Environmental Impacts of Cellular Phone - Literature review Example

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF CELLULAR PHONE Introduction Mobile phones have become a part and parcel of human’s life. With the advancement of technology, there is a mobile phone in at least all households and each individual member of a household might just be having one. Moreover the high rate at which technology is changing especially in the field of mobile phones; there are those individuals who could be having more than one mobile phone due to the urge to do an upgrade. Further, some old mobile phones could just be lying somewhere around the house not being utilized either because it is damaged or they feel it is of an old model. As such, the number of mobile phones in the hands of people might just be more than can be imagined. What do people do with the mobile phones that lie around? How do people dispose the ones that they no longer use? What effect do these mobile phones have on the environment? These are some of the fundamental questions around the issue of mobile phones and their implications on the environment. It is definitely true that the mobile phones have a significant effect on the environment and to human health, however what is it that needs to be done in relation to this? Therefore, this paper seeks to give a bit of literature review on the environmental impacts of cellular phones; do an analysis of their actual environmental impacts; discuss how the environmental impacts of the cellular phones can be mitigated in the context of sustainable development. Finally the paper will do a summery conclusion on the environmental impacts of cellular phones. Literature review As a focus is drawn on the environmental impacts of cellular or mobile phones, it is important to look at the environment in totality. This will enable a proper understanding of the implication of this communication technology device on our environment. Therefore, what is environment? Environment can be simply understood as the sum total of all the things around someone or something. Technically it can be understood as the sum total of all the surroundings of living organisms which are providing the conditions for growth, development, damage and even danger. It can also be a complex of biotic, chemical and physical factors that determine the form and survival of a living organism through acting upon it. This last definition explains it perfect. Therefore environmental impacts in this case shall be those that are in relation to the environment as per described above. However, we cannot talk about the environment without thinking sustainable development. As technological advancement take place, development occurs as well as growth. This development in the communication sector that can be experienced as a result of cellular phones manufacturing, sales, use and disposal should thus take place in a sustainable manner. But what is this sustainable development? Dempsey, Bramley, Power, & Brown, (2011,pg.78) discusses: sustainable development is that kind of development that will meet the needs of the present and not compromise the ability of the generations in the future to meet their needs. Sustainable development is therefore that process that will achieve sustainability in the utilization of resources to meet the immediate needs or demand as an intergenerational replication. It coincides with economic growth and human development. It is thus the principle of organizing for sustaining limited resources that are essential in providing for the future generation’s need to sustain life. It envisions a desirable state in the future for humans and their society such that the conditions for resource use as well as of living can continuously meet their needs without undermining stability and beauty of the nature Dempsey, et al, (2011,pg.68) further explains: sustainable development as concept that maintains productivity indefinitely has its origin in the sustainable management of forests that were developed during the seventeenth and eighteenth century in Europe. The origin and history of this concept can be well understood through focusing on the United Nations progress with the concept. The UN conference held in 1972 in Stockholm on Human Environment brought together the industrialized and developing nation to delineate the rights that humans and their families have to a productive and healthy environment. In the 1980, IUCN did a publication of the conservation strategy of the world. This emphasized on the fertility and productivity of the planet to be safeguarded. Come the year 1982 which is 10 years later after IUCN’s publication, World Charter for Nature initiative was established which advocated for uninterrupted functions of nature and recognized man as a part of nature. Later in 1983, the world commission on environment and development reaffirmed the concept of environment through weaving together social, cultural, economic and environmental issues and their global solutions. It stressed that environment should not be looked at in isolation but rather as a complex of social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. Come the year 1992, a conference on environment and development took pace Rio De Janerio and the concept of sustainable development gained weight where Agenda 21 was borne as an action for strengthening sustainable development among other steps. Following this conference various other conferences and talks have occurred in relation to sustainable development to safeguard the environment or the earth in general. But what is the meaning of sustainable development. As we seek to understand the environmental impacts of cellular phones, a deep understanding of sustainable development will provide the linkages of activities and how they contribute to environmental issues. First, sustainable development talks about the needs of the present (Dempsey, et al 2011, pg.59). What are these needs? In the case of cellular phones, the needs are communication and access to information which is through the internet use. At the same time having a healthy and productive environment is a need. Therefore an assessment of these two needs gives a conflict. The cellular phones as electronic waste pollute the environment among other effects that shall be discussed here. But there is the felt need by people to communicate and must use the phones. As such how do they make sure that they meet their needs (communication) without causing environmental impacts? How then do we decide which need is to be met? Is it the need for communication or that of a healthy environment? From this dilemma we thus need to analyze the long and the short of the situation. This means there is need to strike a balance. Sustainable development supporters will suggest a balance of all the economic, social as well as the environmental objectives, in which case the ability of the future generation to meet their needs will not be compromised (Dempsey, et al 2011, pg.45). Therefore, when making decisions regarding the technological advancement that lead to production of cell phones, use and disposal, the social, economic and environmental aspect of the device should be taken in to consideration. The various objectives raised will give an understanding of how the development of a technological device like cellular phone can be made sustainable. This is the point: in the production of the device should be done in a manner that does not affect negatively the environment, it distribution as well must not harm the environment and the use too. The disposable of the product after use should also be checked to ensure recycling or reuse and where necessary safe disposals. This concept of sustainable development has looked at the entire life cycle of the communication device – cellular phones. Additionally when a proper decision making that strikes a balance between the need for clean environment and that of communication is achieved we say the development is sustainable. This is the meaning of sustainable development in the concept of cellular phones and their implications on the environment. Dempsey, et al (2011, pg.81) further adds: sustainable business will thus be understood as that business venture that has minimal or low negative impacts on the environment. It is sometimes referred to as green business. This is because of its strife to meet the triple bottom line. These types of enterprise have progressive environmental policies as well as those of human rights. As such, it incorporates sustainability principles in it operations; supplies products that are environmentally friendly; and is committed to environmental principles. Analysis of the environmental impacts of cellular phones Cellular phones are simply those phones that make and receive calls via a radio link through a wide geographical area. Other services also offer by the modern cell phones include: internet services, photography, radio, text messaging, emails, multimedia messaging among the other numerous services enabled by different mobile applications (Ying, 2012, pg.33). However, this mobile phones or cellular phone for that matter have various environmental impacts which can be analyzed through their life cycle from production, distribution, use and disposal (Glasson, Therivel, & Chadwick, 2013, pg.44). Production stage During the manufacturing stage of mobile phones certain resources are made use of. Mattila, Judl, & Seppälä, (2014, pg.64) discusses: the manufacturing chain bears the bulk of carbon foot prints. It is proven that more carbon is actually used in the manufacture of cellular phones than is used when the consumers have bought them. Manufacturing an ordinary cellular phone produces an estimate of 16kg of equivalent carbon (IV) oxide emission. Consider the average cellular phone use length and the outcome is 22kg within 2 years. Additionally the footprints in the transmition of calls are three times the entire manufacturing one which when put together give a sum total of 94kg CO2. Distribution During the distribution of cellular phones, any accidental damage can lead to toxic leaching. This is because of the materials used in their manufacturing which include mercury and lead among other hard metals. Lead has a history of an effect in loss of biodiversity, decreased reproductive rates as well as causing neurological effects in vertebrates. Consumption With this respect, one phone estimated to last 2 years. An environmental report published by Apple indicates the greenhouse emissions during manufacturing, assembling, distribution and use as well as recycling and transmition of calls to be 55Kg CO2e for the I Phone 4 brands, 70Kgs for 5s and 60Kgs CO2e for 5Cs. As a way of reducing carbon emission due to call transmition, one is encouraged to text than call and as such low emissions are experienced. The radio frequency radiation during texting and calling is further a risk exposure to humans. The radiations leaked by the mobile phones during use can cause salivary tumors as well as tumor of the brain Disposal The cellular phones further cause a lot of damage and deteriorations of the environment. When disposed, the cellular phones leak dangerous chemicals in to the environment since they are made of toxic metals and chemicals among them lead, mercury, cadmium, Polyvinylchloride and others (Jing-ying, Xiu-Li, & Wen-quan, 2012, pg.75). During disposal these chemicals and hard metal that are toxic find their way in to the environment polluting it. Even though a single cellular phone may have just a little of this toxic chemicals and metals, the cumulative effect given the population that is churning out old or spoilt mobile phones is high. Raw Materials Additionally, these mobile phones are not biodegradable. When the recycling to preserve the resources that are valuable from them is not done, these materials that include plastic chaises contribute to landfills (Kasper, Berselli, Freitas, Tenório, Bernardes, & Veit, 2011, pg.32). These plastics and other mobile phone components can take over 1000 years to break down. During the cell phones use and even manufactory, a lot of energy is used as well as some virgin materials which contribute immensely to the release of green house gasses responsible for climate change. An estimate 90% of these gases can be reduced merely by recycling these mobile phones (Kasper et al, 2011, pg.89). Environmental Impact Assessment Techniques The following environmental impact assessment techniques can be used to minimize the environmental impacts of cellular phones. First is Life cycle assessment. (Sadhukhan, Ng, S, & Hernandez, 2014, pg.54) explains: this is a technique that is used to assess environmental aspects as well as the potential impacts that are associated with a given product, service or process. This technique involves: compilation of relevant energy use, material input as well as environmental releases; evaluation of potential impacts on the environment as a result of the inputs and releases identified above; and interpretation of the outcomes to inform decision making. The phases involved in conducting a life cycle assessment include defining the goal and scope, analyzing the inventory, assessing the impacts then ultimately making a decision. This Life cycle assessment as a technique can be used to analyze the environmental impacts of the cellular phone from manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal. It therefore will give results that are critical in informing the impacts at various stages and thus can be used in making decisions on how to reduce or manage the impacts. Cost benefit analysis involve deciding quantitatively before going ahead. Dwyer, L. (2012,pg.63) outlines: it is simply a process of weighing the cost of a project as well as its benefit in order to make a determination as to whether one can move on with it. This tool can be used in analyzing the environmental impacts of the cellular phones in the manner that, the costs or the damage on the environment in relation to the benefits of having the cellular phone can be compared. This will help inform decision making on whether the type of cellular phones in the market have their benefits outweighing the costs. Various steps exist on how to use this tool. They include: step 1, brainstorming of the costs and the benefits. In this level, all the costs associated with the cell phone are considered at all stages. The benefits are also considered in a similar manner. This is done with a consideration of the life time of the cellular phones. Step 2: monetary value is assigned to the cost. These include the cost incurred on the physical resources used, distribution use and the cost of repairing the environmental damage caused by the product. Step 3 involves assigning monetary value to the products benefits. This involves the revenues generated as well as other benefits accrued in the communication facilitated by the cellular phones. Step 4, the costs and benefits are then compared in terms of their monetary value to make a decision. This process will therefore reveal whether the cost of the products outweigh the benefits or vice versa. As such a decision can be made concerning the production of the communication device in which case is the cellular phones. Environmental audit is another technique that can be used to assess the environmental impacts of cellular phones. Glasson, Therivel, & Chadwick, (2013, pg.21) discusses: environmental audit is therefore a tool that can be used to quantify the environmental performance as well as position of an organization. This can be understood in the context of the cellular phone manufactures. Three types of environmental audits exists that can be used to assess a cellular phone production company, they include: environmental compliance audits, audits for environmental management; and functional environmental audits which may include water, energy, and other material resources. These audits are important due to the various benefits they have which include: ensuring manufacturers of cellular phones compliance to environmental laws; cellular phone manufactures become environmentally responsible; cellular phone manufactures understand the environmental interactions of their products and services; improving environmental performance of the manufacturing companies and understanding as well as implementing ISO 14001 EMS. Environmental auditing will thus enable the cellular phone manufacturers assess the financial advantages as well as disadvantages of adopting policies that are environmentally sound. Consequently, the damaging effects of their products will be in check and as such reduced. Another tool that is equally important is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). According to Glasson, Therivel, & Chadwick, (2013, pg.36) this tool is designed to enable prediction and identification of impacts of projects on the environment as well as on human’s health and well being. Further, it interprets and communicates the impacts, analyses prospect alternatives and provides mitigation options to the likely negative consequence. For any industrial project an environmental impact assessment is very necessary. Therefore, a cell phone production/ manufacturing company can use Environmental impact assessment as a tool to avoid the likely environmental disturbances or negative impacts. This tool ensures that the impacts on the environment by a given project are addressed during the planning phase and as such it is very proactive. Therefore the viability of a project based on the environmental impacts can be evaluated and a decision made on whether to take it on or do away with it. Before manufacturers begin the manufacturing process of any mobile phones in any given area, there is need for them to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment to assess the viability of the project in relation to environmental impacts. The EIA will contain: a summary of the project; project description; scoping and screening; description of the environment where the project exists; analysis of the alternatives and the basis for selection of alternatives; issues of environmental concern about the project; mitigation measures; and an environmental management plan. When all this is done on a project, the implications opf the project (in our case cellular phone manufacturing) on the environment can be predicted and mitigated. Potential threats to the environment can be anticipated in time and as such solutions provided. Evaluating these tools therefore can reveal their importance in addressing the environmental impacts of cellular phones. All this four tools are very important when addressing this environmental issue. However a critical evaluation will identify two of them as being vital. That is, environmental impact assessment as a proactive measure, and life cycle assessment as a tool that examines the full life cycle of the cellular phones. The two when done can immensely reduce the environmental impacts of the cellular phones and as such the development in that sector can be sustainable. Mitigating Environmental Impacts Environmental impacts of cellular phones needs to be mitigated rather than corrected. This is because the cost of mitigation as a proactive measure and the implication is less than that of reversing the damage already caused. However in order for an effective mitigation of these environmental impacts, there is need for partnerships that bring together all the stakeholders in the cellular phone use. This includes the manufactures who should be encouraged to use the environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a tool which is proactive to predict the dangers and provide solutions to them (Glasson, et al, 2013, pg.43). Further the manufacturers should conduct a life cycle assessment of the cellular phones to understand the environmental impacts on various stages and mitigate them. Additionally, other stake holders like government should enforce polices and formulate laws that govern this sector to ensure accountability. This is to ensure that those who cause environmental damages bare the cost of reversing or correcting the damages- polluter pay principle. Other actors like the Non Governmental Organization should act as watchdogs for the environment, provide environmental education and awareness and play a role in informing policy formulation towards mitigating environmental effects of these cellular phones (Welford, 2013,pg.65). Other measures should include ensuring compliance to the environmental laws and fines imposed on those who cause environmental damage. Use of technology should also be encourage in the production especially to reduce waste and lower consumption of resources such as physical resources for manufacturing, energy consumption among others. Appropriate technology will come in hand to reduce the environmental damage of cellular phones and as such contribute towards sustainable business and development Regulatory frameworks have contributed immensely in reducing environmental impacts of cellular phones. This includes regulations such as CE marking which ensures products are complying with the European Commission Safety, health as well as environmental requirements. This has ensured that the manufactures has carried out conformity assessment on their products. This implies, the products in the market are compliant with the environmental laws and standards that have been put in place. Therefore, regulatory frameworks contribute a lot to reduction of environmental impacts of these products and should be embraced as a mitigation strategy. Other options existing are implementation of ISO 14001: 2004 which sets the tools that can be used for environmental management system. It involves mapping out a framework which companies and organizations can use to identify bas well as control their impacts on the environment and improve their environmental performance. This tool can be used to the costs for waste management within an organization; save energy consumption and other materials; lower accompanies cost of distribution; and subsequently improve cooperate image of an organization among the public, customers and even the regulators. Conclusion It is therefore definite that cellular phones have serious environmental impacts and as measure should be taken to minimize them. This paper has therefore found out that the following are some of the environmental impacts of cellular phones: carbon foot prints where the carbon emitted by the cell phone manufacturing process contributes a lot to green house gases; intoxication through leakages from disposed mobile phone which contain, mercury, cadmium, lead among other hard metals and chemicals; and plastic wastes that are non-biodegradable and form landfill; high energy consumption in production; and even littering of the surrounding caused by the disposed cellular phones. However, these impacts are harmful to the environment and therefore should be minimized. They can be alleviated through the following: regulatory frameworks that prevent the harmful effects; use of tools like environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, life cycle assessment, and cost benefit analysis. Further institutionalizing ISO 14001 for environmental system management will contribute towards mitigating these impacts of cellular phone s on the environment. Proper enforcement of environmental laws or laws that recognize and include the use of the above mentioned tools as well as effective enforcement will go a long way in ensuring that the negative environmental implications of cellular phones are mitigated. Further, the stakeholders in the production, distribution and use of the cellular phones should be brought together towards a common goal which is mitigating the impacts of cellular phones on the environment. The above mentioned steps if taken in to consideration will ensure a development in the sector of cellular phones production and use. Reference Dempsey, N., Bramley, G., Power, S., & Brown, C. 2011. The social dimension of sustainable development: Defining urban social sustainability. Sustainable Development, 19(5), 289-300. Dwyer, L. (2012). Cost-benefit analysis. Chapters. Glasson, J., Therivel, R., & Chadwick, A. 2013. INTRO TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSES. Routledge. Jing-ying, L., Xiu-Li, X., & Wen-quan, L. 2012. Thiourea leaching gold and silver from the printed circuit boards of waste mobile phones. Waste management, 32(6), 1209-1212. Kasper, A. C., Berselli, G. B., Freitas, B. D., Tenório, J. A., Bernardes, A. M., & Veit, H. M. 2011. Printed wiring boards for mobile phones: characterization and recycling of copper. Waste management, 31(12), 2536-2545. Mattila, T., Judl, J., & Seppälä, J. 2014. Carbon Footprint of Mobile Devices: Open Questions in Carbon Footprinting of Emerging Mobile ICT Technologies. In Assessment of Carbon Footprint in Different Industrial Sectors, Volume 1 (pp. 151-166). Springer Singapore. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K. S., & Hernandez, E. M. 2014. Life Cycle Assessment. Biorefineries and Chemical Processes: Design, Integration and Sustainability Analysis, 93-146. Welford, R. (Ed.). 2013. Hijacking environmentalism: Corporate responses to sustainable development. Routledge. Ying, Z. (2012). Antennas in cellular phones for mobile communications. Proceedings of the IEEE, 100(7), 2286-2296. Read More