Electronic Waste
Don’t Be Haste to E-Waste
Electronic-waste (e-waste) has emerged as a critical global environmental health issue in both developed and developing nations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to e-waste as "electronic products that are discarded by consumers." More specifically, e-waste is a generic term that encompasses various forms of electrical and electronic equipment that may be old, might have reached end-of-life and most importantly cease to be of any value to their present owners. These electronics include computers, printers, television sets, mobile phones, video game consoles, and VCR and DVD players, among other products. As the demand for newer, more effective and efficient technology increases, the life span of electronic products is becoming shorter and shorter; thus, our consumer society today, which Annie Leonard’s The Story of Stuff describes as a society with a throwaway mindset, discards significant amounts of e-waste worldwide as older and out-of-date electronic items become obsolete. Sound management is imperative to face the challenges that come about as a result of this new kind of waste; and while certain nations such as the United States and Japan have refocused their attention on recycling for the management of electronic waste, it is up to society at large—whether it be individual consumers, large corporations, or non-governmental organizations—to take action in reducing the amounts of e-waste produced.
According to the EPA, e-waste is the fastest growing stream of municipal solid waste, growing at about 4% a year; however, its management remains a significant environment health concern. It is estimated that 20-50 million tons of e-waste are produced annually worldwide; the United States, Western Europe, China, Japan, and Australia are the major producers (Davis and Herat 2010, 707). Although it does not create visible heaps of trash like municipal waste, e-waste is very complex, non-biodegradable and toxic. Electronic and
Electronic-waste (e-waste) has emerged as a critical global environmental health issue in both developed and developing nations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to e-waste as "electronic products that are discarded by consumers." More specifically, e-waste is a generic term that encompasses various forms of electrical and electronic equipment that may be old, might have reached end-of-life and most importantly cease to be of any value to their present owners. These electronics include computers, printers, television sets, mobile phones, video game consoles, and VCR and DVD players, among other products. As the demand for newer, more effective and efficient technology increases, the life span of electronic products is becoming shorter and shorter; thus, our consumer society today, which Annie Leonard’s The Story of Stuff describes as a society with a throwaway mindset, discards significant amounts of e-waste worldwide as older and out-of-date electronic items become obsolete. Sound management is imperative to face the challenges that come about as a result of this new kind of waste; and while certain nations such as the United States and Japan have refocused their attention on recycling for the management of electronic waste, it is up to society at large—whether it be individual consumers, large corporations, or non-governmental organizations—to take action in reducing the amounts of e-waste produced.
According to the EPA, e-waste is the fastest growing stream of municipal solid waste, growing at about 4% a year; however, its management remains a significant environment health concern. It is estimated that 20-50 million tons of e-waste are produced annually worldwide; the United States, Western Europe, China, Japan, and Australia are the major producers (Davis and Herat 2010, 707). Although it does not create visible heaps of trash like municipal waste, e-waste is very complex, non-biodegradable and toxic. Electronic and
Bibliography: Leonard, Annie. "The Story of Stuff." 2008. Film strip, http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-stuff/. Davis G, Heart S. 2010. Opportunities and Constraints for Developing a Sustainable E-waste Management System at Local Government Level in Australia. Waste Management Resolution 28; 705-713. U.S. EPA. 2008. Management of Electronic Waste in the United States: Approach 1. EPA530-R-08-009. Washington, DC: Office of Solid Waste, U.S. EPA. UNEP Europe, 2005. E-waste, the hidden side of IT equipment’s manufacturing and use. Chapter 5 – Early Warning on Emerging Environmental Threats. . Huo X 2007. Elevated blood lead levels of children in Guiyu, an electronic waste recycling town in China. Environmental Health Perspective 115: 1113-1117. UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations University). 2009. Sustainable Innovation and Technology Transfer Industrial Sector Studies. Recyling—From E-waste to Resources.