The main goal should be to reduce the generation of e-waste in the first place. But, once generated, it is of vital importance to improve its management. E-waste is recognised as a resource because of the potential for recovery of valuable materials. However, recovering these materials in Western countries involves high labour costs, so more than 80% of e-waste is shipped to developing countries where it is more cost-effective. This waste contains chemicals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, copper, manganese, nickel, arsenic, zinc, iron and aluminium, many of which are hazardous. It also contains very harmful persistent organic compounds used in plastics, such as flame retardants, or found in product fluids, lubricants and coolants. Workers at waste management facilities in third countries, as well as the populations of the places where the treatment plants are located, come into contact with these hazardous compounds through direct exposure at work and indirect exposure to the environment (air, water, soil) which receives a large input of contamination. This contamination will remain for many years and will be inherited by future generations. 

Even if waste is recycled in Western countries, we need to be able to control what happens to the toxic compounds present in the waste during the different recycling processes, as well as in the final product. We must ensure that recycled materials are no more contaminated than new materials. We must also prevent legislated toxic compounds from being reintroduced back into the market through recycled products. The control of hazardous substances during the whole process of transformation from waste to resource, as well as the final quality of the resource obtained, are important aspects to consider. This is the only way to achieve a production model that is sustainable for the environment and human health.

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