Electronic Waste - And it Was Really As Dangerous As This

Electronic Waste - And it Was Really As Dangerous As This

By Abraham R Chacko

Electronic-waste (or e-waste) is a collective name for trashed electronic items like obsolete PCs, laptops, fax machines, cell phones, batteries, consumer electronics etc. As we are about to see, it is fearfully difficult to dispose off e-waste safely since it is loaded with several highly toxic (poisonous) and harmful substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium (chromium VI), polybrominated flame retardants etc. that are not found in other forms of human waste. The lightning speed of growth of the Information Technology (and now mobile telecom) industry is leading to fast-growing piles of e-waste worldwide, particularly in developed nations, and unless they are quickly and safely disposed off, e-waste is going to take its huge, fearsome and absolutely irreversible toll on all life and the environment soon.

Now comes the question, why is it such a big problem to get rid of e-waste? Isn't it just as easy as getting rid of other forms of human waste? The answer is a very blunt NO! E-waste does not lend itself to current forms of municipal waste disposal i.e. by practices such as landfilling and incineration. Here's the reason why. Metals lead, mercury and cadmium (all of which are found in e-waste) leach out of landfills, leading to serious soil and groundwater pollution. Incineration (or waste destruction by burning), on the other hand, is crippled by other limitations. Typically, the incineration process creates slag, fly ash, flue gas and filter cake. When e-waste is incinerated, the burning of the plastics component generates highly toxic dioxins and furans while high concentrations of metals, including heavy metals are left in the slag and fly ash. Hence the incineration method results in dangerous air pollution and hands us another toxic by product at the end - slag and fly ash! In other words, it gives us another waste problem to deal with, without really solving the original one! Safe e-waste disposal requires use of specialized mechanical and chemical processes by which recyclable components like mercury, gold, copper etc. are first recovered and the residual matter is chemically treated and rendered harmless to life before being disposed off in landfills/incinerators.

As mentioned above, the major toxic components of e-waste are 1. Lead 2. Cadmium 3. Mercury 4. Hexavalent Chromium 5. Plastics & 6. Poly-brominated flame retardants. The major health and environmental hazards caused by each are described below, in brief. (Note: The author has taken sincere efforts to present the hazards (below) in DESCENDING order of severity but makes no claim (or guarantee) of accuracy)

LEAD(*): (A) Severely affects central and peripheral nervous systems (one extreme hazard being impairment of brain development in children) (B) Adversely affects blood, kidneys and the endocrine (or hormone) system (C) After crossing a threshold limit of concentration in the environment, has acute and chronic toxic effects on plants, animals and micro-organisms

CADMIUM(*): (A) Cancer of lung and prostate (B) Kidney damage as cadmium accumulates in the kidneys and acts first on it

MERCURY(*): Brain Damage in humans (in the case of developing fetuses causes mental retardation, incoordination, blindness, seizures, inability to speak etc.). (Mercury enters humans through the food chain, particularly via contaminated fish. This happens when the mercury contained in e-waste dumped into oceans/ rivers/lakes is consumed by fish and other aquatic micro-organisms)

HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM (Chromium VI)(*): (A) Allergic conditions even if consumed in small quantities e.g. asthmatic bronchitis (B) Damages the reproductive system in males (C) May cause DNA damage.

PLASTICS: Burning of plastics generates highly toxic dioxins and furans (exact hazards have not yet been publicly made known)

POLY-BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS(*) (PBDEs or Poly-brominated Diphenylethers): (A) Endocrine (hormone) system disruption-particularly reduces levels of thyroxin, an essential hormone needed to regulate the normal development of all animal species, including humans (B) Other neuro-toxic effects in infants and the young of animals.

For reliable and detailed information on the hazardous effects of any of the above substances visit the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website and navigate to the name of the substance you want to know more about via the A-Z index provided. For example, to read about hazards arising from Lead, click on 'L' (for names starting with L) and then select 'Lead' from the sub-menu displayed

Is there any way you can help? Of course! Any control or mitigation of the problem starts only when individual users of electronic goods (that means you and me!) stand united the world over and firmly say NO to unsafe e-waste disposal.

And finally comes the question 'how'? One major point to note and take advantage of is that the lion's share of e-waste is comprised by obsolete Personal Computers (PCs)/Laptops/Notebooks and accessories. Major computer manufacturers like IBM, HP,Dell,View Sonic, Sony, Panasonic,Gateway & Acer, already aware of the dangers of e-waste, are offering to 'take-back' their used computers (either free or at a small fee) so that you can return end-of-life computers/peripherals back to them for safe disposal. Your worries about e-waste disposal, therefore, end when you return obsolete computers to the manufacturer you bought them from! Period.

So, step 1 is: DO NOT BUY from a manufacturer that does not offer to take-back your PC or cellphone when it turns obsolete! A noted, environmentally responsible organization that performs watchdog services in the area of electronic trash control is the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition(SVTC). SVTC maintains a 'computer manufacturer score-card' (view the score card now) that ranks computer manufacturers on observed responsibility to environment related issues. It is highly recommended that you buy in future from a manufacturer on this list AND/OR

Step 2: Make sure the PC (or electronic product) you buy is 'EPEAT' ( Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool of the US Environmental Protection Agency) registered or evidence exists of adherence to the IEEE 1680 environmental performance standard set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., USA ( IEEE )

Step 3: Pass the word along among friends/colleagues/family members.

Step 4: Look for terms like e-waste and RoHS (RoHS, which stands for 'Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances' is the equivalent of e-waste control measures set up in European Union (EU) countries) in the news and keep upto-date with developments on this front.

Step 5: Be aware that governments of developed countries (including the USA), well aware of the consequences, are indifferent to the existing backdoor practice of gifting/selling obsolete PCs to poorer nations(also read footnote 1). The e-waste problem is thus conveniently passed on to poorer nations while the exporting countries go scot free (they save on costs of proper disposal as well as face lesser criticism at home about responsibility issues as the underlying cause itself gets 'exported' and the barest few issues that might crop up remain). This is unjust! Confront your government with the truth. Make them call off their bluff! Make them sit up and take action!!

Were already late, so don't delay, start on your action right from today...!!!

(1) In this connection, it's worth noting that the 1992 United Nations Basel Convention, that governs global cross-border movements of hazardous wastes, places strict regulations on the trade/export/import of e-waste between countries. While many nations in the world are signatories to this legally binding international treaty, the USA, by being a signatory (but un-ratified to date) is a prominent exception.

Add to this the fact that the US is the biggest producer and exporter of e-waste in the world and you'll have to admit that the USA alone, nearly 18 years after 1992, can continue with delays and postponements even in the matter of a crucial, global issue like e-waste possibly because, when it comes to the USA, even in our times, 'might is still right' or 'while all nations are equal, some are more equal than the others'.

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What Manufacturers Need To Know About Weee: The Waste Electrical And Electronic Equipment Directive

What Manufacturers Need To Know About Weee: The Waste Electrical And Electronic Equipment Directive - By: Sandra Noble

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Union aims at minimization of the impact of e-waste (discarded or end-of-life electrical or electronic equipment [EEE]), on the environment by increasing re-use and recycling and reducing the amount of WEEE going to landfills. It is closely linked to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2002/95/EC which seeks to limit the presence of six hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment.

There are several categories of electronic waste or e-waste that fall under the WEEE Directive: large and small household appliances as well as consumer products are included. E-waste in this directive means electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) designed for use with voltage ratings of up to 1000V ac or 1500V dc. Hence manufacturers of most electronic consumer goods used in day to day life, fall under the purview of the directive. Since the consequences of non-compliance are serious (including possible ban on doing business in EU countries), manufacturers need to be conversant with the WEEE and the related RoHS directives.

The WEEE Directive seeks to minimize the environmental impact of e-waste by mandating its collection, treatment, recovery and/or recycling should be facilitated and financed by producers. It also proposes that consumers be able to return their waste equipment free of charge. Manufacturers, therefore, need to assess the impact of these requirements and initiate appropriate action for implementation.

This involves setting up collection centers for e-waste, arrangements for transportation to the recovery and/or recycling centers, facilities for recycling and determination of final disposal options. Recovery and recycling of electronic waste is specialized work and recycling plants must conform to certain minimum standards.

Operation of captive recycling facilities may be both uneconomical and beyond the core competence of equipment manufacturers. Hence suitable tie-ups with external recycling establishments may need to be entered into by manufacturers, either singly or through collective arrangements. The foregoing are post-sales activities.

It is very important for a manufacturer to also understand the importance of certain pre-sales actions which impinge upon compliance significantly. These are actions at the design and manufacturing stages.

First is the effort to design equipment which can be dismantled into the smallest possible parts and components. This will facilitate recovery of the parts for reuse; a more economical proposition than say, recycling.

Second, manufacturers must ensure labeling of products is in line with the requirements of the WEEE Directive including a "Do Not Landfill" note.

Third, reduction of hazardous material content in the product greatly reduces the need for expensive recovery efforts. It also contributes to overall environmental conservation. For this reason, the importance of RoHS compliance of products and processes cannot be over emphasized. The sooner manufacturers recognize this fact; the better their profits will be long term.

The WEEE 2002/96/EC Directive is not a law and individual EU member states are to incorporate its provisions into their own legislations. Since differences in the laws across the EU member states are inevitable, multi-national manufacturers may need to develop innovative compliance solutions.

Further, the WEEE Directive is based on Article 175 of the EC (European Community) Treaty - the Treaty establishing the European Union. This allows member states to include additional products as long as they countries adhere to European Community laws governing overall trade and commerce within and beyond the EU. Manufacturers must stay abreast of more environmentally sound practices and current WEEE changes. They also need to be aware of the implication of such changes on their businesses.

Manufacturers have obligations that go beyond the production of electrical and electronic equipment. If they are doing business in the United Kingdom or the European Union (EU), manufacturers must make it convenient for consumers to dispose of that equipment in an environmentally friendly way. And the manufacturers are on the hook for the costs.

Sandra Noble, president, Noble & Associates Consulting: I.T. Strategy Analysis/Assessments, Software Evaluation ERP/Oracle/SAP and the cure for Post Implementation Distress

Noble Finances: A/R Financing, Equipment Leasing and Lawsuit Funding

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How To Dispose Of E-waste Effectively

How To Dispose Of E-waste Effectively -
By: Neil Maycock

Environmental concerns play a bigger part in our life now then they ever did. One of these concerns is what to do with our electronic waste or e-waste. Computer recycling is the answer.

Rather than disposing of computer parts in land fills, computer recyclers can strip the workable parts of a computer and make working models, while others parts are safely disposed of. Below is a list of computer parts and the safest way to dispose of them.

There are a number of reasons why some computer users may be reluctant to recycle there old equipment:
Security Most computer recovery companies offer a service called data wiping. They will completely erase any data on disk drives or components for your security
Number Of Items Bulk Items can be collected by a collection agency. This will solve any transportation problems when recycling computer parts.

CRT Monitors Perhaps one of the most difficult computer part to dispose of safely is the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor. The problem with crt monitors is the amount of lead in them. There is over four pounds of lead in them. In most countries now it is illegal to dispose of electronic waste at landfills. There are few obvious reasons for this, one of them is that the lead can actually poison drinking water. The best option is to contact a computer recycling program who can take your old monitor off your hands. These are usually donated to charities or schools, and in some situations you may even receive cash for your old equipment.

Cadmium Those unwanted chips and semi-conducters found in mainboards, memory and other electronic cards such as graphic cards contain a high level of cadmium. This has long life span of thirty years and can cause kidney problems. Computer recycling facilities are the safest way to dispose of these, without polluting the environment or risking human or animal life.

Other computer parts such as batteries, motherboards and components can contain Mercury. This is very harmful if not disposed of correctly. In fact it is alleged that this can be more poisonous than arsenic.

Most electronic recycling centers are very flexible in the way the handle collections. They can pickup, have drop in centers or in some areas, events are held where people can bring there electronic items to a designated area. This is very handy to business and universities who may want to dispose of items in bulk.


Environmental concerns play a bigger part in our life now then they ever did. One of these concerns is what to do with our electronic waste or e-waste. Computer recycling is the answer.

Neil Maycock writes articles on Canada Computer Recycling

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

E - Waste

How to Be More Green About Your Computer Usage

How to Be More Green About Your Computer Usage

By Lance Esondi

Computers make our lives much easier. They can automate tasks and keep us connected to the internet which brings value to our lives. While these are good things, there is a dark side to computers that most of us don't realize. Computers have quite a bit of toxic substances in them. This doesn't mean they are bad. What it means is that when disposing of them some considerations need to be made.

Many parts on the motherboard and especially laptop batteries have things that are just not good to be thrown away into a landfill. These need to be thrown away properly. Be responsible and find a computer disposal service or even consider giving it away to someone who may want your older machine.

Another way of being more responsible about computer usage is to not buy a brand new machine as often. While the newest models with the best features are surely enticing, think about what you actually need. Ninety percent or more of today's computer tasks can easily be done on a five year old machine. Rarely do most people need the newest components. There is a large impact if everyone is always buying the latest and greatest gadgets constantly.

Consider buying used computers and rescuing them from being thrown out. At this point you can at least be the conduit to reuse the computer and eventually throw it away properly when you are finished with it.

These devices great and do make our lives easier. Just be conscious of the potential impact if not taken care of properly after they are broken.

Besides writing informative technology and computer articles Lance also writes on jewelry and fashion like the Brass Knuckles Necklace and Brass Knuckles Chain accessories.

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