The Global Detriments of E Waste, Research Paper Example

The flood of used and discarded information and communication equipment, as well as other electronic products, is a growing concern.  In addition to the quantities of waste, there are a number of toxic substances that require special handling, and precious metals are being lost.  E-waste is a threat to the environment and to the health of the people.  The government, manufacturers, and consumers have their respective role with the e-waste problem.  The government must provide a strict and clear legislation regarding the disposal of e-wastes.  The manufacturers must apply the design for the environment, use of less hazardous materials and provide recycling facilities.  Lastly, the consumers must be properly informed and be responsible for the disposal of this futuristic waste.

Problem of E-Waste

The buildup of e-waste is a growing problem.  Relative to the technologies that are developed and the universal use of such products, e-waste is building within the country and around the globe.  Some of the statistics demonstrate the rise and seriousness of the issue of building e-waste.

The presence of e-waste is staggering.  Within the United States, there are already significant problems with e-waste.  Discarded electronics accounts for 70% of heavy metals in landfills (Silicon Valley Toxic Corporation).  However, such products only represent 2% of trash in landfills (Slade).

In these statistics we begin to see the dramatic impact of electronic waste in the landfills of the United States.  As the statistics demonstrate, even a small amount of e-waste can have drastic implications.  Yet this is certainly not the case, as the rise of electronics is seen against the growing problem of e-waste.

The growing nature of e-waste is quite staggering.  For instance, the United States National Safety Council reports that 75% of all personal computers are now removed, serving as surplus electronics (Harris).  When the nature of personal computers in regards to use is considered, the effect of this can be drastic.  In the improper disposal of computers and other electronic products, it remains to be seen how e-waste will rise if something is not done.

In regards to surplus electronics, there are equally significant implications.  With the growing numbers of electronics that are simply lying around in citizen’s homes, this can be damaging to certain areas.  As they are sold to areas that are less capable of handling e-waste, environmental standards are undermined.

The overall situation is becoming increasingly important.  It is clear as to the extent of the use of technology within the United States and in other countries.  Yet it remains to be seen the parallel line to increased standards of recycling and proper disposal of such elements.

Implications

The implications of the problem of e-waste are seen primarily in two forms.  On one front e-waste incurs toxic effects due to the possible negative substances in such products.  Additionally, and related to this, is the export of such difficult products to recycle, and the mentioned health effects, to developing countries.

E-waste can have serious effects to landfills and possible health concerns.  The recycling of electronic scrap can lead to toxic and carcinogenic effects.  Lead, mercury, and cadmium are some of the toxic substances present in landfills.  The toxicity and carcinogenic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are pronounced in some forms of electronic waste, such as wires, capacitors, transformers, and other components with polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Such substances are becoming integrated within landfills.  The potential health effects are staggering when the substances seen in technological products are considered.  As e-waste becomes disposed of improperly, the dangerous effects of such toxic and carcinogenic substances may be realized.  This demonstrates another reason as to the need for proper recycling methods and standards.

Additionally, e-waste is commonly being exported to developing countries.  Some “brokers” export the high cost e-waste to developing countries in order to avoid the expenses related to these items.   This creates the environmental impact of such products onto other countries, countries that are less capable of handling the recycling of e-waste.

In this instance, the effects are pronounced environmentally and economically.  These countries are being placed in danger relative to the dangerous nature of some technological products, as mentioned previously.  The additional impact is found in an economic light, where expenses are transferred to other developing countries.

Government

The United States Government is the first line against the threat of the implications of e-waste.  The first thing that needs to happen is this realization.  As it will be covered, the stance of the manufacturers and stores towards recycling is beneficial, yet the government must lead the stance towards effective recycling of e-waste.

The government has displayed some efforts in this regard.  Currently the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to increase awareness of recycling.  Recently the EPA worked with service providers, manufacturers, and retailers to increase awareness of cell phone recycling for national cell phone recycling week in April of this year (Post-Tribune).

In this manner the EPA has demonstrated some attention to the awareness of recycling efforts.  In regards to the national cell phone recycling week this year, the EPA partnered with AT&T, Best Buy, LG Electronics, RecycleBank, Samsung Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless (Post-Tribune).  However, while this displays the positive benefits of accessible recycling locations and awareness for recycling of electronic products in general, it is not enough.

The United States Government, in conjunction with several departments and agencies such as the EPA, needs to implement stronger standards for the recycling and disposal of e-waste.  It is not enough to partner with electronics stores and manufacturers.  The government must take a stronger lead if these potential effects of e-waste are going to be noticed and prevented in time.

The United States Government should seek action on two primary fronts.  Initially the awareness and recycling procedures for electronic products must be realized.  The prevention of e-waste buildup in landfills must occur.  Additionally, the government must seek action in order to ease the current situation in landfills and in the export of dangerous material.  The examination of the current situation must take place in order to identify proper action that needs to occur currently.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of electronic products must take part in the global detriments of e-waste.  Manufacturers need to be active in the awareness and in methods of carrying out recycling methods of e-waste in order to ease the current burden.  Manufacturers are also much more able to connect with customers as the public becomes more aware about the implications and benefits of proper e-waste disposal.

In many cases, the manufacturers are present during the purchase of electronic products.  While of course electronic stores are often present, manufacturers should take aims at having cooperation with stores.  Manufacturers must take strides at having awareness efforts to customers through their interactions with customers.  Web sites and the stores that sell their products must convey this important information.

This can take many forms.  For instance, more electronic companies are displaying recycling information directly on the product or its packaging.  These kinds of efforts can go a long way to raising awareness for the proper disposal of e-waste.

Manufacturers can also be effective at conveying recycling efforts to electronic stores and places where their products are sold.  As it has been demonstrated, such stores have been cooperative in such efforts.  Manufacturers can help raise awareness directly and indirectly to customers and the general public.  In many cases representative from the manufacturer will have the chance to speak regarding these points, at some point of contact with the customer.

Programs from manufacturers can also be integral in the proper disposal of e-waste.  This is becoming more commonly seen, as manufacturers offer an incentive or simply the proper disposal of old electronics, with the purchase of a new product.  Some companies will even properly dispose of products at any time, which is something in which other manufacturers should take note.

Consumers

The last step to the proper disposal of e-waste rests with the consumers.  Ultimately consumers are responsible for the proper handling of electronic products, which will dictate how the future of e-waste is presented.  With proper awareness and support, cooperation of the consumer should be maintained.

Consumers must first be informed of the situation.  While there have been efforts, it is not enough.  Currently the government and manufacturers need to step up awareness so that consumers are aware of the dangers and implications of e-waste.

However responsibility must be realized with the consumers.  Consumers are responsible for the handling of potentially dangerous material.  As consumers will potentially be properly informed of this responsibility, consumers maintain an important and active role in the disposal of e-waste.

With cooperation from the government, manufacturers, and stores, consumers will be much more able to perform this duty.  Consumers will potentially have much better access to proper recycling facilities for electronic material.  As more convenient locations arise for the widespread proper disposal of e-waste, consumers will likely be receptive to being more active with the recycling of electronic products.

Conclusion

The global detriments to e-waste are quite significant.  The United States, as well as other countries, is becoming more impacted with the rise of e-waste in landfills.  There are significant environmental and health dangers associated with this phenomenon.  Additionally, less developed countries are becoming hampered with this problem.

Cooperation at all levels needs to take place to find promise in regards to the disposal of e-waste.  The government, manufacturers, and stores need to cooperatively raise awareness and implement plans for the proper disposal of e-waste and to the extent of the current situation.  Ultimately it will be up to consumers to carry out the proper disposal of e-waste in reaction to the potentially dangerous situation.

Works Cited

Harris, Mark. “E-mail from America: Buy-back gadgets.” Sunday Times, August 17, 2008. Web. May 1, 2010.

Post-Tribune. “Phone recycling urged: EPA announces weeklong campaign to raise awareness.” Post-Tribune, April 6, 2010. Web. May 1, 2010.

Silicon Valley Toxic Corporation. ”Poison PCs/Toxic TVs Executive Summary, 2004. Web. May 1, 2010.

Slade, Giles. “iWaste.” Mother Jones, April 1, 2007. Web. May 1, 2010.