THE LEGAL CONCEPT OF ELECTRONIC WASTE LEGAL CONCEPT OF ELECTRONIC WASTE

Abstract

The article examines issues related to the legal concept of electronic waste, as well as the legal aspects of its handling in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Furthermore, the foundations of electronic waste composition, their classification, and the identification of this category as an independent fragmented group within the structure of general household waste are analyzed. It is noted that electronic waste, or e-waste, represents used electronic devices and components subject to disposal – batteries, chargers, computers, mobile phones, televisions, household appliances, game consoles, and other electronics. Electronic waste has already become a serious problem worldwide, especially in developing countries, where it is often used to extract valuable materials, despite the lack of necessary equipment and technical safety tools for entrepreneurs. Due to the effects of hazardous substances released during such activities, individuals engaged in processing in informal settings face serious health risks. Thus, e-waste forms a growing mass of technogenic raw materials, requiring legal regulation and the creation of effective management mechanisms. At the same time, electronic waste should be considered not only from the perspective of waste subject to removal or neutralization, but also as a potentially important secondary source for obtaining metals related to non-renewable natural resources.