When was the last time you upgraded your phone or gadget? According to Greenpeace International, that was probably within the last two years. With a speedy lifespan of electronic devices, comes enormous electronic waste, a.k.a. e-waste. The amount of e-waste has skyrocketed in the last 30 years, representing 20% of America’s trash in landfills and 70% of toxic waste materials. What can we do about this? More articles? - https://www.gbrionline.org/articles More sustainability courses - https://www.gbrionline.org/learning-hub LEED Green Associate Exam Prep, LEED AP Exam Prep, WELL AP Exam Prpe - https://www.gbrionline.org/leed and https://www.gbrionline.org/well
"The effects of e-waste result in damage to our environment and our health. The best way to minimize this is to produce less of it.
This is from an article that appeared on All Green Website: http://www.allgreenrecycling.com/blog/effects-of-e-waste/"
E-waste is a major concern in today's world.It is AN ENVIRONMENT KILLER..!!.Its management is also of great importance.By Ashin Adai Shinu,Kerala,India.
"The effects of e-waste result in damage to our environment and our health. The best way to minimize this is to produce less of it.
This is from an article that appeared on All Green Website: http://www.allgreenrecycling.com/blog/effects-of-e-waste/"
E-waste is a major concern in today's world.It is AN ENVIRONMENT KILLER..!!.Its management is also of great importance.By Ashin Adai Shinu,Kerala,India.
This is a literature review in a presentation format which revolves around electronic waste. It discusses the importance of recycling the waste and economic, political, medical, and ecological implications of ignoring the accumulation of said waste. Additionally, it talks about what is being done to counter e-waste and brings up a possible method to extract precious metals from Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
Excessive Increment in E-Waste System and its Prohibition through Green Compu...Editor IJCATR
In the current scenario, the information and communication technology have made drastic changes in our daily routine like
industries, institution and almost in each field. In today’s world there is a large amount of usage of electronic equipments which are
giving rise to many problems. The energy consumption from such devices also leading to various global warming issues. At the
same time they are leading to many problems like problems of massive amount 0of hazardous waste and other wastes which are
generated from electronic equipment
Therefore here we will discuss about various consequences of e-waste , their effects and management of these toxic ad dangerous wastes
so as to make the process energy efficient and environment friendly
E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life“.The rate of e-waste generation is increasing by 10% every year .So we have to take care of this problem very sincerely, and try to produce less electronic waste and always think about the reusability of things.
Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal are also considered e-waste. Informal processing of e-waste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and environmental pollution.
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - Part 2Michelle Crawford
This course is available in video format at https://www.gbrionline.org/un-sdg and www.i-believe.org Programs and policies backed by the United Nations have shaped the world we live in for the past half-century. The latest program, which has been in development for four years, is the release of the Sustainable Development Goals. By 2030, these Goals aim to combat the world’s most wicked and pressing problems, including poverty, hunger, and climate change, among many others. Since this course series runs over 3 hours, we broke it into 3 parts so that users may watch it on their own schedule. Note that the series as a whole is approved for CE and each part is separately approved for CE hours as well. As you can see - each of these 17 goals represent or address an important issue in today’s world. Depending on your interest, you may jump into any part as you wish. When watching this course on-demand, you also have the option of just viewing the goals you are most interested in. Objectives Understand the UN’s contributions to social equality, human wellness, and the environment; and the process used to develop the Goals Identify each Sustainable Development Goal Analyze the Targets of each Goal Understand how governments, businesses, and individuals can have an impact on achieving the Goals Learn how to take immediate participatory action in favor of the Goals
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - Part 3Michelle Crawford
This course is available in video format at https://www.gbrionline.org/un-sdg and www.i-believe.org Programs and policies backed by the United Nations have shaped the world we live in for the past half-century. The latest program, which has been in development for four years, is the release of the Sustainable Development Goals. By 2030, these Goals aim to combat the world’s most wicked and pressing problems, including poverty, hunger, and climate change, among many others. Since this course series runs over 3 hours, we broke it into 3 parts so that users may watch it on their own schedule. Note that the series as a whole is approved for CE and each part is separately approved for CE hours as well. As you can see - each of these 17 goals represent or address an important issue in today’s world. Depending on your interest, you may jump into any part as you wish. When watching this course on-demand, you also have the option of just viewing the goals you are most interested in. Objectives Understand the UN’s contributions to social equality, human wellness, and the environment; and the process used to develop the Goals Identify each Sustainable Development Goal Analyze the Targets of each Goal Understand how governments, businesses, and individuals can have an impact on achieving the Goals Learn how to take immediate participatory action in favor of the Goals
This is a literature review in a presentation format which revolves around electronic waste. It discusses the importance of recycling the waste and economic, political, medical, and ecological implications of ignoring the accumulation of said waste. Additionally, it talks about what is being done to counter e-waste and brings up a possible method to extract precious metals from Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
Excessive Increment in E-Waste System and its Prohibition through Green Compu...Editor IJCATR
In the current scenario, the information and communication technology have made drastic changes in our daily routine like
industries, institution and almost in each field. In today’s world there is a large amount of usage of electronic equipments which are
giving rise to many problems. The energy consumption from such devices also leading to various global warming issues. At the
same time they are leading to many problems like problems of massive amount 0of hazardous waste and other wastes which are
generated from electronic equipment
Therefore here we will discuss about various consequences of e-waste , their effects and management of these toxic ad dangerous wastes
so as to make the process energy efficient and environment friendly
E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life“.The rate of e-waste generation is increasing by 10% every year .So we have to take care of this problem very sincerely, and try to produce less electronic waste and always think about the reusability of things.
Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal are also considered e-waste. Informal processing of e-waste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and environmental pollution.
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - Part 2Michelle Crawford
This course is available in video format at https://www.gbrionline.org/un-sdg and www.i-believe.org Programs and policies backed by the United Nations have shaped the world we live in for the past half-century. The latest program, which has been in development for four years, is the release of the Sustainable Development Goals. By 2030, these Goals aim to combat the world’s most wicked and pressing problems, including poverty, hunger, and climate change, among many others. Since this course series runs over 3 hours, we broke it into 3 parts so that users may watch it on their own schedule. Note that the series as a whole is approved for CE and each part is separately approved for CE hours as well. As you can see - each of these 17 goals represent or address an important issue in today’s world. Depending on your interest, you may jump into any part as you wish. When watching this course on-demand, you also have the option of just viewing the goals you are most interested in. Objectives Understand the UN’s contributions to social equality, human wellness, and the environment; and the process used to develop the Goals Identify each Sustainable Development Goal Analyze the Targets of each Goal Understand how governments, businesses, and individuals can have an impact on achieving the Goals Learn how to take immediate participatory action in favor of the Goals
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - Part 3Michelle Crawford
This course is available in video format at https://www.gbrionline.org/un-sdg and www.i-believe.org Programs and policies backed by the United Nations have shaped the world we live in for the past half-century. The latest program, which has been in development for four years, is the release of the Sustainable Development Goals. By 2030, these Goals aim to combat the world’s most wicked and pressing problems, including poverty, hunger, and climate change, among many others. Since this course series runs over 3 hours, we broke it into 3 parts so that users may watch it on their own schedule. Note that the series as a whole is approved for CE and each part is separately approved for CE hours as well. As you can see - each of these 17 goals represent or address an important issue in today’s world. Depending on your interest, you may jump into any part as you wish. When watching this course on-demand, you also have the option of just viewing the goals you are most interested in. Objectives Understand the UN’s contributions to social equality, human wellness, and the environment; and the process used to develop the Goals Identify each Sustainable Development Goal Analyze the Targets of each Goal Understand how governments, businesses, and individuals can have an impact on achieving the Goals Learn how to take immediate participatory action in favor of the Goals
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - Part 1Michelle Crawford
This course is available in video format at https://www.gbrionline.org/un-sdg and www.i-believe.org Programs and policies backed by the United Nations have shaped the world we live in for the past half-century. The latest program, which has been in development for four years, is the release of the Sustainable Development Goals. By 2030, these Goals aim to combat the world’s most wicked and pressing problems, including poverty, hunger, and climate change, among many others. Since this course series runs over 3 hours, we broke it into 3 parts so that users may watch it on their own schedule. Note that the series as a whole is approved for CE and each part is separately approved for CE hours as well. As you can see - each of these 17 goals represent or address an important issue in today’s world. Depending on your interest, you may jump into any part as you wish. When watching this course on-demand, you also have the option of just viewing the goals you are most interested in. Objectives Understand the UN’s contributions to social equality, human wellness, and the environment; and the process used to develop the Goals Identify each Sustainable Development Goal Analyze the Targets of each Goal Understand how governments, businesses, and individuals can have an impact on achieving the Goals Learn how to take immediate participatory action in favor of the Goals
This is a talk I gave at a Women Who Code meetup that was hosted at Bazaarvoice. I go into what third party JavaScript is, what unique challenges it brings to web development, and how we overcome those challenges at Bazaarvoice.
E-WasteFuture archaeologists will note that at the tail end o.docxjacksnathalie
E-Waste
“Future archaeologists will note that at the tail end of the 20th century, a new, noxious kind of clutter exploded across the landscape: the digital detritus that has come to be called e-waste” (Carroll 3).
This statement by Carroll shows the epidemic of e waste that the entire globe is suffering from. E waste from our definition is used electronics such as TVs, phones, computers, and radio. As technology advances new and advances electronic appliances are brought in the market which attracts consumers, therefore consumer in pursuit of elegance, quality or even prestige opt out of their old devices and go for the new more technological devices. This has created a major problem of disposing the old and used devices and over the years the total numbers of e waste have been in the rise. “Gordon Moore, co-founder of the computer-chip maker Intel, observed that computer processing power roughly doubles every two years. An unstated corollary to "Moore's law" is that at any given time, all the machines considered state-of-the-art are simultaneously on the verge of obsolescence” (Carroll 3). This shows us that the problem is here, which keep on the same way of consummating electronic devices, and the more we still doing the same thing, the more that we will get in bigger problem.
Various researches give various values for the amount of e waste that have been dumped not only across U.S but also all over the planet. However, both agree that the amount of e waste is alarming and have been on the increase over the recent years. For example, more than about 130 million still working phones were retired in 2002 in the U.S alone and the number have been increasing with the years. In Japan phones are said to be discarded a year after purchase (Slade 6). In the U.S it is said that about 98 million cell phones took their last call in 2005 (Carroll 3). The computers on the other hand are said to have decreased in lifespan from about 4.5 years in 1992 to about 2 years in 2005. This has led to large amount of e waste about 20 million per year globally. The digital migration of TVs from analog to digital has led to generation of about 25 million yearly e wastes of TVs in the US alone. In total according to the UNEP if all e wastes are tallied they could amount to about 50 million tones yearly (Carroll 3). This brings us to the question, what has led to this high number of electronic waste?
Each and every day Samsung, Apple, Microsoft and other information giant companies announce a new model, which they claim to be better than the previous model. New phones with more advanced or even new technologies are manufactured; TVs, which are better than the already existing versions are, invented daily, Laptops or PC with bigger RAM or internal memory or even better graphics enter the markets. This technological advancement is one of the major factors that have led to increase in the amount of e waste (Slade 6). Everyone is rushing to have the best of the availab ...
Student 1
Jill Student
Professor Elliott-White
English 111-0011
31 March 2015
Banning E-waste
It is estimated that over 84 million broken or obsolete television, 200 million phones, and millions of computers and electronic devices sit collecting dust in homes, garages, attics, and basements (Infotrac Newsstands). Imagining a world in which no computers, cell phones, or televisions existed is not an easy task because the world has become fast paced complete with sophisticated electronic devices to match. Rapid technological innovations are rendering most electronic devices obsolete quicker than ever and creating a littered urban picture filled with the carcasses of the digital age called e-waste. E-waste is a generic term covering a variety of electronic devices that are nearing their end of life cycle and are discarded, donated, or given up to be recycled and is classified as the fastest growing part of global waste streams. The Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA, estimates that the United States produces about 2.37 million tons of e-waste annually of which only about 25% of that is recovered with the remainder finding their final resting place in landfills. When considering the imminent danger of e-waste, there is a clear need to ban the flow of e-waste exports from the United States to developing nations due to the importance of ensuring that e-waste exports do not threaten national security, the strategic interest in recovering valuable materials, and the toll that it is taking on human health and the environment.
With the advancements in technology, also comes the advancements in counterfeit techniques which creates a potential for threats against national security. Counterfeit chips have been discovered not only in military equipment, but also government entities, that were refurbished from old e-waste and then sold to the United States. The counterfeit technology now has the potential to cause equipment failure and malfunction (Olds). Not only is it costly to remove malware, but also the man hours needed to remove any affected devices can be time consuming and expensive. In addition to counterfeit chips, there is evidence of fake routers being sold to all branches of the military, again in the form of refurbished and recycled e-waste components, which not only puts the government at risk but also the military (Olds). Secret information within the government and military could be at threat for espionage due to the fake routers which could then be accessed and exploited. There are multiple reports that state the majority of fake materials stem from plants located in China, specifically Guiyu which is a leading e-waste recycling plant (Olds). With a ban on e-waste exports, potential foreign enemies wouldn’t have access to government and military electronic devices that may not have been wiped cleaned before being discarded because the devices would all be recycled and refurbished within the national borders thus significantl.
Today e-waste are becoming a major problem for the developing countries. E-waste is defined something
as a discarded parts of electronic devices which contains most of the times, hazardous chemicals which is
deadly for our environment, example is computer components. Green Computing is the study and practice
of designing, using, disposing and manufacturing electronic components in an eco-friendly manner and
Green Computing is one of the solution to tackle with this hazardous e-waste problem which is an emerging
concern towards the environment. The objective of this paper is to draw the attention towards the lack of
awareness about green computing or we can say how green computing policies is being ignored by
developing countries and how developed countries are adopting green IT policies seriously. This paper
also discusses the analysis which has been done on how the amount of e-waste has been increased in
developing countries in past years.
E-Waste: A Hazard to Human Beings and EnvironmentDr Somvir Bajar
Management of the fastest-growing e-waste is a severe problem and has attracted worldwide attention. The electrical and electronic devices have become a part of everyone’s day to day life. Faster upgradation of electrical and electronic product is forcing consumers to add more e-waste to the solid waste stream. The growing problem of e-waste calls for greater emphasis on recycling e-waste. However, recycling of hazardous components in informal sector attracts several health-related problems and pollution to the environment, which call attempts for better e-waste management.
WHO Report: E-waste Contributes to 23 Percent of Deaths in Developing CountriesSebastian_Alexander
In 2016, the world produced electronic waste (e-waste) equivalent to the weight of 4,500 Eiffel Towers. The Global E-waste Monitor released a report in 2017 which found that globally, 44.7 million metric tons of e-waste was generated the previous year.
A Comprehensive Study On E Waste Management: Present Situation And Future Imp...Mosfiqur Rahman
Now-a-days, Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of fastest growing pollution problem for
environment and as well as threaten human body due to its presence in variety of toxic
substances as its disposal system are not properly managed. In Bangladesh, a large number of
electronic waste are generated but its subsequent handling, reuse, recycling and disposal are not
properly handled and can cause significant environmental and health hazards. At present, there is
lack of awareness about the hazards of electronic waste in Bangladesh. The electronic waste may
reuse, broken down into parts or disposed of completely. The present informal practice of
recycling is not carried out safely and it becomes a danger to human health and the surrounding
environment. This paper will share the management system of electronic disposal items and
trend of usage of electronic equipments. It will also share what hazards have been created from
this electronic waste, what are the present dumping practices and what rules are there in place for
dumping. It will also identify the level of awareness regarding e-waste and to determine a way to
reduce environmental hazards.
Improving the viability of probiotics by encapsulation methods for developmen...Open Access Research Paper
The popularity of functional foods among scientists and common people has been increasing day by day. Awareness and modernization make the consumer think better regarding food and nutrition. Now a day’s individual knows very well about the relation between food consumption and disease prevalence. Humans have a diversity of microbes in the gut that together form the gut microflora. Probiotics are the health-promoting live microbial cells improve host health through gut and brain connection and fighting against harmful bacteria. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the two bacterial genera which are considered to be probiotic. These good bacteria are facing challenges of viability. There are so many factors such as sensitivity to heat, pH, acidity, osmotic effect, mechanical shear, chemical components, freezing and storage time as well which affects the viability of probiotics in the dairy food matrix as well as in the gut. Multiple efforts have been done in the past and ongoing in present for these beneficial microbial population stability until their destination in the gut. One of a useful technique known as microencapsulation makes the probiotic effective in the diversified conditions and maintain these microbe’s community to the optimum level for achieving targeted benefits. Dairy products are found to be an ideal vehicle for probiotic incorporation. It has been seen that the encapsulated microbial cells show higher viability than the free cells in different processing and storage conditions as well as against bile salts in the gut. They make the food functional when incorporated, without affecting the product sensory characteristics.
different Modes of Insect Plant InteractionArchita Das
different modes of interaction between insects and plants including mutualism, commensalism, antagonism, Pairwise and diffuse coevolution, Plant defenses, how coevolution started
ENVIRONMENT~ Renewable Energy Sources and their future prospects.tiwarimanvi3129
This presentation is for us to know that how our Environment need Attention for protection of our natural resources which are depleted day by day that's why we need to take time and shift our attention to renewable energy sources instead of non-renewable sources which are better and Eco-friendly for our environment. these renewable energy sources are so helpful for our planet and for every living organism which depends on environment.
Presented by The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action at GLF Peatlands 2024 - The Global Peatlands Assessment: Mapping, Policy, and Action
"Understanding the Carbon Cycle: Processes, Human Impacts, and Strategies for...MMariSelvam4
The carbon cycle is a critical component of Earth's environmental system, governing the movement and transformation of carbon through various reservoirs, including the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms. This complex cycle involves several key processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and carbon sequestration, each contributing to the regulation of carbon levels on the planet.
Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have significantly altered the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and driving climate change. Understanding the intricacies of the carbon cycle is essential for assessing the impacts of these changes and developing effective mitigation strategies.
By studying the carbon cycle, scientists can identify carbon sources and sinks, measure carbon fluxes, and predict future trends. This knowledge is crucial for crafting policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing carbon storage, and promoting sustainable practices. The carbon cycle's interplay with climate systems, ecosystems, and human activities underscores its importance in maintaining a stable and healthy planet.
In-depth exploration of the carbon cycle reveals the delicate balance required to sustain life and the urgent need to address anthropogenic influences. Through research, education, and policy, we can work towards restoring equilibrium in the carbon cycle and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Characterization and the Kinetics of drying at the drying oven and with micro...Open Access Research Paper
The objective of this work is to contribute to valorization de Nephelium lappaceum by the characterization of kinetics of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum. The seeds were dehydrated until a constant mass respectively in a drying oven and a microwawe oven. The temperatures and the powers of drying are respectively: 50, 60 and 70°C and 140, 280 and 420 W. The results show that the curves of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum do not present a phase of constant kinetics. The coefficients of diffusion vary between 2.09.10-8 to 2.98. 10-8m-2/s in the interval of 50°C at 70°C and between 4.83×10-07 at 9.04×10-07 m-8/s for the powers going of 140 W with 420 W the relation between Arrhenius and a value of energy of activation of 16.49 kJ. mol-1 expressed the effect of the temperature on effective diffusivity.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT GREEN WASHING IS!.pdfJulietMogola
Many companies today use green washing to lure the public into thinking they are conserving the environment but in real sense they are doing more harm. There have been such several cases from very big companies here in Kenya and also globally. This ranges from various sectors from manufacturing and goes to consumer products. Educating people on greenwashing will enable people to make better choices based on their analysis and not on what they see on marketing sites.
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies.EpconLP
Epcon is One of the World's leading Manufacturing Companies. With over 4000 installations worldwide, EPCON has been pioneering new techniques since 1977 that have become industry standards now. Founded in 1977, Epcon has grown from a one-man operation to a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative air pollution control technology and industrial heating equipment.
2. E-WASTE
he amount of e-waste has skyrocket-
ed in the last 30 years, representing
20% of America’s trash in landfills and
70% of toxic waste materials. This phe-
nomenon is a result of rapid technological
advances and high demand from consum-
ers. E-waste contains thousands of different
components, including hazardous materials
that contribute to vast amounts of pollution.
In the 1980s, developed countries would
export their e-waste to developing countries
where the ‘recycling’ costs were cheaper
and the laws less strict towards protecting
the environment and their people. After a
public outcry, the 1989 Basel Convention
made the practice illegal, yet e-waste from
developed countries continues to be export-
ed to countries such as China, India, Paki-
stan, the Philippines, Nigeria, Ghana, and
Brazil, to name a few. As leaders in inno-
vation, technology giants should take more
responsibility towards designing products
and programs that are more sustainable.
As consumers, our society needs to make
an effort at prolonging the lifespans of elec-
tronic devices.
T
E-WASTE CONTAINS THOUSANDS
OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS, IN-
CLUDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
What is your role &
are gadget makers
helping?
GBRIonline.org/articles2
By Julia Guerra
3. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME
YOU UPDATED YOUR
IPHONE?
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 you’ll lose all your data. So
it’s often easier for consumers to
frequently throw away their elec-
tronic devices, generating the
world’s 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
or electronic device found in your
home or office. Common types
of e-waste include television and
computer monitors, cell phones,
and printers, with computers and
Introduction THE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IN YOUR CELL
PHONE LOSES MORE THAN HALF OF ITS
FUNCTIONALITY AFTER ABOUT A YEAR
OF HEAVY USE
E-WASTE CONTAINS THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT
MATERIALS SOME OF SUCH ARE HEAVY TOXIC CHEM-
ICALS, SUCH LEAD, AND HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS,
SUCH AS BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS
GBRIonline.org/articles 3
A
cell phones as the biggest culprits
as consumers replace these items
the most frequently. E-waste con-
tains thousands of different mate-
rials some of such are heavy toxic
chemicals, such lead, and hazard-
ous chemicals, such as brominated
flame retardants. If not properly
disposed of, toxins from e-waste can
enter the soil, air, and water sup-
plies.
4. 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
• Laptop computers with LCD screens
• Portable DVD players with LCD
screens
• Televisions with LCD screens
• Plasma televisions
• Computer keyboards and mice
• Cathode ray tubes (CRTs)
• Cash registers and oscilloscopes
containing CRTs
• Televisions containing CRTs
• Telephones, cell phones, and
answering machines
• Video cassettes
• Calculators
• Microwaves
• Printers, copiers and fax machines
• VCRs
• Cable/satellite
• Game consoles
• Converter boxes
The amount of e-waste has skyrocketed in the last 30 years,
representing 20% of the US’s trash in landfills and 70% of
toxic waste materials. According to a U.N. study, 41.8 mil-
lion tonnes of “e-waste” were dumped around the globe in
2014 and only an estimated 6.5 million tonnes were taken for
recycling. The United States and China were the chief contrib-
utors with U.S at 7.1 million tonnes and China at 6.0 million
tonnes.
Global volumes of e-waste are likely to rise by more than 20
percent to 50 million tonnes in 2018 according to the same
U.N study. These figures that we should not be proud of is
huge and is increasing at an alarming rate.
T
How Much e-Waste is
Actually out There?
E-Waste
as a very
broad
term
What constitutes
specifically as e-waste can
vary between different
countries
GBRIonline.org/articles4
The amount of e-waste has
skyrocketed in the last 30
years, representing 20% of
the US’s trash in landfills
and 70% of toxic waste
materials
5. 10 FACTS
ABOUT E-WASTE
In 2009, discarded TVs, computers,
peripherals (including printers, scanners, fax
machines) mice, keyboards, and cell phones
totaled about 2.37 million short tons
E-waste represents 2% of America's
trash in landfills, but it equals 70% of overall toxic
waste
20 to 50 million metric tons
of e-waste are disposed worldwide
every year
A large number of what is
labeled as "e-waste" is actually not
waste at all, but rather whole
electronic equipment or parts that
are readily marketable for reuse or
can be recycled for materials
recovery
Only 12.5% of e-waste
is currently recycledFor every 1 million cell
phones that are recycled, 35,274
lbs of copper, 772 lbs of silver, 75
lbs of gold, and 33 lbs of palladium
can be recovered
Recycling 1 million
laptops saves the energy equivalent
to the electricity used by 3,657 U.S.
homes in a year
E-waste is still the
fastest growing municipal
waste stream in America,
according to the EPA
It takes 530 lbs of
fossil fuel, 48 lbs of chemicals,
and 1.5 tons of water to
manufacture one computer and
monitor
Cell phones and other
electronic items contain high
amounts of precious metals like
gold or silver. Americans dump
phones containing over $60
million in gold/silver every year
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
6. 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 there’s 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,
the most common way for it to reach humans is through
bioaccumulation. In this case, mercury pollutes water
bodies where it transforms into a highly toxic material
that travels up to high levels in the food chain, mostly
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.
LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM CAN
CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE KIDNEYS
AND BONE STRUCTURE
Mercury is particularly dangerous
for the developing brain and central
nervous systems in fetuses and
young children
Are there Human Health and
Environmental Issues with e-waste?
GBRIonline.org/articles 6
I
7. WHEN INCINERATED, PVC RELEASES
CHLORINATED DIOXINS AND
FURANS, WHICH ARE EXTREMELY
TOXIC EVEN IN LOW LEVELS
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.
Yet another hazardous material is brominated
flame-retardants, which are used in circuit boards
and plastic casings, make products more flame
resistant. Since, they don’t break down easily,
they remain in the environment for long periods
of time. When incinerated, its particles can be
found in the dust and air. Long-term exposure can
cause impaired learning and memory functions,
and even severe hormonal disorders. Fortunately,
many electronic manufacturers have begun to phase out
brominated flame-retardants because of their high
toxicity.
A major pollutant that is common in electrical devices is
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a chlorinated plastic used for
insulation on wires and cables. When incinerated, PVC
releases chlorinated dioxins and furans, which are ex-
tremely toxic even in low levels.
In 2012, the US generated 3.412 million tons of e-waste
with only 1 million tons having been recycled. The re-
mainder was trashed in either landfills or incinerators,
creating vast amounts of pollution and toxic waste. In
developing countries, the majority of those who work
to ‘recycle’ e-waste are children, who are espe-
cially vulnerable to the affects of high levels of
toxicity.
GBRIonline.org/articles7
8. 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.
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
A short history on e-waste disposal
I
GBRIonline.org/articles 8
Photo Credit:
Andrew McConnell / Panos
9. ess than 15% of e-waste is currently
being recycled globally, raising con-
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.
Since the first public outcry over e-waste land-
fills in Africa in the 1980s, there have been
great strides towards phasing-out hazardous
materials in electronic devices. For example,
brands like Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Apple, that
consist of more than 50% of the mobile mar-
ket, have eliminated the use of brominated
flame-retardants in their devices. However,
there is still much to be improved upon in
order to make the technology industry more
sustainable.
Here are some methods in which e-waste is
currently disposed of around the world:
Reuse
When an electronic device’s life cycle is
prolonged, it ultimately means that there’s
less e-waste produced. Reusing a product can
be done by either donation or by replacing
products with spare parts. However, many
old products still end up being exported to
developing countries. The lifespans of elec-
tronic devices in developing countries is much
longer than that of richer countries, but again,
e-waste still ends up improperly disposed of
in landfills scattered throughout the world.
This makes reusing a tactic that moderates the
problem but does not eliminate it.
How is e-waste
disposed of now?
L
BRANDS LIKE SONY ERICSSON, NOKIA,
APPLE, THAT CONSIST OF MORE THAN 50%
OF THE MOBILE MARKET, HAVE ELIMINATED
THE USE OF BROMINATED FLAME-RETAR-
DANTS IN THEIR DEVICES
Less than 15% of e-waste
is currently being recycled
globally
E-waste continue to be ex-
ported legally and illegally
from Europe and the Ameri-
cas to developing countries
GBRIonline.org/articles9
10. Recycle
In developed countries, recycling is performed
in purpose-built recycling plants under controlled
conditions with highly trained staff. By recycling 1
million laptops, the US saves the energy equivalent
of electricity used by 3,657 households. Despite
this, only 29% of e-waste generated in the US is
recycled.
Many developing countries, in contrast, use rudi-
mentary methods to recycle their e-waste and have
no environmental standards. Children, who are
especially vulnerable to hazardous materials, are
often the ones to perform this work by hand with
no gloves or face masks. Uninformed about the
health risks, workers at e-waste sites are prone to
skin rashes, cancer, weakening of the
BY RECYCLING 1 MILLION LAPTOPS, THE US SAVES THE
ENERGY EQUIVALENT OF ELECTRICITY USED
BY 3,657 HOUSEHOLDS
immune system, and respiratory, nerve, kidney, and
brain damage.
Incineration
A common waste treatment practice throughout the
world is incineration. In developing countries, this prac-
tice is done openly, releasing heavy metals, such as
lead, cadmium and mercury into the air as ashes and
dust.
CHILDREN, WHO ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS, ARE OFTEN THE ONES TO PERFORM THIS WORK BY
HAND WITH NO GLOVES OR FACE MASKS. UNINFORMED ABOUT
THE HEALTH RISKS, WORKERS AT E-WASTE SITES ARE PRONE TO
SKIN RASHES, CANCER, WEAKENING OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, AND
RESPIRATORY, NERVE, KIDNEY, AND BRAIN DAMAGE
GBRIonline.org/articles 10
11. 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.
In order to solve this issue, there has to be a
full transformation of the way in which our
society consumes and disposes of e-waste.
First, technology giants need to take respon-
sibility for their end-of-life products. Take-back
programs should be created by technology
giants to offer free and convenient recycling
of their products to all their customers. Mobile
phone companies such as Nokia and Apple
have already developed extensive take-back
programs, yet there is still very few take back
programs for other electronic device industries,
such as televisions. Sony reports that it collects
53% of its olds products in Japan, where there
is strict legislation, which is five times better
than the global average for a major PC pro-
ducer.
The elimination of hazardous materials in
electronic devices and the recycling of parts in
the manufacturing process would a major step
toward reducing e-waste. Recycling is already
What can we do
about this?
C
TECHNOLOGY GIANTS NEED TO TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR END-OF-
LIFE PRODUCTS
GBRIonline.org/articles11
12. Designing electronic devices to
be more durable and easy to
repair would be a final step
towards a sustainable future
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.
GBRIonline.org/articles 12
13. TECHNOLOGY GIANTS NEED TO CONSIDER CREATING PROGRAMS FOR
CONSUMERS TO CONVENIENTLY RECYCLE THEIR OLD DEVICES
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.
SO, DO YOU REALLY NEED THE RECENTLY RELEASED IPHONE 7 PLUS?
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO RECYCLE YOUR E-WASTE SAFELY
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 it’s 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
Conclusion
N
GBRIonline.org/articles13