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Environment
Electronic Waste:
Major Environmental Problem
by Pankaj Prasun
 E-waste is a
popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their
"useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax
machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be
reused, refurbished, or recycled. Unfortunately, electronic discards is
one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste stream.
Debate continues over the distinction between "commodity" and "waste"
electronics definitions. Some exporters may deliberately leave obsolete
or non-working equipment mixed in loads of working equipment (through
ignorance, or to avoid more costly treatment processes for 'bad'
equipment). On the other hand, some importing countries specifically
seek to exclude working or repairable equipment in order to protect
domestic manufacturing markets. "White box" computers ('off-brand' or
'no name' computers) are often assembled by smaller scale manufacturers
utilizing refurbished components. These 'white box' sales accounted for
approximately 45% of all computer sales worldwide by 2004, and are
considered a threat to some large manufacturers, who therefore seek to
classify used computers as 'waste'.
While a protectionist may broaden the definition of "waste" electronics,
the high value of working and reusable laptops, computers, and
components (e.g. RAM), can help pay the cost of transportation for a
large number of worthless "commodities". Broken monitors, obsolete
circuit boards, short circuited transistors, and other junk are
difficult to spot in a container load of used electronics.
Until such time as equipment no longer contains such hazardous
substances, the disposal and recycling operations must be undertaken
with great care to avoid damaging pollution and workplace hazards, and
exports need to be monitored to avoid "toxics along for the ride".
Problems
If treated
properly, electronic waste is a valuable source for secondary raw
materials. However, if not treated properly, it is a major source of
toxins and carcinogens. Rapid technology change, low initial cost and
planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast growing problem around the
globe. Technical solutions are available but in most cases a legal
framework, a collection system, logistics and other services need to be
implemented before a technical solution can be applied. Electronic waste
represents 2 percent of America's trash in landfills, but it equals 70
percent of overall toxic waste.
Due to lower environmental standards and working conditions in China,
India, Kenya, and elsewhere, electronic waste is being sent to these
countries for processing – in most cases illegally. Guiyu in the Shantou
region of China, and Delhi and Bangalore in India, all have electronic
waste processing areas. Uncontrolled burning, disassembly, and disposal
are causing environmental and health problems, including occupational
safety and health effects among those directly involved, due to the
methods of processing the waste. Trade in electronic waste is controlled
by the Basel Convention.
Electronic waste is of concern largely due to the toxicity and
carcinogenicity of some of the substances if processed improperly. Toxic
substances in electronic waste may include lead, mercury and cadmium.
Carcinogenic substances in electronic waste may include polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs). A typical computer monitor may contain more than 6%
lead by weight, much of which is in the lead glass of the CRT.
Capacitors, transformers, PVC insulated wires, PVC coated components
that were manufactured before 1977 often contain dangerous amounts of
polychlorinated biphenyls.[4] Up to thirty-eight separate chemical
elements are incorporated into electronic waste items. The
un-sustainability of discarding electronics and computer technology is
another reason for the need to recycle – or perhaps more practically,
reuse – electronic waste.
Electronic waste processing systems have matured in recent years
following increased regulatory, public, and commercial scrutiny, and a
commensurate increase in entrepreneurial interest. Part of this
evolution has involved greater diversion of electronic waste from energy
intensive, down-cycling processes (e.g. conventional recycling) where
equipment is reverted to a raw material form. This diversion is achieved
through reuse and refurbishing. The environmental and social benefits of
reuse are several: diminished demand for new products and their
commensurate requirement for virgin raw materials (with their own
environmental externalities not factored into the cost of the raw
materials) and larger quantities of pure water and electricity for
associated manufacturing, less packaging per unit, availability of
technology to wider swaths of society due to greater affordability of
products, and diminished use of landfills.
Challenges remain, when materials cannot or will not be reused,
conventional recycling or disposal via landfill often follow. Standards
for both approaches vary widely by jurisdiction, whether in developed or
developing countries. The complexity of the various items to be disposed
of, cost of environmentally sound recycling systems, and the need for
concerned and concerted action to collect and systematically process
equipment are the resources most lacked -- though this is changing. Many
of the plastics used in electronic equipment contain flame retardants.
These are generally halogens added to the plastic resin, making the
plastics difficult to recycle.
A typical electronic waste recycling plant as found in some
industrialized countries combines the best of dismantling for component
recovery with increased capacity to process large amounts of electronic
waste in a cost effective-manner. Material is fed into a hopper, which
travels up a conveyor and is dropped into the mechanical separator,
which is followed by a number of screening and granulating machines. The
entire recycling machinery is enclosed and employs a dust collection
system. The European Union, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan have already
demanded that sellers and manufacturers of electronics be responsible
for recycling 75% of them.
Many Asian countries have legislated, or will do so for electronic waste
recycling.
The United States Congress is considering a number of electronic waste
bills including the National Computer Recycling Act introduced by
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA). This bill has continually stalled,
however.
In the
meantime, several states have passed their own laws regarding electronic
waste management. California was the first state to enact such
legislation, followed by Maryland, Maine, Washington and Minnesota. More
recently, legislatures in Oregon and Texas passed their own laws.
June 13, 2008
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