Professional Documents
Culture Documents
org/articles
E-WASTE
By Julia Guerra
A
According to Green-
peace International,
that was probably with-
in the last two years.
The speedy lifespan
of electronic devices is a result of
rapid technological innovations
and high consumer demand for
the latest trends. Technology giants
have only encouraged this demand
by designing inefficient products.
For example, the lithium-ion battery
in your cell phone loses more than
half of its functionality after about
a year of heavy use. Getting a
replacement battery can be costly
and take several weeks to order,
plus youll lose all your data. So
its often easier for consumers to
frequently throw away their elec-
tronic devices, generating the
worlds largest type of municipal
waste, known as e-waste.
What is
e-waste?
E-waste, short for electronic
waste, can be defined as any
outdated or obsolete appliance cell phones as the biggest culprits ous chemicals, such as brominated
or electronic device found in your as consumers replace these items flame retardants. If not properly
home or office. Common types the most frequently. E-waste con- disposed of, toxins from e-waste can
of e-waste include television and tains thousands of different mate- enter the soil, air, and water sup-
computer monitors, cell phones, rials some of such are heavy toxic plies.
and printers, with computers and chemicals, such lead, and hazard-
T
he term e-waste is a very broad
definition that covers a wide
range of electronic devices that
are composed of thousands of
different components, some of
which are hazardous materials. What
constitutes specifically as e-waste can
vary between different countries and
even cities. For example, in 1995, the
EPA enacted the universal waste rule to
exempt certain widely generated waste
products, such as thermostats and fluo-
rescent lamps, even though they contain
hazardous components. Below is a par-
tial list with some widely accepted types
of e-waste:
Desk computer monitors with LCD
screens
Sources:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/detox/electronics/the-e-waste-problem/where-does-e-waste-end-up/
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/the-global-cost-of-electronic-waste/502019/
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/65583.html
Other sources:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Wastes - Resource Conservation - Common Wastes & Materials - eCycling." Web Accessed April 11, 2015.
Slade, Giles. "iWaste." Mother Jones, 2007. Web Accessed April 11, 2015.
GBRIonline.org/articles 5
LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM CAN
CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE KIDNEYS
AND BONE STRUCTURE
I
n rechargeable batteries, printer inks, and photocopying machines, you will find cadmium, which can be
absorbed through the inhalation of contaminated dust and fumes, as well as through food. Acute expo-
sure will cause flu-like symptoms such as weakness, chills, fever, headaches, sweating, and muscular
pain. Long-term exposure to cadmium can cause serious damage to the kidneys and bone structure.
In some batteries and lightning components of LCDS theres mercury, one of the most toxic but widely used
metals in electronics. Mercury is a high volatile substance and once released into the atmosphere, it can
transmit a global impact far beyond the location of its re-
lease. While mercury can be both inhaled and ingested,
Mercury is particularly dangerous the most common way for it to reach humans is through
for the developing brain and central bioaccumulation. In this case, mercury pollutes water
bodies where it transforms into a highly toxic material
nervous systems in fetuses and that travels up to high levels in the food chain, mostly
young children commonly in fish. Mercury is particularly dangerous for
the developing brain and central nervous systems in fe-
tuses and young children. There have been recent studies
that have indicated that mercury exposure also contributes to cardiovascular and heart disease.
GBRIonline.org/articles 6
Another common
and hazardous
material in electron-
ic components is
lead, which can be
found in cathode
ray tubes (CRT), a
device used to dis-
play images. Even
just short-term ex-
posure can cause
diarrhea, vomiting,
convulsions, coma,
and death. It is es-
pecially dangerous
for young children
because it can contribute to brain and blood disorders.
In adults, it can damage the nervous, blood, and
reproductive systems.
I
n the 1980s, as the rise in consumer electronics rapidly began to grow, many countries found that they did
not have the capacity or ability to properly dispose of vast amounts of hazardous waste. The solution for
developed countries to export the e-waste to developing countries where the recycling costs were cheaper
and the laws less strict towards protecting the environment and their people.
When it was revealed that toxic landfills in Africa were full of trash imported from rich, developed countries
there was a huge public outcry. This led to the adoption of the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-
boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, which made the dumping of e-waste to poorer
countries illegal. Amongst its most important contributions has been to create a large body of technical guide-
lines on the management of specific waste streams designed for the use of governments at all levels. By the
1990s, the first e-waste recycling systems were being implemented in the US, EU, and Japan.
The Basel Convention has also assisted developing countries with implementing the provisions of the convention
through capacity building and training projects. However, the Basel Convention is non-bind, so while many
countries have signed it, not all have ratified it, such as the United States.
GBRIonline.org/articles 8
How is e-waste
disposed of now?
E-waste continue to be ex-
L
ported legally and illegally
ess than 15% of e-waste is currently
from Europe and the Ameri- being recycled globally, raising con-
cas to developing countries cerns around the world about increasing
amounts of pollution. E-waste continue
to be exported legally and illegally from
Europe and the Americas to developing coun-
tries.
Reuse
GBRIonline.org/articles 10
What can we do
about this?
C
urrently, there are 20 to 50 mil-
lion metric tons of e-waste being
dumped worldwide. This practice
continues despite stricter regulations
and the fact that many of the com-
ponents of e-waste can be readily re-used or
recycled. For every 1 million cell phones that
are recycled, 33 lbs of palladium, 35,274
lbs of copper, 772 lbs of silver, and 75 lbs
of gold can be recovered. Yet only 12.5%
of e-waste is currently being recycled. Toxic
chemical from e-waste is still leaching into the
land and being released into the atmosphere,
impacting communities worldwide.
11 GBRIonline.org/articles
an extensive process, even when products are not full of hazardous materials. So if the technology giants
designed more sustainable products, it would be easier and safer to recycle parts from old products into new
ones.
Designing electronic devices to be more durable and easy to repair would be a final step towards a sustain-
able future. The rate at which our society replaces electronic devices places a huge impact on resources,
health, and the environment. As leaders in innovation, technology giants should give greater consideration to
durability and ease of repair.
N
one of these solutions are simple, but it is possible to change our society to become more inno-
vative, efficient, and sustainable. Technology giants could be on the forefront of this change by
designing products that are more durable, fully recyclable, and eliminate the usage of hazardous
materials. In addition, technology giants need to consider creating programs that for consumers
to conveniently recycle their old devices. As consumers, our society needs to curb its demand
for the latest trends by extending the lifespans of electronic devices. With consumer electronics projected to
reach 2.5 billion units, toxic landfills and vast amounts of pollution are not the only issues that accompany
this problem. There also needs to be considerations for responsibly sourced resources and the minimization of
packaging materials.
1. Find an e-waste recycler certified through the Basel Action Network (BAN.org). BAN is a non-profit
organization devoted to certifying e-Stewards, recyclers who are committed to safely and
responsibly recycling electronics.
2. Check with your local government, schools, and universities for additional responsible
recycling options
3. Check with your gadget manufacturer if they accept your old equipment
4. Check with your local electronic retail stores if they accept electronic waste
5. Donate your electronic equipment if its still working
More ideas? Do you have any additional tips, suggestions or ideas for properly recycling e-waste?
Visit gbrionline.org/articles and post your ideas, suggestions and tips
13 GBRIonline.org/articles
References and resources:
http://www.ban.org/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222081911.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/electronic-waste-developing-world
http://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/loribennear/2012/11/15/electronic-waste-disposal/
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem/
where-does-e-waste-end-up/
https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/cleaning-electronic-waste-e-waste
https://www.epa.gov/smm-electronics/moving-sustainable-electronics-forward-update-national-strate-
gy-electronics
More articles available at www.gbrionline.org/articles