May 01, 2009-Karla Solo
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
E-Waste
Who gets the trash?
Why is e-waste bad?
Solution
What is that?
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
What is that?
• E-Waste for short - or Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) - is the term used to describe old, end-of-
life or discarded appliances using electricity.
• E-waste is a loose category of surplus, obsolete, broken, or
discarded electrical or electronic devices
• Because this equipment (computer, Handphone) rapidly goes
out of date, modern countries are generating millions of tons
of E-waste annually.
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
• Electronic waste dumped in residential area just outside of Alaba market in
Lagos. This e-waste is routinely burned here.
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05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
Why is e-waste bad for the environment?
• Electronic equipment contains hazardous materials such as lead,
mercury and brominated flame retardants.
• Circuit boards contain heavy metals that leach out into the
environment and affect our public health and natural resources, but
when recycled, can help manufacture new electronics.
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
Environment Aspect Health Aspect
Politic Aspect International Aspect
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
Environment Aspect
• Electronic goods contain toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury. When
disposed of improperly, the toxins could leach into the environment
• How: • (1.) Do not dispose of your old TV, or other electronics with your regular trash.
Bring it to your local electronics-recycling center.
• (2.) If you're buying a new computer, see if the store has a trade-in offer. Many
companies will recycle your old computer and give you a discount toward buying
a new one.
• (3.) Donate your old cell phone. Some charities provide people in need with free
refurbished phones to use during emergencies.
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05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
Health Aspect
• Some e-waste contains heavy metals that can be harmful to humans.
• Example:
1. Cell phone batteries contain a chemical called cadmium that can cause
damage to kidneys.
2. Some computer monitors contain lead, which can cause brain damage.
3. Flat TV screens are made with mercury, which may cause injury to the
nervous system. The nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord,
and nerves, controls body activities.
4. Those metals may also leak toxins into the ground or give off pollutants
when burned.
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05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
Politic Aspect
• Hard drive: Some of the most popular destinations for dumping computer
hardware include China, India, and Nigeria. It can be 10 times cheaper for a
"recycler" to ship waste to China than to dispose of it properly at home.
• Hazardous waste: Lead, mercury, and cadmium are a computer's most
common toxic substances. When melted down, the machines release even
more toxins into the air, ground, and water.
• A living wage: Although developing countries occasionally attempt to ban e-
waste, the shipments can be vital to local economies.
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05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
International Aspect
• Strengthening European Union policies on electronic and chemical waste will reverberate
around the world, according to two academic experts examining the issue. Stacy Van
Deveer and Henrik Selin said that three strict EU policies would influence markets, the
environment, and regulations worldwide.
• In the last five years, the European Union developed and adopted major e-waste directives,
which members are beginning to implement this year. They require electronics
manufacturers to offer free disposal of consumers' used equipment and prohibit the export
of hazardous waste to developing countries for disposal.
• A more recent rule requires registration, evaluation, and authorization of more than 30,000
chemical substances. The rules put the European Union in the global lead in terms of
protecting consumers and the environment.
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
E-waste is the fastest growing portion of the waste stream in the United States - It grew by almost 8% from 2004 to 2005, even though the overall municipal waste stream volume
is declining
Example:
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05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
Who gets the trash?
• Karashi
• Singapore
• Nanhai
• Ahmedabad
• Mumbai
• Madras
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05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
The Solutions• Reduce• Be a responsible shopper, and take care of your electronics so they will last
longer.
• Reuse
• Although the benefits of reusing electronics in this way are clear, the practice is causing serious problems because the old products are dumped after a short period of use in areas that are unlikely to have hazardous waste facilities.
• Recycle• To find a responsible recyclers, contact a local or state environmental group.
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo
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