The Environmental Impact of E-Waste

The environmental impact of e-waste

Electronic waste is unwanted electronic equipment. The amount of e-waste is becoming a problem as with our growing population and ever changing technology the amount of e-waste is increasing by 40 million tonnes per year. ‘The consumption of materials, energy and other resources has been accelerating in a way that cannot be sustained.’ (Harrison & Hester, 2009). E-waste is a threat to the environment and to human health.

E-waste is made up of heavy metals such as lead and mercury and is ‘considered to be a hazardous waste as it causes substantial harm to humans and the environment.’ (Rosenfield & Lydia, 2011). Most waste is dumped in landfill sites which are poorly managed or exported to developing countries where local residents are exposed to the toxic materials. The treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes is complicated and requires advanced technology which is both expensive and unavailable in poorer countries.

Liquid waste is discarded via deepwell or underground injection. The waste is pumped below the earth’s surface and stored between the impermeable rock layers. This is a dangerous method as bacterial populations could thrive in the toxic environment, the liquid could leak into the underground water systems and earthquakes may be triggered by the activity.

Liquid waste can also undergo aqueous organic treatment which removes some of the toxins before the waste is discarded.

Wastes that cannot be recycled are burned and converted into gas. This is known as incineration. The gas let off, as well as the left over solids, are toxic and are harmful to the environment and the public.

Most e-waste however, is dumped in landfill sites. Landfill sites take up large areas of land and are a huge environmental risk. The waste in these dumps may cause fires, produce toxic fumes or leak into the soil and water sources nearby. This is very dangerous and an ‘increase in congenital anomalies, decreased birth weight...