Project Abstract

Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) management has become a critical issue in the era of rapid technological advancement and increasing digitalization. The improper disposal of electronic devices poses significant environmental and health hazards due to the presence of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. As a response to this challenge, the concept of green computing has gained traction as a sustainable approach to mitigate the environmental impact of electronic waste. This research project aims to investigate the impact of managing electronic waste on promoting green computing practices. The study will explore the current methods of e-waste management, including recycling, refurbishment, and proper disposal, to minimize the environmental footprint of electronic devices. By analyzing the life cycle of electronic products, from manufacturing to end-of-life disposal, the research will identify key areas where improvements can be made to enhance sustainability. Furthermore, the study will examine the benefits of adopting green computing practices not only from an environmental perspective but also in terms of cost savings and resource efficiency. Green computing initiatives such as energy-efficient hardware design, virtualization, and cloud computing can contribute to reducing electronic waste generation and lowering energy consumption in the IT sector. The research will also evaluate the challenges and barriers faced in implementing effective e-waste management strategies and green computing initiatives. Factors such as lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory gaps may hinder the adoption of sustainable practices in the IT industry. By identifying these obstacles, the study aims to provide recommendations for policymakers, businesses, and consumers to overcome these challenges and promote a circular economy approach to electronic waste management. Overall, this research project seeks to highlight the significance of managing electronic waste in ensuring green computing practices. By integrating sustainable principles into the design, use, and disposal of electronic devices, businesses and individuals can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through a comprehensive analysis of e-waste management strategies and green computing initiatives, this study aims to provide valuable insights for promoting a circular economy and driving positive change in the IT industry towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

In this era of information and communication technology, the use of electronics and computational resources has grown exponentially. Excessive use of electronics equipments has given rise to a number of adversaries such as high energy 418 Ranjita Panda consumption, global warming, accumulation of e-wastes, environmental pollution etc. Faced with the sever realities of global warming and rising energy costs, government agencies and private firms worldwide have started examining ways to protect the environment. To address these issues, there is a growing global movement to implement more environmental friendly computing.

Green Computing

Green computing can be defined as the efficient use of computing resources. It is the name attached to the movement which represents an environmentally responsible way of computing through reduced power consumption. It is also associated with the proper use of computing resources and plays a prime role in minimizing their hazardous impact on environment. Two major issues associated with green computing are: reduction in energy consumption and pollution control. While the former can be achieved by proper use of electronic good and through development of energy efficient and less power consuming hardware, the later can be achieved through their reduced use, proper recycling policies and use of less toxic substances in manufacturing the equipments. Maximizing economic viability and ensuring sustainability are among the other aspects of green computing. Out of these above stated aspects of green computing, in this paper, we are focusing on issues related to waste management and recycling.

Waste Management Any substance that is discarded is known as waste. It is a valuable raw material located at a wrong place. Many of the wastes, at present used in uneconomic manner or left completely unutilised, are causing great hazards to human environment. It can be converted into useful product by making use of appropriate processing technology. These wastes are of various types and can be categorized as hazardous and nonhazardous. These can be further subdivided into municipal wastes, electronic wastes, bio-medical wastes and Industrial wastes. Many studies have been carried out in various parts of the world to establish a connection between health and hazardous wastes. Certain chemicals if released untreated, e.g. cyanides, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls are highly toxic and exposure to these can lead to disease or death. Some studies have detected excess prevalence of cancer in residents exposed to hazardous waste.