Types and Environmental Impacts of Electronic Waste - Essay Example

3) The information revolution of the last decade has meant that there are so many more powered devices in our homes and lives. At what cost is this increase to our environment? Furthermore, are there any companies or organisations trying to offset this somehow? Name Course Tutor Date Introduction The information revolution in the last decade has led to the introduction of many powered devices both in homes and daily business lives of people. These devices forged to make life easier have been introduced in almost every field and sector of the global economy; infact, lack of such devices in the business world is considered lack of competitive advantage. With the advantages of making the objectives of the manufacturers a reality also comes the darker side of the electronic devices. The impacts of these devices are largely felt in the environment and has been the center or point of reference for most debates all over the world. Most importantly, as the world advances and gets globalized there is need to come up with more systems o as to sustain the corresponding demand. These electronic devices such as mobile phones, television sets, computers, radios and other devices that are used to facilitate communication electronically (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). When these technologies become obsolete the devices lack use as people shift to new better and productive technologies. Consequently, the devices become what is referred to as electronic waste, e-waste or waste from used electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). These waste is currently the world’s most growing waste streams. The United States has been recognized as the chief producer of electronic waste where an estimated 100 million television sets and computers as well as monitors are dumped annually. Additionally, 130 million mobile phones are also generated in the same country annually (Herat, 2011). On the other hand in the European Union 9.3 million tons of electronic waste is generated annually from computers and television sets. Still in Europe, 105 million phones reach their end-of life cycle and are dumped (Herat, 2011). These are only two regions in the whole world statistics from all over the world would therefore be enormous. This paper evaluates the types of electronic wastes, their impacts to the environment and the organizations or companies that are trying to reduce the electronic waste. Types of Electronic Waste There has been a rising concern in the developing countries that depend on developed countries for technological support. This has led to the increase of electronic waste stream in the developing nations. Computer monitors are slowly shifting into the flat screen compared to the Cathode Ray tubes (CRT) (Herat, 2011). This has led to the increase in the number of monitors that are either dumped or are not in use. This form of e-waste accounts for 10% of all the e-waste generated globally. Television sets that have also become obsolete account for 10% as well. Computers, telephones, fax, printers and scanners account for 15%, DVD players, CD players, radios among others account for 15% as well. Refrigerators account for 20% and washing machines, vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, toasters, blenders, iron and air conditioners account for 30% (Herat, 2011). This is just the share by percentage, however numerically, the wastes form large volumes that get their way into the environment and have different impacts. The life span of these devices is very short due to the corresponding advancements in technology across the globe (Herat, 2011). Around 50 million tons of e-waste is generated annually all over the world. The amounts are predicted to increase by 2020 due to increased demand of electronic devices and the level of awareness that is growing all over the world (Herat, 2011). It is a known fact that the information revolution era has created a global village where individuals are able to communicate and travel across the globe in shorter periods compared to the previous pre technology era. The rise in communication has increased the demand and thus the supply of mobile phones and most recently smartphones. Even during their use the devices have been shown to emit some radiations and harmful gases into the atmosphere without the user’s awareness (Herat, 2011). The United Nations Environmental Program and EPA estimate that the amount of electronic waste currently being generated inclusive of mobile phones and computers will increase by 500% in the next decade in some countries all over the world. Despite banning e-waste imports China comes second after USA in relation to e-waste generation as 2.3 million tons of e-waste is generated from China annually (Pinto, 2008). India accounts for 1.5 million tons of e-waste. The printed circuit boards contain brominated flame retardants as well as heavy metals. Laptop batteries, CPUs, UPS and mobile phone batteries are also part of e-waste generated. Pinto (2008) asserts that e-waste items can be categorized into white goods that comprises of household items such as dish washers, air conditioners, dry cleaners and washing machines among others. Brown goods on the other hand comprises of TVs, camcorders, and cameras (Pinto, 2008). Lastly, there are grey goods that include printers, fax machines, scanners and blowers that are more complex to recycle. Environmental Impacts of Electronic Waste There has been a rising debate globally as to the environmental impacts that are brought about by the EEEs. EEEs are made up of a plethora of components some of which contain toxic substances that have adverse environmental impacts if not carefully handles (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). Research indicates that as people communicate through mobile phones, there is the emission of carbon that enters the atmosphere and is one of the gases that is responsible for global warming (Pinto, 2008). The manufacturing off mobile phones leads to emission of CO2 that raises the carbon footprint of the phones as well. Computers contain toxic chemicals like lead mercury, cadmium, beryllium, phosphor compounds, and BFR that are toxic to the environment (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). These heavy metals find their way into the ground water making it unsafe for the organisms that end up dying (Johri & Energy and Resources Institute, 2008). Some of these metal compounds leach into the water bodies causing pollution of the water bodies. The wastes are also burnt through informal recycling that releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. These toxic chemicals not only pollute the environment but also leads to acid rain. Acid rain has been associated with the destruction of structures and loss of biodiversity (Johri & Energy and Resources Institute, 2008). There has been an increase in the amount of temperature on the earth surface due to the depletion of the ozone layer of the atmosphere that covers the earth (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). This has led to increased rates of precipitation, melting of glaciers and ice-caps on mountains leading to the increase in the sea levels. The rise in sea levels have further caused tsunamis that sweep organisms as well as submerge the trees along the cost further leading to loss of biodiversity (Johri & Energy and Resources Institute, 2008). Additionally, during the incineration process the retardants are able to get into ground water, therefore reaching plants and therefore animals whose food chain comprises of plants (WHO, 2015). There has been cases where pollution due to landfill leaks have been blamed for destruction of forest covers therefore causing further increase in the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. When the mobile phones are operational they release mega joules of energy when charging, and transmitting signals via networks. The energy is equivalent to 7.5 gallons that is responsible for global warming. This is the case with all other devices that were aforementioned as they consume electricity and emit CO2 during their life cycles (Pinto, 2008). When their usage is done away with all electronic devices are either donated to other developing countries or reused where they continue to propagate their environmental impacts (Johri & Energy and Resources Institute, 2008). The other way in which these wastes are handled is through landfills where the heavy metals leak and find their ways into ground water, causing adverse effects on organisms (WHO, 2015). When recycling or manufacturing these devices harmful chemicals are used. Additionally, the whole process is also energy intensive posing greater effects on the atmosphere. Cadmium that is contained in most electronic components has been associates with cancer thus inducing tumors on organisms (Pinto, 2008). Lead on the other hand also has immune system effects on organisms as well as the nervous systems to the extent of causing brain damage. Brominated flame retardants that is used in joining plastic cases in these electronic devices has been shown to cause liver disease apart from it affecting the neurological pathways of organisms (WHO, 2015). Some of the metals contained in the electronic devices that end up in dumping sites (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). These metals are reactive when they get in contact with water (WHO, 2015). They result into fires that are difficult to extinguish and release toxic chemicals that lead to acid rain (Pinto, 2008). The landfills where these electronic wastes are disposed have been shown to release is the sulphur compounds, toxic fumes, and low level ozone compounds that are the major components of smog. Smog has significantly high impact on the life of plants and organisms in their different ecosystems and to its worst causing respiratory problems to people (WHO, 2015). The result of this has been death and shift in ecological niches leading to conflicts (Pinto, 2008). Soil fertility is also an issue that affects the environment as nearly all the components of electronic wastes are not biodegradable (Johri & Energy and Resources Institute, 2008). The acidic based components increase the acidity of the coils making it inhabitable by organisms and thus loss of biodiversity. Organizations and Companies Reducing Electronic waste In different parts of the world, there are different bodies and networks that have been formed to deal with the issue of electronic wastes. Additionally, there are also international bodies that deal with the same agenda. Pinto (2008) opines that within India there are some networks that have such a mandate of handling electronic waste. National Solid Waste Association of India is a leading not-for-profit organization that deals with solid electronic waste management inclusive of the hazardous and toxic as well as biomedical wastes (Pinto, 2008). The organization was formed in 1996 and oversees the development of solid waste management through professional training and development and research. The organization also oversees standards and good practices in solid waste management (Pinto, 2008). The organization has also succeeded in developing legislations that enable communities participate in waste management at the local levels (Pinto, 2008). The organization also renders advice as well as consultancy in the jurisdiction of solid waste management. Through innovation and invention the organization has succeeded in the reduction of the impacts of solid electronic waste through development of alternative and clean sources of energy. The other organization that is notable in India is Toxic Link which is based in Delhi and falls under the category of environmental activist group (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). The organization mission is to work for environmental justice and freedom from toxic substances. The organization creates awareness through publications, articles, reports, periodicals and bulletins that bear environmental related issues news (Pinto, 2008). This organization also does collection from consumers at designated points and effectively manage the solid electronic waste (Pinto, 2008). The organization has fourteen collection bins where the public can safely dispose the gadgets they are no longer using. The organization also has studies on the environmental impacts and material flow study. The organization acts as a watchdog for those companies that breach the set e-waste disposal and management strategies. The organization also trains the informal WEEE recyclers on best and formal practices (Pinto, 2008). Internationally, there are two major bodies with fame worldwide on electronic waste management advocacy. These are Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and Basel Action Network (BAN). Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition was established in 1982 and is located in California. The organization engages in advocacy and research (Pinto, 2008). The key driving factor of the organization is the rise in the number of health and environmental problems as a result of the increase in high-technology electronics industry and demand as well (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). The coalition has been involved in resourceful research to uncover the harmful effects of e-waste (Pinto, 2008). Additionally, the organization also links with the community, manufacturers, and policy makers to increase the levels of awareness and performance of the electronic manufactures with the protection of the environment agenda as the driving power (Pinto, 2008). The Basel Action Network on the other hand is an international network of toxics and activist organizations that champion for the justice of the international environment (Luther & Library of Congress, 2009). The body oversees the transactions in the electronics industry so as to eliminate the amount of toxic wastes, products and technologies (Pinto, 2008). The main agenda of the organization is to network with various stakeholders thus eliminating toxic chemical crisis resulting from electronic waste. Conclusion The rise in the number of consumers demanding electronic waste all over the world has made it possible for the manufacturers to increase their production rates to meet the growing demand. Most of the appliances and devices used in homes today have a short life cycle. This would mean that the rate at which they become obsolete is very high. Consequently, there has been a rise in the volume of electronic waste in the whole world. The developing nations that depend on technological support from the developed nations have so far been linked with much electronic wastes. There are various impacts of electronic wastes on the environment both positive and negative as have been discussed in this paper. a number of bodies both at national and international levels have formed so as to reduce the impacts of solid electronic waste which have negative consequences on the environment. Bibliography Herat, S. 2011, April 5, “Major Threats from E-Waste: Current Generation and Impacts: Chem Views Magazine: Chemistry Views”. Retrieved from http://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/1037973/Major_Threats_From_E-Waste_Current_Generation_And_Impacts.html Johri, R., & Energy and Resources Institute. 2008, “E-waste: Implications, regulations, and management in India and current global best practices. New Delhi: Energy and Resources Institute. Luther, L., & Library of Congress. 2009, “Managing electronic waste: Issues with exporting e-waste”. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. Pinto, V. N. 2008, “E-waste hazard: The impending challenge”. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 12(2), 65–70. doi:10.4103/0019-5278.43263 WHO. (2015). “WHO | Electronic waste”. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/ceh/risks/ewaste/en/ Read More