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E waste status and management |
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An estimated 50 million tons of E-waste are produced each year. The USA discards 30 million computers each year and 100 million phones are disposed of in Europe each year. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled, the rest of these electronics go directly into landfills and incinerators.According to a report by UNEP titled, "Recycling - from E-Waste to Resources," the amount of e-waste being produced - including mobile phones and computers - could rise by as much as 500 percent over the next decade in some countries, such as India. The United States is the world leader in producing electronic waste, tossing away about 3 million tons each year. China already produces about 2.3 million tons (2010 estimate) domestically, second only to the United States. And, despite having banned e-waste imports, China remains a major e-waste dumping ground for developed countries. Case study of different countries : 1. Brazil : The Brazilian electronic market is considered the fifth biggest after China, USA, Japan and Russia. The inclusion of Brazil as the biggest economy of the Latin American subcontinent into the SECO e-waste program has been considered continuously. Several states in Brazil have initiated e-waste initiatives, are drafting or have issued e-waste relevant regulations or have established separate collection of particular e-waste fractions. These developments contrast the national perception of e-waste. 2. China : China has a semi-informal collection and dismantling industry. Peddlers are the fist step of a daisy chain of businesses and industries, buying up e-waste from, households, industries, administrations etc. For further processing, the e-waste is transported to South-East China, mainly to the Zhe Jiang province (Taizhou) and South China mainly to the Guangdong province (Guiyu), both places being hubs of the Chinese e-waste recycling industry. The programme has supported the formulation of a ?technical? draft for a national e-waste law. 3. India : India has a large e-waste recycling industry, in and around the big cities, handling from collecting and dismantling to re-manufacturing obsolete appliances and material recovery. The entire business develops in the informal sector, i.e. within small units with low-skilled, mainly migrant labour. At national level, the programme?s activities are concentrating on supporting the National WEEE Strategy Group, while the project's implementation unit focuses on the ?Cyber City? Bangalore where it supports the establishment of a ?Clean e-Waste Channel?, starting with safe and controlled recycling of corporate e-waste. So what's the benefit of recycling ? Recycling raw materials from end-of-life electronics is the most effective solution to the growing e-waste problem. Most electronic devices contain a variety of materials, including metals that can be recovered for future uses. By dismantling and providing reuse possibilities, intact natural resources are conserved and air and water pollution caused by hazardous disposal is avoided. Additionally, recycling reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the manufacturing of new products. Benefits of recycling are extended when responsible recycling methods are used. In the U.S., responsible recycling aims to minimize the dangers to human health and the environment that disposed and dismantled electronics can create. Responsible recycling ensures best management practices of the electronics being recycled, worker health and safety, and consideration for the environment locally and abroad. Much of what's used to make computers can be recycled, yet more than 1.5 million are dumped in Australian landfill each year. Their re-usable materials include ferrous (iron-based) and non-ferrous metals, glass and various types of plastic. So exactly what can be recycled from a computer? Almost 99% of the components that make up a PC can be recycled. By recycling we can avoid serious toxins, chemicals and heavy metals from going to landfill and polluting our environment. -CRT Tube Monitor: 95% glass 2% ferrous metal (screws, etc) -Computer case: 90% steel 10% ABS or resin plastic (this varies from model to model) -Mouse: 90% plastic 5% circuit board 5% cable (can be recovered) -CD ROM case: 50% ferrous metal 50% plastic resin -Hard drives: 80% aluminium 15% steel 5% circuit board Material use and re-use : -Metal: 100% Recyclable Non-ferrous metals, mainly aluminium and copper can all be re-smelted and re-manufactured. Ferrous metals such as steel and iron can be also be re-used. -Glass: 99% Recyclable The best option is "glass to glass", where shards are processed to make material for new tubes or lead-based glass products, or for use in ceramics Alternatively, lead is extracted by smelting and re-used in lead products, and glass in road base. -Plastic: 100% Recyclable Computers generally contain polypropylene, or ABS plastic or a blended resin such as ABS/polycarbonate or polystyrene, which can be re-used as packaging, textiles, etc. So I hope next time you would make the most out of your gadget. P.S : I am starting a electronics item recycling firm. If you have or know anyone who is ready to donate electronics items, then contact me. Together, we can change the world.
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6 Comments
Thanks for the wonderful suggestion Christy.
Yeah it's royalty free photo Tunza.
Posted 10-04-2015 02:49
Hi, Basu, thanks for sharing your business :) All the best!
By the way, I was wondering if the picture in this article is royalty free photo or not.
Because of the copyright law, we have to be conscious about the copyright all the time when posting a photo. Please check! Thanks!
Posted 03-04-2015 17:50
Wow, it's so cool to launch your own business, Basu! I wish you for the best of luck :D
Well, though I can't send you e-wastes as I live in Korea, but I have an idea. Usually, Electronic goods makers gather used items when they install a new one in the customer's house. So, they must gather huge amount of e-wastes. So, you can contact them and ask if they can donate gathered e-waste from their customers.
Posted 01-04-2015 15:33
Thanks for an informative report. I am glad to know that you are starting an e-waste recycling firm. All the best and keep us updated.
Posted 01-04-2015 12:13
All the best dear Basu.Thanks for sharing.
Posted 31-03-2015 14:31
Well done mate. Hope the firm runs well! (y)
Posted 31-03-2015 00:25