When the e-waste is collected, it is stored temporarily or it is transported to treatment facilities. The next step in
the e-waste management system is to test the ICT product in order to separate functional from non-functional
equipment. In order to achieve that, utility and mechanical characteristics tests are performed. Depending on the
tests and the sorting process, there are three optional routes that e-waste can follow. If the product is functional or
can be repaired is send for reuse and resale. If the product can not be reused and contains valuable or harmful
components or materials, there is need for further treatment; in that case it is disassembled. The third option, if the
former two options are not suitable or applicable for the product, is landfill/ incineration for energy recovery.
During the disassembly process, obsolete IT product is dismantled in its components which are further tested.
The functional parts can be sent either to second hand markets for resale or to manufacture in order to be reused in
new products. In this point, there is need to know and take into account the valuable (e.g. gold, silver) or harmful
(e.g. toxic, plastic) materials that the part may contain. When a component of an obsolete product contains rare,
valuable resources or harmful materials that can cause environmental burden, it is necessary to extract them before
the disposal. Consequently, that component is sent to recycling. The rest are disposed in landfill or are incinerated.