Product Recycling

E-waste is any electronic product or accessories which are not useable and it is at its end of life for example old defective products like refrigerator, TV, mobiles, chargers, ear-phone etc.

E-waste has been defined as “waste electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part or rejects from their manufacturing and repair process, which are intended to be discarded”. Whereas Electrical and electronic equipment has been defined as “equipment which is dependent on electrical currents or electro-magnetic fields to fully functional”.

E-waste generally consists of those substances contained in an electronic product which can bring adverse effects to the atmosphere and hence managing it in a proper way is important. Apart from affecting the environment it can also affect the health of the people.

Recycling of old electronic product is beneficial in following ways:

• 1. There is need to encourage recycling of all useful and valuable material from e-waste so as to conserve the ever depleting natural resources. Recycling end-of-life products is vital if we are to save resources and minimize waste.
  2. Also scientific disposal of e-waste reduces the environment pollution. The correct disposal of old product will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health.

Followings are negative consequences of disposal of product if not done in scientific way:

• a. Toxic material present in e-waste get mixed with earth, air, water etc and causes health issues.
  b. Oil & Gases which is present in some of e-waste like compressor and CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) causes environment pollution.
  c. Batteries contains highly hazardous element.
  d. Burning of rubber & Plastic in open area causes air pollution.

In India, E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 have been notified by the Central Government. LG stands committed to implement E-Waste Rules. LG has done tie-up with the PCB (Pollution Control Board) authorized e-Waste recycler for facilitating our customers to enable them to dispose off e-waste products after its end-of-life*. In this process, the customer would be interacting directly with the authorised agency meant for handling the e-waste products without involving any 3rd parties.To maximize resource efficiency through LG Consumer Durable products recycling, LG Electronics works closely with all consumer durable supply chains including authorized service providers, distributors, merchandiser’s customers, and the recycling industry. Customers are urged to strictly follow the guidelines as per e-Waste rules.

*End-of- life product means when a product is non-operational or non-repairable.

Guidance on the Disposal of End-of-Life Products

Consumers could contribute to resource conservation and prevent potential environmental problems by a simple action — the proper depositing of their old consumer durable products and its accessories. Electronic waste is to be disposed off separately from the general waste stream via designated collection facilities identified by LG Electronics. For that customer has to register a request on LG CIC (Call Center 1800 180 9999).

Recycling of Products:

Many customers might think that end-of-life products are worthless, but they still contain many reusable or recyclable materials. Let's see how all parts of old products could be recycled*.

• 1. Valuable metals are used as component materials for the circuit board, LCD module, and camera module. During the smelting process, valuable metals such as gold, silver, and copper can be retrieved from these electronic parts. The metals that are retrieved can be used for new electronic parts or can be sold separately on their own.
  
  2. Plastic materials are used for structural components such as the case and cover. The plastic materials that have been collected are recycled as energy resources after going through a heat recovery process. Alternatively, they can be used as a form of recycled plastic once they have been broken down and processed. Recycled plastic can be used to produce products such as traffic cones, plastic fencing, and car bumpers.
  
  3. It is important to collect batteries separately, given the variety of batteries that are used. Li-Ion batteries are frequently used in mobile phones. Cobalt can be collected once the batteries have been pretreated to avoid the risk of explosion during the recycling process. It is possible to sell the cobalt that is collected or use it as a raw material for products such as padlocks and speakers.
  
  4. Paper is the main component used in packaging. Paper can be recycled. It is then used as recycled paper or in products made of paper.
  
  

*The above usages are only suggestive and may not necessarily mean about the current usage.

This initiative is the step towards a cleaner and greener earth. This move is one of the ways to show that we are concerned and thus we request all our customers to join this movement to make it successful by way of contributing their end-of-life product.

How Customer Can Get Their Product Recycled:

• a. You may contact LG CIC (Call Center 1800 180 9999) for putting request for recycling of LG electronics products.
  b. LG will send its authorized recycler at your home/premise. Authorized recycler will inspect the product and calculate the residual value of electronics product.
  c. As per valuation by authorized recycler, you will be offered the price of electronic products. On your acceptance of offer, authorized recycler will lift the sets after giving the offer price to you.
  d. Your old LG Product will be recycled as per E-Waste disposal guidelines by the LG Authorized recycler.

Do’s & Don’t:

Do’s:

• 1. All electrical and electronic products are required to be handed over only to the Authorised recycler.
  2. Keep the product in isolated area, after it becomes non-functional/un-repairable so as to prevent its accidental breakage.
  

Don’ts:

• 1. The product should not be opened by the User himself/herself, but only by authorised service personnel.
  2. The product is not meant for re-sale any unauthorised agencies/scrap dealer/kabariwalahs.
  3. The product is not meant for mixing into household waste stream.
  4. Do not keep any replaced spare part(s) from the product in exposed area.

FAQ :

- How to identify that this is an e-waste product?
Any electrical or electronic part/product/accessories having wires / PCB and, it is not usable and cannot be repaired.

- Why re-cycling should be done? Benefits.
Recycling of old electronic product is beneficial in following ways:
a. There is need to encourage recycling of all useful and valuable material from e-waste so as to conserve the ever depleting natural resources. Recycling end-of-life products is vital if we are to save resources and minimize waste.
b. Also scientific disposal of e-waste reduces the environment pollution. The correct disposal of old product will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health.

- What are the negative consequences if proper recycling is not done?

• 1. Any disposal through unauthorised agencies/person will attract action under Environment (Protection) Act 1986, which provides for imprisonment up to 5 years or with fine up to Rs. 1 Lac or both.
  
  2. Followings are negative consequences of disposal of product if not done in scientific way :
  a. Toxic material present in e-waste get mixed with earth, air, water etc and causes health issues.
  b. Oil & Gases which is present is some of e-waste like compressor and CRT causes environment pollution.
  c. Batteries contains highly hazardous element.
  d. Burning of rubber & Plastic in open area causes air pollution.

- How the product is to be properly handled while disposing it off?
Product should not be damage, dismantle or thrown in municipal waste. It should be packed and handed over to authorized re-cycler.

- What are the effects if the product is dismantled by the user?
All the products are safe for human being to use. However in case of breakage/dismantling in unscientific way could cause damage to environment or human being (directly or indirectly). Chances are there that user might come in contact with chemicals which could cause irritation in skin & eyes, might cause dizziness etc. Also sharp edges of electronic items could cause damage to body.

- What precautions to be taken in case of any accidental breakage and the person is exposed to such hazardous substances?
In case of accidental breakage of consumer durable products like:

• AC / Refrigerator:
  a. Gas Leakage from compressor – open the window & doors to allow proper ventilation.
  b. Oil Leakage from compressor – properly lock the oil-spillage point and clean your hand.

• TV / LCD / LED:
  a. Breakage of Picture-tube / LCD – don’t touch the glass with bare-hand and collect the glass scrap in a bag/carton. Clean your eyes & hand properly.

• Battery of Any Product:
  In battery chemical by-products are hazardous.
  a. Don’t touch the broken battery with bare-hand.
  b. Put it in bag/carton box.
  c. Clean your eyes & hand properly.

- What will happen if the product is not properly handled and is given/sold to scrap dealer like any other ordinary scrap?
In case eWaste is sold to unauthorized dealers (Kabbadi), they don’t have scientific tools to recycle the products and therefore they are not authorized by the Pollution Control Board. In open area they burn the plastic parts, break the seal of parts which carries gases and try to extract metals. Such smoke and gases pollute the environment. Also hazardous residual are thrown in landfills which is dangerous for land, water, air and living beings.

- How such act of improper handling will damage the environment?
As given in the above point.

- How to contract recycler / LG?
To locate a nearest collection center or call for pick-up (limited area only) for disposal of this appliance, please contact Toll Free No. 1800-180-999 for details. All collection center and pick up facilities are done by third parties with LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. merely as a facilitator.