May 01, 2009-Karla Solo

What is that?

Why is e-waste bad?

E-Waste

Who gets the trash?

Solution
Electronic Waste Karla solo

05/06/09

What is that?
E-Waste for short - or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) - is the term used to describe old, end-oflife or discarded appliances using electricity. E-waste is a loose category of surplus, obsolete, broken, or discarded electrical or electronic devices Because this equipment (computer, Handphone) rapidly goes out of date, modern countries are generating millions of tons of E-waste annually.
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo

Electronic waste dumped in residential area just outside of Alaba market in Lagos. This e-waste is routinely burned here.

05/06/09

Electronic Waste Karla solo

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Why is e-waste bad for the environment?

Electronic equipment contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants. Circuit boards contain heavy metals that leach out into the environment and affect our public health and natural resources, but when recycled, can help manufacture new electronics.

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Electronic Waste Karla solo

Environment Aspect

Health Aspect

Politic Aspect

International Aspect

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Electronic Waste Karla solo

Environment Aspect
Electronic goods contain toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury. When disposed of improperly, the toxins could leach into the environment

How:
(1.) Do not dispose of your old TV, or other electronics with your regular trash. Bring it to your local electronics-recycling center. (2.) If you're buying a new computer, see if the store has a trade-in offer. Many companies will recycle your old computer and give you a discount toward buying a new one. (3.) Donate your old cell phone. Some charities provide people in need with free refurbished phones to use during emergencies.

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Electronic Waste Karla solo

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Health Aspect
1. 2. 3. Some e-waste contains heavy metals that can be harmful to humans. Example: Cell phone batteries contain a chemical called cadmium that can cause damage to kidneys. Some computer monitors contain lead, which can cause brain damage. Flat TV screens are made with mercury, which may cause injury to the nervous system. The nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, controls body activities. 4. Those metals may also leak toxins into the ground or give off pollutants when burned.

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Electronic Waste Karla solo

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Politic Aspect
Hard drive: Some of the most popular destinations for dumping computer hardware include China, India, and Nigeria. It can be 10 times cheaper for a "recycler" to ship waste to China than to dispose of it properly at home. Hazardous waste: Lead, mercury, and cadmium are a computer's most common toxic substances. When melted down, the machines release even more toxins into the air, ground, and water. A living wage: Although developing countries occasionally attempt to ban ewaste, the shipments can be vital to local economies.

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Electronic Waste Karla solo

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International Aspect
Strengthening European Union policies on electronic and chemical waste will reverberate around the world, according to two academic experts examining the issue. Stacy Van Deveer and Henrik Selin said that three strict EU policies would influence markets, the environment, and regulations worldwide. In the last five years, the European Union developed and adopted major e-waste directives, which members are beginning to implement this year. They require electronics manufacturers to offer free disposal of consumers' used equipment and prohibit the export of hazardous waste to developing countries for disposal. A more recent rule requires registration, evaluation, and authorization of more than 30,000 chemical substances. The rules put the European Union in the global lead in terms of protecting consumers and the environment.

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Electronic Waste Karla solo

Example:

E-waste is the fastest growing portion of the waste stream in the United States - It grew by almost 8% from 2004 to 2005, even though the overall municipal waste stream volume is declining
05/06/09 Electronic Waste Karla solo

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Who gets the trash?

Karashi Singapore Nanhai Ahmedabad Mumbai Madras

05/06/09

Electronic Waste Karla solo

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The Solutions

Reduce
Be a responsible shopper, and take care of your electronics so they will last longer.

Reuse
Although the benefits of reusing electronics in this way are clear, the practice is causing serious problems because the old products are dumped after a short period of use in areas that are unlikely to have hazardous waste facilities.

Recycle
To find a responsible recyclers, contact a local or state environmental group.

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Electronic Waste Karla solo

Bibliography
Chiang, Mona. "Take action: go green: here are some simple things that you can do to help save the environment." Science World 63.13 (April 16, 2007): 18(2). Student Edition. Gale. London District Catholic School Board. 5 May 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=STOM> "Heavy metal: trashed technology is turning into a high-tech hazard." Weekly Reader, Senior Edition (including Science Spin) 84.23 (April 21, 2006): 7(1). Student Edition. Gale. London District Catholic School Board. 5 May 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=STOM> http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://disposalsource.com/images/chart.jpg&imgrefurl=http://disposalsource.com /industry-news.html&usg=__hCtSZ4khH13wQSDVs2ijOncHiY=&h=300&w=383&sz=66&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=bOJ9ZFlvUyUazM:&tbnh =96&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3De%2Bwaste%2Blandfills%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1 Behring, Natalie. "Inside the digital dump: technology drives the forces of globalization. But when we replace our computers and flat-screens with the newest in high-tech cool, what happens to the hardware we throw away? Welcome to the digital dumping ground, where the poor make a living off other people's spare parts.(Wide Angle)(Brief article)." Foreign Policy 160 (May-June 2007): 74(6). Student Edition. Gale. London District Catholic School Board. 5 May 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=STOM> http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxic/electronics/where-does-waste-end-up

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Electronic Waste Karla solo