Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded computers, electronics, and appliances. Rapidly changing technology and planned obsolescence have led to a fast growing surplus of e-waste globally. E-waste contains toxic and hazardous materials, and improper disposal pollutes the environment and poses health risks to humans. While technical solutions for recycling exist, many countries lack proper infrastructure and regulations to deal with the large volumes of e-waste being produced.

2.  “Electronic waste” may be defined as discarded
computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment
device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and
refrigerators. This definition includes used electronics which
are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal.
Others define the re-usable (working and repairable
electronics) and secondary scrap (copper, steel, plastic, etc.)
to be "commodities", and reserve the term "waste" for
residue or material which is dumped by the buyer rather
than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling
operations. Because loads of surplus electronics are
frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and non-
recyclable), several public policy advocates apply the term
"e-waste" broadly to all surplus electronics. Cathode ray
tubes (CRT) are considered one of the hardest types to
recycle.

4.  Rapid changes in technology,
changes in media (tapes, software,
MP3), falling prices, and planned
obsolescence have resulted in a
fast-growing surplus of electronic
waste around the globe. Dave
Kruch, CEO of Cash For Laptops,
regards electronic waste as a
"rapidly expanding" issue.[5]
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.

5.  In addition to its damaging effect on the
environment and its illegal smuggling into
developing countries, researchers have now
linked e-waste to adverse effects on human
health, such as inflammation and oxidative
stress – precursors to cardiovascular disease,
DNA damage and possibly cancer.

6. 17%
14%
20%
23%
26%
Material Composition of PC's
Others Aluminium Ferrous Metal Plastic Silica/Glass

7. 0
2000000
4000000
6000000
8000000
10000000
12000000
14000000
16000000
18000000
20000000
2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2012
tons/year
tons/year

8.  One theory is that increased regulation of electronic waste
and concern over the environmental harm in mature
economies creates an economic disincentive to remove
residues prior to export. Critics of trade in used electronics
maintain that it is still too easy for brokers calling
themselves recyclers to export unscreened electronic waste
to developing countries, such as China,[13] India and parts of
Africa, thus avoiding the expense of removing items like bad
cathode ray tubes (the processing of which is expensive and
difficult). The developing countries have become toxic dump
yards of e-waste. Proponents of international trade point to
the success of fair trade programs in other industries, where
cooperation has led to creation of sustainable jobs, and can
bring affordable technology in countries where repair and
reuse rates are higher

9.  The processes of dismantling and disposing of electronic waste in the
third world lead to a number of environmental impacts as illustrated in
the graphic. Liquid and atmospheric releases end up in bodies of
water, groundwater, soil and air and therefore in land and sea animals –
both domesticated and wild, in crops eaten by both animals and
human, and in drinking water.[35]

One study of environmental effects in Guiya, China found the following:
 Airborne dioxins – one type found at 100 times levels previously
measured
 Levels of carcinogens in duck ponds and rice paddies exceeded
international standards for agricultural areas and
cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead levels in rice paddies were above
international standards
 Heavy metals found in road dust – lead over 300 times that of a control
village’s road dust and copper over 100 times

11.  Today the electronic waste recycling business is in all areas of the
developed world a large and rapidly consolidating business. Part
of this evolution has involved greater diversion of electronic waste
from energy-intensive down cycling processes (e.g., conventional
recycling), where equipment is reverted to a raw material form.
This is recycling is done by sorting, dismantling, and recovery of
valuable materials [40] This diversion is achieved through reuse
and refurbishing. The environmental and social benefits of reuse
include diminished demand for new products and virgin raw
materials (with their own environmental issues); larger quantities
of pure water and electricity for associated manufacturing; less
packaging per unit; availability of technology to wider swaths of
society due to greater affordability of products; and diminished
use of landfills.

12.  There are several!
Conserves natural resources. Recycling recovers valuable materials from old
electronics that can be used to make new products. As a result, we save
energy, reduce pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save resources by
extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
 Protects your surroundings. Safe recycling of outdated electronics promotes
sound management of toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury.
 Helps others. Donating your used electronics benefits your community by passing
on ready-to-use or refurbished equipment to those who need it.
 Create Jobs. eCycling creates jobs for professional recyclers and refurbishers and
creates new markets for the valuable components that are dismantled.
 Saves landfill space. E-waste is a growing waste stream. By recycling these
items, landfill space is conserved.

13.  Take good care of your electronic items so they
last as long as possible. Before purchasing a new
computer system, for example, check into
upgrading individual components. You may find
that all you need is one or two components
replaced
 Consider the purchase of refurbished products
when possible. Refurbished products usually
carry the same manufacturer's warranty as new
items. Working consumer electronics may be
donated to a charity or thrift store so that they
can be reused by others.

15.  Buy from companies that offer take-back
programs
 Choose products with less toxicity, greater
recycled content, and higher efficiency
 Use Rechargeable Batteries