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E-WASTE MORE LIKE E-CATASTROPHE

Andrew Fareri-Caines

Cis 1055-Section-002

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Is a waste type consisting of any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic device. Recyclable electronic waste is sometimes further categorized as a "commodity" while e-waste which cannot be reused is distinguished as "waste". Both types of e-waste have raised concern considering that many components of such equipment are considered toxic and are not biodegradable.

E-Waste

E-waste Video

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BIGGER PROBLEMS By 2010 it is

estimated that 1 billion computers will be discarded improperly

As technology advances and gets more affordable there becomes more computers that will be eventually discarded

Where are we going to put all of these computers?

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A NEW ELEMENT

Computers contain extremely toxic chemicals-Lead- damages nervous system, blood systems, kidneys, reproductive systems.

-Mercury- brain damage

-Barium- toxic

-Beryllium- lung cancer

-Chromium- damaged DNA

-Arsenic- poison

-Cobalt- radio active

Harmful to Humans and the Earth

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CURRENT WAYS OF DISPOSAL

Currently we Dispose of these items through means of

- Landfills- Burning in

incinerators- Shipping it off to 3rd

world countriesThis picture was taken in

Nigeria

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EST. COMPUTER PRODUCTION FROM 1980 UNTIL 2005 CHART

As seen the amount of computer production from 1980 until present has tripled.Source: Economic Report of the President, from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Participate in getting legislation passed regarding E-waste.

Recycle old Computers Inform others about

how serious the problem is and how they can possibly contribute to the growing problem.

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WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO?

Set up recycling programs that can be paid for by adding $10 to the price of computers and computer equipment

Also by having awareness commercials of the problems of e-waste and how we need to act now.

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WHAT COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS CAN DO Reduce the amount of

toxic material in their products

Become responsible for collecting their products and recycling them

Work on more energy and bio friendly products

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In Conclusion there should be a 3 part effort by Government, Manufacturers and the people to work on reducing the amount of e-waste. Government should set up programs like e-waste trucks that come around every month and collect old computers and recycle them. Manufacturers should reduce their amount of toxic chemicals in their products. We should all do our part by recycling.

Conclusion

Questions?Comments?

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REFERENCE SHEET

1.Vermaat, Shelly. Discovering Computers 2009: Introductory.2008

2.Meyers, Tim. “Public Works Online.” The Cost of E-waste. June 1st ,2006. http://www.pwmag.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=772&articleID=314689

3.Zangilli, Andrew. “Legal Technology Center.” Responsible e-Waste disposal. August 23, 2006.

http://technology.findlaw.com/articles/00006/010271.html

4.Heller, Zach. “AlterNet.” E-waste and i-Woes. August 15, 2005. http://www.alternet.org/environment/24045