Electronic Waste Sustainability



Electronic Waste Sustainability

Q1

Electronic waste is becoming a new, urgent environmental problem of all mankind. The growth of this new waste is becoming an ever increasing problem, with millions of devices that become obsolete every year. While programs for recycling in the U.S., most of these computers were exported to developing countries, specifically, about 80% are used for personal and business purposes. It is expected that the generation of electronic waste will dramatically change in the next 10 years. There are numbers of researches and programs to control this problem of a growing concern. How to deal with electronic waste today, in an age of rapid growth and technological progress is a crucial question; some suggest the use of electronic waste in modern smelters that can recover precious metals from old electronic devices.

However, not every country can afford to build smelting facilities. In addition, another challenge is the difficult work of collecting unwanted electronic equipment, and sorting for recycling. Manufacturers need to have some responsibility for training specialists in waste management for the development of small equipment that can operate at the regional level, and regulate and guarantee appropriate safety and environmental control of such operations.

Ultimately, effective strategies to deal with electronic waste requires the development of local infrastructure, effective coordination of public participation and international regulation, which will encourage sustainable manufacturing practices without stifling innovation. Some of the components which may disappear from the waste stream are CRT monitors; copper wires and Rechargeable battery composition have also changed dramatically, from old Ni-Cd, to Ni metal hydrides, to Li ion batteries. Copper (Cu) is a significant portion of electronic waste stream (Aizawa, 2008).

Q2

1.Batteries

2.Mercury wastes

3.Electronic Device

4.Lead

5.Lighting Fixtures

6.Televisions

7.Monitors

8.Personal computers

In total, about 80% of U.S. e-waste and 75% of electronic waste the EU countries, is in developing countries, aggravating and without the unfavorable environmental conditions. This waste will never be recycled. Toxic substances in electronic waste (mercury, Tetrabromobisphenol a (TBBA), Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium compounds, bromine-containing flame retardant polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) will be in the environment, many of which are "dissolved" in many food chains of living organisms. The dark side of a personal computer is the massive pollution generated by its production, use and disposal. Experts in the field discussed the urgent need for coordinated international effort to further reduce the severe ecological damage (Andreola, 2007).

The data provided by two of these experts, Ruediger Kuehr and Eric Williams, are compelling ...