E-Waste - How to face this issue with the Technology itself

University, Society and Interdisciplinarity E-waste How to face this issue using the technology itself Students: Bruno Croci de Oliveira, Fernando Renato Matsunaga Marchiotto, Guilherme Augusto Machado, João Paulo Domingues dos Santos

Sustainability “Meet the need of the present generation without affecting the ability of future generations to meet theirs.”, according to the Brundtland Report (1987)

E-Waste E-waste is defined by the European Community (2003) as an "electrical or electronic equipment that has been discarded".

Obsolescences Given as the main causes of the e-waste, the obsolescences are divided in two: ● Planned Obsolescence; ● Perceived Obsolescence.

Motivation Though subjects related to environmental degradation are highly discussed nowadays, e- waste isn't discussed yet as it should be, if compared to its power to cause damages.

Discards Millions of Computers Milhões de PCs Source: worldbank.org The growth of the computers' discard between 1991 and 2003.

Toxic Substances Some substances found in electrical and electronic equipment Mercury Computers and Video Damage to the brain and liver devices Cadmium Computers, Video devices Poisoning, problems in bones, kidneys and laptop batteries and lungs Arsenic Mobile devices May causes lung cancer and damages the nervous system PVC (Polyvinyl Case of computers and Cancer and immune deficiency. chloride) mobile devices Source: http://tecnologia.uol.com.br/ultnot/2008/02/26/ult4213u358.jhtm

Objectives Investigate how the technology is facing environmental problems generated by technological development. •Find what factors that generate e-waste. •Analyze the environmental problems caused by e-waste. •Search technologies that deal with environmental problems generated by the e- waste.

Methodology Search for data and information in: ● Scientific articles; ● Technologic Companies; ● Non-governmental organizations; ● Statistical surveys on the subject. Data processing: ● Quantitative analysis; ● Qualitative analysis.

Results Some initiatives that are linked to the technological environment and allow us to infer that the technology is able to mitigate the impacts caused by the e-waste: • Upgrade; • Software Adaptation; • StEP Initiative; • Electronic equipments recycling.

Upgrade Instead of buying a new computer, you change some parts of it for a new one. It is, therefore, a pailliative measure.

Software Adaptation Most software advance as obsolescence, that is, each version requires more powerful computers. On the other hand, free software have a greater concern with less advanced hardware. What makes it functional in more modest computers.

StEP Initiative "Solving the E-Waste Problem" - Joint effort between manufacturers of computer equipment and telecommunications companies. Aims to create global standards for the recycling of electronic scrap, increase the life of electronic products and develop markets for their reuse.

Eletronical equipments recycling Encouraging recycling mechanical, chemical and energy resources, since about 94% of materials used in eletronical equipments are recoverable. As an example of implementation of this measure, we have a project in the Universidade de São Paulo called: "Projeto de Cadeia de Transformação de Lixo Eletrônico".

CEDR Operation Scheme Source: CARVALHO (2009)

Final Considerations We conclude that there are alternatives that attempt to minimize the situation today, but we did not find a definitive solution. As the prospects for the future can be exciting, the commitment to this issue tends to grow.

E-Waste Project Advisor Teacher • Ana Maria Klein Students • Bruno Croci de Oliveira • Fernando Renato Matsunaga Marchiotto • Guilherme Augusto Machado de Almeida • João Paulo Domingues dos Santos Contact •brunocroci@usp.br

E-Waste - How to face this issue with the Technology itself

by Bruno Croci on Feb 11, 2010

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E-Waste - How to face this issue with the Technology itself — Presentation Transcript