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Recyclable electronic waste is sometimes further categorized as a "commodity", while E-waste, which cannot be reused, is distinguished as "waste". Some activists define "Electronic Waste" to include all secondary computers, entertainment devices,
electronics, mobile phones, and other items, whether they have been sold, donated, or discarded by their original owner. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal. Others define the reusable (working and repairable electronics) and secondary scrap (copper, steel, plastic, etc.) to be "commodities", and reserve the use of the term "waste" for residue or material which were represented as working or repairable but which were discarded by the buyer. Debate continues over the distinction between "commodity" and "waste" electronics definitions. Some exporters deliberately leave obsolete or non-working equipment mixed in loads of working equipment (through ignorance, or to avoid more costly treatment processes for 'bad' equipment).

On the other hand, some importing countries specifically seek to exclude working or repairable equipment in order to protect domestic manufacturing markets. "White Box" computers ('off-brand' or 'no name' computers) are often assembled by smaller scale manufacturers utilizing refurbished components. These 'white box' sales accounted for approximately 45 per cent of all computer sales worldwide, and are considered a threat to some large manufacturers, who, therefore, seek to classify used computers as 'waste'. Due to the difficulty and cost of recycling of used electronics as well as lack-lustre enforcement of legislation regarding E-waste exports, large amounts of used electronics have been sent to countries such as China, India, and Kenya, where lower environmental standards and working conditions make processing E-waste more profitable. E-waste is imported as second-hand goods. In June 2008, a container of illegal electronic waste, destined from Port of Oakland in the US to Sanshui district in mainland China, was intercepted in Hong Kong by Greenpeace.

While a protectionist may broaden the definition of "waste" electronics, the high value of working and reusable laptops, computers, and components (e.g., RAM), can help pay the cost of transportation for a large number of worthless "commodities". Broken monitors, obsolete circuit boards, short circuited transistors, and other junk are difficult to spot in a container-load of used electronics. As the price of gold, silver and copper continue to rise, E-waste has become more desirable. E-waste round-ups are used as fund spinner in some communities. Until such time as equipment no longer contains such hazardous substances, the disposal and recycling operations must be undertaken with great care to avoid damaging pollution and workplace hazards, and exports need to be monitored to avoid "toxics along for the ride".

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Dr. Gursharan Singh Kainth started his career as Lecturer at Post Graduate Dept. of Economics, Government College, Gurdaspur, and later at Khalsa College; Amritsar, specializes in Quantitative & Development Economics. Has the distinction of serving Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana, for more than 2 decades and remained Director-Principal of Saint Soldier Management & Technical Institute, Jalandhar. Currently, heading GAD Institute of Development Studies, Amritsar, a self-financed research institute. Has been honoured with various awards, including Guru Draunacharya Samman, Vijay Rattan Award, etc.
Article posted on February 22, 2009.