Virtual Island Consulting Group 2004 Waste Management Leadership Conference The Environmental Effects of Digital Waste presented on May 8, 2004 by Virtual

Virtual Island Consulting Group

2004 Waste Management Leadership Conference

The Environmental Effects of Digital Wastepresented on May 8, 2004 by



Welcome

Welcome to the 2004 Waste Management Leadership Conference

We are happy you have chosen to attend our session on the Environmental Effects of Digital Waste

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland


Session Agenda

E-Waste Social Responsibility E-Waste and Global Issues Energy Conservation Recycle and Reuse Conclusion



The WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW of Digital Waste & the Environment

What - E-Waste

Who - Social Responsibility

Where - E-Waste and Global Issues

When - Energy Conservation

How - Recycle and Reuse



Our Mission Statement

To present unbiased information to industry leaders on the environmental impact of wastes generated by the computer technology industry.

To serve the industry as a professional resource in managing e-waste



Magnitude of Environmental Effects of E-Waste

National Safety Council estimates that 63 million computers will become obsolete in 2005

2,054,800 tons of electronic waste is laid to rest in landfills each year.

Nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years.




Many people discard computers every three to five years.

A small percentage of discard computers are recycled

Mobile phones will be discarded at a rate of 130 million per year by 2005, resulting in 65,000 tons of waste.




TVs and computers can contain an average of four pounds of lead (depending on their size, make, and vintage) as well as other substances of potential concern like chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, zinc, and brominated flame retardants.



E-Waste - Defined

Electronic equipment that are no longer usable or wanted are known as E-waste.

Electronic waste is also known as brown goods.

E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their “useful life.”

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/ewaste


E-Waste - Growing Concern

Less than 10% of outdated computer products are recycled

contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium

become an environmental health threat when discarded with other household garbage



E-Waste - Toxicity

Lead - major organ failure

Cadmium - poisoning

Mercury - brain damage

Hexavalent Chromium - DNA damage

PVC (Plastics) - fatal infections

Brominated Flame Retardants - cancer



Social Responsibility - Everyone has Responsibility

PC manufacturers have been slow to address/monitor detrimental effects of computers on the environment

Everyone -- manufacturers, consumers, and government -- must play a role in combating adverse long-term effects of computers

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/social


Social Responsibility - Role of PC Manufacturers

1. Develop Industry Standards

2. Manufacture longer-lasting

computers

3. Manufacture more upgradable

computers



Social Responsibility - Role of Consumers

1. Extend the life their computers by upgrading instead of replacement. This can save five to 20 times more energy than recycling.

2. Use low energy standby modes when the computer is in use

3. Put computer in sleep mode when it is not in use

4. Sell or donate computers versus storing them in the basement



Social Responsibility - Role of Government

1. Serve as catalyst for change among manufacturers and consumers

2. Mandate through legislation, guidelines for both groups

3. Costs may be too high for government to play a serious role



Social Responsibility - Role of PC Manufacturers

1. Develop Industry Standards

2. Manufacture longer-lasting

computers

3. Manufacture more upgradable

computers



Global Issues

In a scathing report entitled "Exporting Harm: The Techno-Trashing of Asia," the groups document what they claim is the damage being done to the land and people in Third World and Asian nations by the West's technological waste.

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/global


Global Issues

The United States is the only developed nation that has refused to sign the Basel Convention, a 1989 United Nations treaty calling on countries to sharply limit the export of hazardous waste.



Global Issues

In America, up to 80 per cent of what the country terms ‘recyclable’ electronics waste is sent to Asia and rather than trying to stop the practice, the US government is actively encouraging it, the report claims. The United States is the only industrialized country that has not ratified the Basel Convention, a United Nations environmental treaty that bans the export of hazardous waste to developing nations.



Energy Conservation -Total Cost of Ownership

Maintenance Repairing Hardware Software Power

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/energy


Energy Consumption

What % of energy consumption is the Internet & Information/communication technology responsible for?



Energy Consumption - Energy use per Year

Energy Use (per year)16% total consumption of California

Total combined electrical generation of NY 6 nuclear power plant

2010- - 135 billion kWh



Energy Consumption - Wasted Energy

Wasted Energy100 – 300kWh

APM IPC



Energy Consumption - Power Management Systems

Power Management SystemsCapable of reducing energy

consumption

25% enable Possible savings $0.0725 per kWh



Energy Consumption - Solutions

Turn off computer Use features Energy efficiency



Recycle - Reuse Best Option

Many programs accept computer donations (which are generally tax deductible), whereby the computers are refurbished and sent to local schools or organizations in need.

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/recycle


Recycle - Top 10 Resources

1. National Cristina Foundation2. Gifts in Kind America3. Return to Usecomputers.com4. Educational Assistance, Ltd.5. Goodwill Industries6. Computers for Schools7. Salvation Army8. World Computer Exchange9. National Safety Council10. Armed Forces Recruitment Centers

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/topten


Recycle - Is an Environmental Must!

plastics, glass, steel, gold, lead, mercury, cadmium and fire retardants

If thrown away, release toxins to the environment, potentially polluting the groundwater we drink and the air that we breathe.

More Information visit: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/recycle


Contact Information

Visit the Virtual Island web-site for more information at: http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland/index.html


Conclusion -Lessons to be Learned

Donate or reuseRepair or upgrade

Sell or TradeSalvage or recycle

DON’T - Store or throw away in home waste streams


Conclusion -More Information

For more information from Virtual Island, please visit our web-site at http://geocities.com/jeneeya/virtualisland


Thank You!

We hope you enjoy the remainder of your 2004 Waste Management Leadership Conference

Documents

Virtual Island Consulting Group 2004 Waste Management Leadership Conference The Environmental Effects of Digital Waste presented on May 8, 2004 by Virtual