Journal Questions: For today’s class, frame your own journal questions on the topic, and discuss/answer them. The two obvious, easy sources for these questions are the readings you chose and the readings that others raised during the class session.
Article 1 – The Burning Truth Behind an E-Waste Dump in Africa
Millions of mobile phones, laptops, tablets, toys, digital cameras and other electronic devices bought are destined to create a flood of dangerous “e-waste” that is being dumped illegally in developing countries. The article discusses the harmful repercussions of e-waste and the environmental damage caused when trying to recycle copper from e-waste by burning the components. This article talks about a particular city in Ghana – Agbogbloshie, which holds numerous small shed holding recycling businesses’. The owners, their families and employees manually dismantle everything from automobiles to microwave ovens.
Over the last half century, technologies have been developed to do that separation in an environmentally sound manner. But even the lowest-cost solutions tend to be too expensive for Ghana’s capital-poor recyclers. And if they were affordable, green methods would still be too slow compared to setting the wire on fire and burning off the insulation.
How do you classify e-waste?
E-waste comprises of wastes generated from used electronic devices and household appliances which are not fit for their original intended use and are destined for recovery, recycling or disposal. Such wastes encompasses wide range of electrical and electronic devices such as computers, hand held cellular phones, personal stereos, including large household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners etc. E-wastes contain over 1000 different substances many of which are toxic and potentially hazardous to the environment and human health, if these are not handled in an environmentally sound manner
Why is E-Waste a big problem?
Electronic waste has become a serious cause of concern as it poses an imminent threat to the environment. The most important thing is that it is growing at an alarming rate. Rapid changes in technology is leading to an increase in volume of e-waste. Apart from the changes in technology, some other social reasons that are responsible for e-waste generation, are the increase in purchasing capacity and a wider selection of goods. This has resulted to frequent replacement of cell-phones, TV’s, tablets, resulting in a greater generation of e-waste.
Impact of E-waste on the environment:
The effects of improper disposal of this E-waste on the environment are little known; these impacts nonetheless pose very real threats and dangers to the global environment at large.
Improper disposal of these electronic wastes affect the soil, air, and water components of the environment.
Effects on air – One of the most common effect of E-waste on air is through air pollution. Many rudimentary e-waste “processing plants” are not ethically run – or safe. For example, some e-waste traffickers burn open computer wires in order to get to the copper inside – a valuable commodity. The open burning can release hydrocarbons into the air, while the chemical stripping of gold-plated computer chips leads to emissions of brominated dioxins and heavy metals. A recent study of the environmental effects of the largest e-waste landfill in the world in Guiyu, China, found airborne dioxins to be 100 times more prevalent than previously measured.
Effects on water – When electronics containing heavy metals such as lead, barium, mercury, lithium (found in mobile phone and computer batteries), etc., are improperly disposed, these heavy metals leach through the soil to reach groundwater channels which eventually run to the surface as streams or small ponds of water. Local communities often depend on these bodies of water and the groundwater. Apart from these chemicals resulting in the death of some of the plants and animals that exist in the water, intake of the contaminated water by humans and land animals results in lead poisoning. Some of these heavy metals are also carcinogenic.
Effects on soil – Toxic heavy metals and chemicals from e-waste enter the soil to the crop and food pathway, one of the most significant routes for heavy metals’ exposure to humans. These chemicals are not biodegradable and they persist in the environment for long periods of time, increasing the risk of exposure.
How do we reduce environment damage by e-waste?
Government regulations must be strictly enforced to prevent e-waste generated in developed countries from being illegally dumped in developing nations. Laws and information should be provided regarding reduced usage, extend usage, re-use and recycling of electronics.
a. Reduce – The first thing is to consider whether you really need a new device. Products are often marketed as ‘must have’ and there can be a lot of peer pressure to have the latest device. But often this doesn’t take into account the practical use of the device. Always chasing the latest technology is a never-ending quest – there will always be a new product or an upgrade. Think about whether you really need the additional options on a new device.
b. Extend Use – You can extend the life of your electronic device in several ways. Make sure you that look after it. Buying a case for your laptop or tablet helps to protect it from bumps and scrapes, while screen protectors can minimize the risks of cracking or damaging the screen of a computer, tablet of smartphone.
c. Re-Use – If you have decided to get a new device, think about who may benefit from receiving your old one. Charitable organizations, schools, friends and family members may be grateful to receive a donation of electronic equipment
d. Recycle – Many of the components and materials in electronic devices can be recycled, such as the metal in wiring and circuit boards. By recycling your e-waste you ensure that any usable material is extracted for another purpose, so reducing the use of raw materials, saving resources that would go into manufacturing new products – including water and manpower – and preventing dangerous chemicals going into landfill. Many local authorities have dedicated schemes for recycling e-waste, so check with your local council. Sometimes manufacturers themselves have schemes to take back unwanted devices for recycling.
This essay was originally at: https://www.essaysauce.com/sample-essays/2018-3-18-1521402855/