Ejäte

Ejäte, or electronic waste (e-waste), refers to discarded electrical and electronic equipment that has reached end-of-life or is no longer usable. It covers a broad range of devices, including household appliances, computers, mobile devices, lighting, and various electronic instruments, such as medical or laboratory equipment. As technology turnover accelerates, e-jäte is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in many regions.

Most ejäte contains a mix of materials: plastics, glass, metals (iron, aluminum, copper, and precious metals), and hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, ozone-depleting refrigerants, and brominated flame retardants. Improper disposal can lead to soil and water contamination and pose health risks to workers and communities.

Management of ejäte typically involves collection schemes, sorting and recycling, and sometimes refurbishing for reuse. Policies commonly used include extended producer responsibility (EPR) and take-back programs, supported by regulatory frameworks such as the European Union's WEEE Directive. In Nordic countries, well-established systems collect and recycle high shares of ejäte, aiming to maximize material recovery and minimize environmental impact.

Recycling processes separate materials for reuse: mechanical shredding and sorting, metal smelting to recover copper and precious metals, and treatment of hazardous fractions in controlled facilities. The global trade of e-waste raises concerns about illegal dumping and environmental justice; international agreements, like the Basel Convention, seek to improve handling and prevent dumping in low-income regions.

Efforts to reduce ejäte include durable product design, modular components, longer lifespans, and consumer awareness about proper disposal and recycling.