E-WASTE (ELECTRONIC WASTE) RECYCLING PROCESS
Most of the E-Waste contains various materials such as plastic, glass and metal. The recycling of e-waste requires several steps to get this resource in the most efficient manner. In general, the E-Waste recycling process includes the use of manual and automatic labor. Automated equipment during the recycling process helps to efficiently recover reusable materials, eliminate hazardous waste and protect workers and the environment.
STEP 1: MANUAL SEPARATION AND SEPARATION
At this stage, the E-Waste is sorted manually. The components that should not be destroyed are separated such as batteries, battery system, UPS, Cartridges and fluorescent lamps.
STEP 2: SHREDDING (DESTROY / QUOTE)
Garbage is chopped into 100mm pieces which can be even smaller. Any dust generated in this chopping process will be disposed of using an environmentally friendly method.
STEP 3: REMOVAL MAGNETIC
At this stage, materials that have magnetic properties will be separated from the magnet. (Automatic process)
STEP 4: METALLIC AND NONMETALLIC SEPARATION (SEPARATION OF METAL AND NON METAL)
Other metals such as aluminum, copper and brass are separated from non-metal materials such as glass and plastic. This separation is done by using Eddy Currents, Optical Identification, and magnetic methods.
STEP 5: SEPARATION BY WATER
At this stage, the plastic and glass are separated using water. The lead-containing glass will be sent to the tin smelter to be used as new products such as batteries, new CRTs and X-Ray Shields.
Plastics are separated by color and sold to plastic recyclers. After the raw materials are separated, they can be sold as a commodity for recycled raw materials to be made into new electronic devices or other goods.
The circuit boards are ground and smelted, the resulting gas is collected, while the metal can be sold as a raw commodity. Electronic items that have wood can be peeled and used as fuel.
RECYCLING PROCESS OF CATHODE RAY TUBES (CRTs)
Existing CRTs monitored computers and older televisions contain large amounts of toxins such as lead which are very harmful to human health and the environment, recycling these devices requires a separate process from most other electronics. Here are the steps:
STEP 1: MONITOR BODY AND CATHODE RAY SEPARATION
The front of the monitor or the body of the television is removed to access the CRT inside, and the outer shell of the monitor / television can be recycled with other electronic waste.
STEP 2: SIZE REDUCTION
The CRT tube and layer are chopped into small pieces, and the dust from the glass is removed using an environmentally friendly method.
STEP 3: METAL REMOVAL
Using magnets, iron and steel are removed from the shredded piece and then aluminum and copper are removed by passing the material through the Eddy Currents.
STEP 4: WASHING
Any remaining glass shards are then cleaned to remove oxides, phosphorus and dust extract, so the glass will be clean.
STEP 5: SORTING GLASS
Lead glass is separated from unleaded glass. Both types of glass can be used to manufacture new screens. Lead-containing glass can also be sent to a lead smelter.
A good E-WASTE recycling system is at the raw material collection stage, the community sends it to a special container to be transported by the authorized institution and does not mix E-Waste with other domestic waste such as plastic, food and other waste as is being done again Indonesian society. This can increase protection of human health and the environment.
E-WASTE RECYCLING BENEFITS
- Protecting the Environment from toxins produced by E-Waste
- The use of Recycled E-Waste materials can reduce Greenhouse Gases compared to having to produce raw materials from scratch.
- Reducing the Cost of Making New Products
- Can reduce the generation of E-Waste that reaches the Landfill, so that the life of the Landfill will be longer.