Electronic waste
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Introduction
Basically the term "e-waste" is applied to consumer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life. While there is no generally accepted definition of electronic waste (or e-waste), it is generally accepted in most cases e-waste consists of electronic products that were used for data processing, telecommunications or entertainment, whether it be in households or in business, that are considered to be obsolete or broken. Despite its classification of 'waste', disposed electronics are suitable for secondary resource due to their significant suitability for direct reuse. This is obviously causing a number of problems relating to the environment which is a growing concern. Due to these concerns a number of initiatives and ideas have arisen in relation to this problem all around the world. The promotion of e-cycling has been a method used, simply appealing to business and consumers to recycle reusable components or metals contained in used or disguarded electronic equipment. The exact nature of the problems that have arise as a result of the growth in e-waste differs from place to place or country to country and similarly responses to tackle these problems vary across different locations. Many countries have established forms of legislation that have been put in place to address the issues of e-waste. These include alternative approaches for the collection, transport and treatment of e-waste and imposing responsiblity for the management of waste electronics on a specified group.
Problems of E waste
E-waste is both valuable as source for secondary raw material, and toxic if treated and discarded improperly. Rapid technology change, low initial cost and even planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast growing problem around the globe. Technical solutions are available but in most cases a legal framework, a collection system, logistics and other services need to be implemented before a technical solution can be applied.
E waste is a major concern due to its toxicity of some of the substances when processed improperly. Mercury, Lead, Cadmium and other substances are largely to blame in the toxicity. A normal PC monitor which you may use at home or in an office may contain 6% lead in weight. More than 36 chemical elements are incorporated into e-waste items.
Materials Used
Lead is a poisonous potent neurotoxin which accumulates in soft tissues and bone in the human body.
Even though zinc is an essential requirement for a healthy body, too much zinc can be harmful. Excessive absorption of zinc can also suppress copper and iron absorption.
Chromium metal and chromium (III) compounds are not usually considered health hazards, but hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) compounds can be toxic if orally ingested or inhaled.
This element and solutions of its compounds are toxic even in low concentrations, and will bioaccumulate in organisms and ecosystems. Pathways of human contact include soil contamination from industrial releases or landfill and associated leachate processes.
Mercury can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin. The primary sources of mercury to the environment are fossil fuel burning (primarily coal) and solid waste incineration. Mercury is toxic in very low doses, and causes brain and kidney damage. It can be passed on through breast milk. Just 1:70th of a teaspoon of mercury can contaminate 20 acres of a lake, making the fish unfit to eat.
Where is it going?
According to the US EPA, more than 4.6 million tonnes of e-waste ended up in US landfills in 2000. In many European countries, regulations have been introduced to prevent electronic waste being dumped in landfills due to its hazardous content. However, the practice still continues in many countries. In Hong Kong for example, it is estimated that 10-20 percent of discarded computers go to landfill. E-waste is routinely exported by developed countries to developing ones, often in violation of the international law. In the UK alone, at least 23,000 metric tonnes of undeclared or 'grey' market electronic waste was illegally shipped in 2003 to the Far East, India, Africa and China. In the US, it is estimated that 50-80 percent of the waste collected for recycling is being exported in this way. Mainland China tried to prevent this trade by banning the import of e-waste in 2000. However, we have discovered that the laws are not working; e-waste is still arriving in Guiya of Guangdong Province, the main centre of e-waste scrapping in China. We have also found a growing e-waste trade problem in India. 25,000 workers are employed at scrap yards in Delhi alone, where 10-20000 tonnes of e-waste is handled each year, 25 percent of this being computers. Other e-waste scrap yards have been found in Meerut, Ferozabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai.
The above was taken from [1]
Solutions
Early in the 1990’s some European country’s including the United Kingdom banned the disposal of e-waste in landfills across their countries. Subsequently an e-waste processing plant was made in Europe. In 2003 the WEEE directive was created which aims to minimise the effect of electrical and electronic goods on our environment, by increasing the re-use and recycling and trying to reduce the amount of WEEE going to landfill. What is WEEE? The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) aims to provide the financing of collection, treatment, and recovery of waste electrical equipment. The WEEE also seeks to allow customers to return their waste equipment to the distributors free of charge.
The WEEE directive was agreed on 13th of February 2003.It took almost two years for this to be enforced in England. Businesses and producers had until July 1st 2007 to ensure that they could comply with the WEEE.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive was agreed on 13 February 2003.
In 2003 the Electronic Waste Recycling Act was established in the state of California, USA. It includes the Electronic Waste Recycling Fee which imposes charges on new purchases of products with viewable screens and therefore contributes to recycling of old electronic equipment.
Another afford to avoid electronic waste is the non-profit organization Free Geek. Free Geek was founded in order to recycle or re-use used computer equipment.
In the UK, there are a couple of companies who collect, refurbish and re-sell or recycle used computer equipment such as IT Green and Reiterate UK.
And still there are a few things that can be done by each of us. You should try to avoid getting pressurized by advertisment that you need a certain equipment and just buy what you really need. Once you have bought an electronic device, use it as long as possible. Finally, used equipment should rather be sold or donated than dumped.
Organisations
Free Geek
Free Geek is a non profit organisation which was setup to help reuse and recycle old computers and to help those who are not financially well off to get technology into there homes. Free Geek refurbish old computers and give them to other non profit organisations and are also sold through their own shops.
Basel Action Network (BAN)
BAN is the world's only organization focused on confronting the global environmental injustice and economic inefficiency of toxic trade (toxic wastes, products and technologies) and its devastating impacts. Working at the nexus of human rights and environment, we confront the issues of environmental justice at a macro level, preventing disproportionate and unsustainable dumping of the world's toxic waste and pollution on our global village's poorest residents. At the same time we actively promote the sustainable and just solutions to our consumption and waste crises -- banning waste trade, while promoting green, toxic free and democratic design of consumer products.
The above was taken from [2]
BAN work worldwide mainly in USA, Europe and Asia (Asia is a big victim in toxic waste)
See Also
External Links
The Lads
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