Electronic WasteElectronic Waste

By: Gurpinder Bhangu, Peter Gao, Sanjana Kambalapally, Amarpreet Kaur, Digvijay

Makawana, Gajan Santhrieswaran and Raksha Sule

BackgroundBackground- Electronics?

- Fast growing industry- Technological development for many purposes- What happens when devices become outdated?

- E-waste?- Discarded products- Very little properly recycled- Environmental hazard

Chemicals in E-WasteChemicals in E-Wasteand the Implicationsand the Implications

Harmful chemicals include:- Lead - Cadmium- Mercury - Arsenic

Valuable Minerals:- Gold - Zinc - Copper

- Chart of waste products is shown to the right- Many hazardous chemicals shown- May leak into soil

Chemicals of E-WasteChemicals of E-Waste

Human Health Issues Due to Chemicals Human Health Issues Due to Chemicals Inside of Electronic ProductInside of Electronic Product

Item Produce AffectSolder Lead (Pb) Nervous sys

Switches/PCBs Mercury (Hg) Brain, Skin

Protective layers Chromium (Cr) DNA, Bronchoitis

Plastic Hsg Bromine (Br) Endocrine

CRT(Front Pnl) Barium (Ba) Heart, Lever, Muscles

Mother Boards Beryllium (Be) Lung cancer, Skin

www.tematelecom.net/upload_images/296e-waste-hcsoni.ppt

Workers who dismantle electronics can suffer from• Cancer• Reproductive problems• Immune system problems• DNA mutations

DNA is affected because of POP interaction with the DNA structure• Disease and premature aging.

Studies done in China show that the area surrounding the factories that disassemble electronics as well as the dust and air within the factories contain traces of pollutants that are harmful to the DNA of workers

Damage done to the worker’s DNA is similar to that of cancer patients

Processed by means of open burning• Allows chemicals to leak into air, affecting the respiratory system• Flame retardants and dioxins released

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)• chemicals that exist in environment• affect food chain and eventually human beings

WHERE DOES E-WASTEWHERE DOES E-WASTESTAND IN TODAY’S WORLD?STAND IN TODAY’S WORLD?

So where does it stand?So where does it stand?1. E-waste is sent to developing

countries.2. People don’t pay attention to laws

enforced by government.3. New electronic products add to

more e-waste.4. Alternate electronic goods are not

popular.

Exploitation of Developing CountiesExploitation of Developing Counties Countries of North America send their e-waste to developing countries.

• Recycling is costly.• To escape from the effects

80% of the world's high-tech trash ends up in Asia and Africa. Manufacturers should be responsible for their products by take back

programs.

Waste DiversionWaste Diversion Waste Diversion Act in Ontario and laws are enforced

in U.S. and some European countries.

Switzerland has been successfully operating an e-waste management system for more than 15 years.

Government and some companies aware but people don’t pay attention and end-up in not sending back their waste electronics.

Design and FameDesign and Fame

New electronic goods attract consumers and they throw away their old electronics.

Some companies design their products in such a way that they stop working after sometime.

New ProductsNew Products

Electronic products which are environmentally friendly are not famous.

Public awareness programs must be organized.

Such new products must be advertized more.

Where doesWhere doesE-Waste go?E-Waste go?

Different DestinationsDifferent Destinations Landfill Incinerators Export Reuse Recycle

E-Waste Disposal Options/ Implications E-Waste Disposal Options/ Implications

Disposal OptionEnvironmental/ Human Health

Implications

LandfillsLandfills- When electronics are thrown out, many end up When electronics are thrown out, many end up

in landfillsin landfills

- More than 4.6 million tons of e-waste ended up More than 4.6 million tons of e-waste ended up in U.S. landfills in 2000in U.S. landfills in 2000

- In many European countries, regulations have In many European countries, regulations have been introduced to prevent electronic waste been introduced to prevent electronic waste

being dumped in landfillsbeing dumped in landfills- However, the practice still continues in However, the practice still continues in

many countries. many countries.

- In Hong Kong, it is estimated that 10-20 percent - In Hong Kong, it is estimated that 10-20 percent of discarded computers go to landfillof discarded computers go to landfill

- Very major threat to the - Very major threat to the environmentenvironment

- Problematic because the chemicals - Problematic because the chemicals can leach into soils and water can leach into soils and water

LandfillsLandfills

StatisticsStatistics UN estimates 50 Tonnes of

E-waste are displaced each year

According to Environment Canada, 140 000 tonnes of e-waste are dumped in landfills annually.

Out of this 140 000 tonnes of e-waste, there are about 130 million cell phones and 50 million computer monitors found

Disposal Option Environmental/Health Issue

IncinerationIncineration (burning) (burning)

- - Most electronics contain heavy metals Most electronics contain heavy metals which are toxic when burnedwhich are toxic when burned

- Highly toxic fumes are released from - Highly toxic fumes are released from heavy metals to the airheavy metals to the air

- Causes respiratory and skin problems- Causes respiratory and skin problems

- Causes air pollution and adds to the Causes air pollution and adds to the green house gases issuegreen house gases issue

- These toxins bioaccumulate in the food These toxins bioaccumulate in the food chain particularly in fish chain particularly in fish

- The major route of exposure for the - The major route of exposure for the general publicgeneral public

Disposal Options Continued Environmental/ Human Health Implications Continued

ReuseReuse - Electronics are shipped to developing Electronics are shipped to developing

countries for them to usecountries for them to use- The life span of electronics can be The life span of electronics can be

increased by reusing but it’s only increased by reusing but it’s only negligiblenegligible

- 25%-75% of electronics that are - 25%-75% of electronics that are shipped off to developing nations are shipped off to developing nations are

obsoleteobsolete

- Obsolete products end up in landfills Obsolete products end up in landfills resulting in environmental problemsresulting in environmental problems

- Many of the electronics shipped off are Many of the electronics shipped off are sometimes not properly taken apartsometimes not properly taken apart

- People in developing nations are exposed People in developing nations are exposed to toxic chemicals remaining in the product to toxic chemicals remaining in the product

- Causes many human health problems- Causes many human health problems

Disposal Option Environmental/Health Implication

RecyclingRecycling

- In developed countries, electronics In developed countries, electronics recycling takes place in purpose-built recycling takes place in purpose-built

recycling plants under controlled recycling plants under controlled conditionsconditions

- In many European countries for - In many European countries for example, plastics from e-waste are not example, plastics from e-waste are not recycled to avoid toxins being released recycled to avoid toxins being released

into the atmosphereinto the atmosphere

- Recycling can be a good way to reuse the Recycling can be a good way to reuse the raw materials in a productraw materials in a product

- Hazardous chemicals in e-waste can Hazardous chemicals in e-waste can harm workers in the recycling yards, as harm workers in the recycling yards, as well as their neighboring communities well as their neighboring communities

and environment. and environment.

- In developing countries, most recycling - In developing countries, most recycling is done by hand in scrap yards, often done is done by hand in scrap yards, often done

by children by children

E-waste is routinely exported by developed countries to developing ones• Often in violation of the international law

Inspections of 18 European seaports in 2005 found as much as 47 percent of waste destined for export, including e-waste, was illegal

In the United States, it is estimated that 50-80 percent of the waste collected for recycling is being exported in this way.

Workers in developing countries most greatly effected

ExportExport

ExportExport

Asia receives the most e-waste from developed countries.

Lack of hazardous waste facilities.

Many young children work at these scrap yards.

Lack of proper healthcare.

E-waste is either reused, recycled or trashed (landfills or incineration).

Future Problems ofFuture Problems ofElectronic WasteElectronic Waste

FactsFacts Estimated 2.3 million tonnes of discarded electronic

products are sent to landfills and incinerators in the United States every year.

Waste is harmful to groundwater and air• Cause for defects in birth, illnesses and death with

many compounds such as mercury, lead and zinc

Africa’s Electronic Waste BattleAfrica’s Electronic Waste Battle

Working with HP (Hewlett Packard), Africa started to implement more effective recycling of electronic waste

After a survey was done of the country’s situation, the funds were determined and the project began

This took place back in 2007, and at the time the European Environmental Agency stated that electronic waste was growing faster than any other type of waste

On the HP website, it states that their project has had some encouraging results

The project processed an estimated 60 tonnes of unnecessary electronic equipment from February 2008 to November 2008

Africa’s Electronic Waste Battle Cont.Africa’s Electronic Waste Battle Cont. All this was used to create employment for many young

adults around the age of 19 and also an approximate $14,000 For the future, HP says that their project can continue

• In a year, the 3,000 tonnes of e-waste that is created could increase to 9,000 tonnes

• This would only create employment, but also provide a sustainable solution for tackling this critical environmental problem

• Provides more education for working with technology and electronic equipment for the residents of Africa

• Creates visually appealing products such as wall art, clocks and jewellery

Africa’s Electronic Waste Battle Cont.Africa’s Electronic Waste Battle Cont. This projects stands to be very impressive Workers learning about new technology They are also creating a more eco-friendly community for

themselves HP, as the leader of this project, has tackled a huge problem By starting in a developing country, other countries will also

begin to take the initiative Helping Africa to resolve any future problems that may arise

from improper electronic waste recycling is an effective way to prevent excessive illnesses and effects on the developing country as they may be more critical than other first-world countries.

Built-In ProblemsBuilt-In Problems

What usually makes electronic equipment safe to use can cause problems if discarded carelessly

Many TVs are made using cathode-rays and computer monitors have enormous amounts of lead built into the glass• This stops stray radiation from escaping• These can shatter and the dangerous amounts of lead go

into the ground and the water table

Built-In Problems Cont.Built-In Problems Cont. Many computer chips contain semiconductors that are made

of various poisons such as gallium arsenide, cadmium and beryllium and mercury

PVC is used in plastic coatings on wires and cables• Commonly known as a carcinogen

When these products are burned, or incinerated, they release toxic substances into the atmosphere

If they are thrown into the water or landfills, they release the same poisons into the land, and again the water table

Effect on Human HealthEffect on Human Health

The effect of lead on the human body is extremely dangerous• Even the smallest amount can cause problems such as

vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, coma or even death

Ongoing exposure is very harmful for infants and children• Exposure may lead to lead poisoning, kidney problems, etc

An increased amount of drinking water will be contaminated with lead• Despite filtration

Effect on Human Health Cont.Effect on Human Health Cont. All toxic substances have a dangerous and harmful effect on

the human body

Many chemicals are easily ingested

Bioaccumulation may begin to occur in contaminated areas

A carcinogen, an agent that can contribute to the development of cancer, may become present• Ex. PCV

Effect on Human Health Cont.Effect on Human Health Cont. An excess of mercury in the atmosphere and water can cause

problems in the future• Women feeding milk to newborns• Brain and kidney damage in adults.

Beryllium is known to cause an acute or chronic disease affecting the lungs.

Cadmium, another carcinogen and excessive exposure leads to kidney and bone damage

HOW CAN ELECTRONIC HOW CAN ELECTRONIC POLLUTION BE STOPPED ?POLLUTION BE STOPPED ?

E-Waste PreventionE-Waste Prevention• Recycle

Electronics can be broken down into their individual pieces

Plastic, glass and metal are recycledHazardous materials are disposed

• Reuse / Donate / SellGive away unneeded electronicsDonate the electronic to a charitySell their electronics so another individual may use it

• Download softwareSometimes software is cheaper onlineEvery year 1,000,000,000 CDs are discarded

Laptops vs. Desktops• Laptops use 50% less energy than desktops3• US can cut down energy costs by about $2.5 million if everyone

used a laptop

Using sleep mode on computers• Change the settings on a computer so that when it is not being

used, it goes into sleep mode• This could save about $75 per year.

Answering Machines vs. Voice mail: • Voice mail uses a lot less energy than answering machines• Answering machines end up as hazardous waste• Voicemail does not

E-Waste Prevention Cont.E-Waste Prevention Cont.

Programs that ProhibitPrograms that ProhibitProduction of E-Wastes Production of E-Wastes

Two international environmental groups• Basel Action Network (BAN)• Electronics TakeBook Coalition

launched programs that prohibit shipping toxic e-waste overseas.

Canada• Electronic Product Stewardship Canada

recycle and re-use of items computers and televisions

• Information Technology Association of Canada a fee on products to ensure proper disposal $20 - $25

ConclusionConclusion Electronic waste is a challenging growing problem

throughout the world

Consumers and markets need to understand the many implications of E-Waste

Information about how the chemicals are hazardous towards humans and the environment need to be stressed

Reusing and recycling methods need to be further improved

Electronic waste has now evolved into a growing issue and must be correctly acted upon to reduce.

One can not save the world, One can not save the world, but one can contribute to but one can contribute to

help save it by doing all of the help save it by doing all of the little things one can. little things one can.

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