONCLUSION

Safe disposal methods must be adopted which fosters the progress of the country towards a healthy environment. As per the
survey results, it can be concluded that there are four main disposal methods available namely: recycling, dealer, collection, and
others. Among them, 50% of the sample population is disposing of the e-waste for recycling. The second highest method of
disposal is exchanging with the dealer. However, depending on the analysis reports learned about the disposing methods waste
handling management system can be optimized and maintained in a better way.

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