E-Waste: a Growing Problem

E-Waste and its Management - A Global Perspective

“When we poison our environment, we poison our bodies, because our bodies are this environment, taken in as foods, water and air. Environmental pollution becomes internal pollution.” - Udo Erasmus

The WEEE Man is a giant recycled waste sculpture in London, England, and represents how much WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) an average UK person will create in their lifetime

(look at it carefully).

E-Waste

What is E-Waste?

discarded

• Electronic scrap or electronic equipment that have been loosely

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Cellular phones Computers Televisions Any Electronic Device you can name does contribute

Why is E-Waste a growing problem?

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Electronic waste contributes to serious health problems within humans and animals. Land fields of scrap being improperly disposed Chemicals, Lead, Cadmium, Brominated Flame Retardants No laws implemented to enforce throughout many countries Unsafe recycling operations

Most products contain dangerous metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury, which can contaminate air and water when they are dumped

Guiyu, China-Largest E-waste Site on Earth

E-Waste: Dumping on the Poor Source: http://www.ban.org/photogallery/china_guiyu_2008/p ages/girl_clean_fish.html

E-Waste Recycling in China:

Piles of cell phones in Asia:

More recycling in Pakistan:

E-waste: A Global Issue

Source:http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/02342/photos/webready/routes2.jpg

What different countries are doing to slow down/prevent e-waste

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Governments across the world are implementing laws prohibiting its disposal in landfills and issuing mandates on recycling EU some responsibility has been placed back on the manufacturer by making them financially or physically responsible for their equipment at the end of its life Putting some responsibility back on the manufacturer has created a competitive incentive for companies to design 'greener' products Tighter regulation on the...