ELECTRONIC WASTE PRESENTATION OUTLINE Background Problems Management and

ELECTRONIC WASTE

PRESENTATION OUTLINE • Background • Problems • Management and disposal options • The government’s responsibilities

BACKGROUND • There is no generally accepted definition of e-waste • Unwanted, obsolete or unusable electronic products such as computers, computer peripherals, televisions, VCRs, DV D Players, stereo equipment, hand cell phones are commonly referred to as ‘electronic waste’

Problems • Management and disposal of e-waste has become a serious problem among states nationwide, WHY? • The problem of electronic waste (ewaste) is growing at an unsustainable rate. • E-waste is now the fastest growing, and most toxic, component of municipal garbage. • Local governments are facing huge costs to handle e-waste, and even greater costs if they do not capture this toxic stream and handle it in an appropriate manner.

Mobile phones; facts • • Production today- 23 phones/sec Sales 2003 - 515 million Sales 2004 - 665 million Sales 2005 - 870 million Subscribers-1. 9 billion in 2005 Subscribers- 2. 6 billion in 2009 Lifespan- 0. 5 - 1. 5 (with 1 st user) (estimates from the Basel convention based study 2006)

E-waste accumulation in China

1. It is taking up valuable landfill space • A study by the USA showed that 12% of municipal waste is made up of e-waste • A further research estimates the growing of e-waste at 3 times the rate of other waste streams. • It is also estimated that between 1997 and 2007, 500 million computers would become obsolete

2. e-waste contains hazardous material • The leaching of heavy material from e-waste may a pose a potential long term human health and environmental impacts • ground Water especially is more likely to be polluted (note, more half the country reliant on ground water resources)

Of particular concern is Lead in e-waste • Lead is a toxic substances which may cause lead poisoning and can be especially harmful young children. • A typical 17 -inch computer monitor contains approximately 2. 2 pounds of lead • the 500 million computers that will become obsolete between 1997 and 2007 will contain nearly 1. 6 billion pounds of lead

Cathode ray tubes • Much of the focus of managing ewaste revolves around Cathode Ray Tubes-which converts an electronic signal into a visual image. Computer monitors, televisions, camcorders and other electronic devices contain CRT. • Atypical CRT contains between 2 and 5 pounds of lead.

Other problems • Illegal exporting especially to Asia • Uncontrolled burning and disposal are causing env problems • The toxicity of some of the substance, eg mercury, cadmium may also pose an environmental and health challenge

Management and disposal options • Due to increased public, regulatory and commercial scrutiny and also a commensurate entrepreneur interest, there has been a diversion from energy intensive down cycling processes to more mature processing systems • This has been largely achieved through reuse and refurbishing

reuse • Preventing waste in the first place is the preferred mngt option • This can be achieved through repairing, upgrading used electrical equipment • Example- adding memory to a computer, upgrading software

recycle • Make use of take back programs • Through recycling units are either reused or dismantled for recycling. • The silver, gold, lead and other heavy metal are recyclable

dispose • The least preferred option is to landfill electronic waste • This should only come as a last option but care to consult with state regulations on disposal of any hazardous waste

Benefits of reuse (social and env) • Diminished demand for new products and their commensurate requirement for virgin raw material • There is lessened need for water and energy for the associated manufacturing • Less packaging per unit • Availability of tech to wider swaths of society due to greater affordability of products • Saved landfill space

challenges • When materials cannot or will not be used, conventional recycling or disposal via landfill will follow • The complexity of the items to be disposed of • cost of env sound recycling systems

Each one of us has a role to play! • Need for a e-waste policy and legislation • Encourage and facilitate organized recycling systems • Should subsidies recycling and disposal industries • Collect fee from manufactured/consumers for the disposal of toxic material • Incentive schemes for garbage collectors and general public for collecting and handling over e-waste • Awareness programme on e-waste for school children and general public

continuation • Transparency and accountability to the public Handling large amounts of e-waste poses risks of toxic contamination to workers and surrounding communities if conducted carelessly. • Thus, the most basic criterion that employees and citizens should rightfully expect from any recycling operation is that it be open to public inspection.

continuation • General compliance with occupational health and safety standards Observance of health and safety standards in the workplace is important for protecting workers from exposure to toxics whilst handling e-waste • Well-trained workers, who are fully protected by the law to seek advice and take action to protect their health and the environment without fear of reprisal from their employer, are the most effective environmental protection.

Conclusion • it is important that we create a national framework for the environmentally sound management of e-waste including wide public awareness and education • Conduct detailed inventories of ewaste • Initiate pilot schemes on collection and sorting of e-wastes, including take back schemes and schemes for repair refurbishment and recycling

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