In most parts of the world, underground water is not drinkable directly. Long ago, people simply used to draw up water from wells and drink it. But now, you have to use some sort of filter to purify the water and make it drinkable. Why? It is just one of the many problems and hazards of E-waste. The electronic devices, dead cells, and batteries you throw away with other garbage contain lead that easily mixes with underground water, making it unfit for direct consumption. That is just the tip of the iceberg – the problems of e-waste disposal!
What is E-Waste
This word has caught up in the recent past only when someone studying the subject noted that our environment will be 6x more congested with e-waste. I did not save that tweet else I could have given you some reference. Even if it is not to be tripled, e-waste is growing in volumes… huge volumes. The reason why e-waste is increasing is that technology is growing fast and in an attempt to get better devices, we casually get rid of old electronics – the best examples being that of smartphones.
One may ask about the relationship between old electronics and e-waste. I would say, e-waste is actually the old electronic goods that people simply give away to garbage trucks that are then dumped into landfills or similar sites. Electronics have a number of harmful elements that react with air and water to create problems of e-waste such as water, air, and soil pollution as well as problems that affect human beings in the form of diseases.
In the above example, we used old cells and batteries. Most of the cheaper batteries are lead-based and easily react with water (rain or moisture) to seep and mix with underground water, polluting the soil and air where the garbage department disposed of them.
Thus, everything that falls into the electronics category, that you intend to throw away, is e-waste (electronic waste). This includes computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and so on. There are proper methods to dispose off electronic items. They should be handled differently, but unfortunately, even the developed countries do not have strong policies to take care of such harmful, toxic garbage.
Effect Of E-Waste on Humans and Environment
Let’s check out some of the most common components found in computers, monitors, TVs, etc., and how they affect human life.
The solder present on the motherboard of computers and TV contains high levels of lead. Even the glass panels of computer monitors and of course, the lead batteries contaminate air, water, and soil. In addition, they distort the process of brain development, while posing danger to the central nervous system and kidneys. This (lead poisoning) is among the most dangerous hazards of e-waste.
Other than lead, motherboards also have high levels of Mercury. Improper disposal may create skin and respiratory disorders. Mercury poisoning also causes acute brain damage.
The cables, PVC panels, and glass, when reacting with moisture and oxygen, create hazardous soil that may not be suitable for even building a home as the people breathing that air will suffer from reproduction and proper development of body parts, including the brain. It also spoils the immune system. Stress, anxiety, and other mental problems can arise out of breathing air polluted with glass, PVC, and other forms of plastic remain found in electronic items.
Motherboard circuits can cause lung cancer when you breathe air polluted by the fumes released when the motherboard elements react and create Beryllium. They are also responsible for skin diseases, including warts and certain forms of dangerous allergies.
Treating E-Waste
As of now, no proper methods are being implemented even in the first world to eliminate the problem of e-waste. The two methods I found interesting for the proper treatment of e-waste are recycling and refurbishing.
Some products may not be fully recyclable. PVC layers, for example, remain unchanged for years and cannot be recycled. It would be better if manufacturers used recyclable materials so that e-waste could be recycled into usable products without harming the planet and its inhabitants. Thus, one of the major factors in treating e-waste is to compel manufacturers to use green elements.
If electronics are refurbished, they can be sold again at a lower price. Thus, both society and the environment will benefit. Instead of simply dumping your old TV into the garbage bin, you might want to think about calling the vendor and asking him where to present the item for refurbishing. If you cannot find it, consider donating the item to a charity that can either use it as is or have it repaired and use it. I do not think it is a practice that is well implemented, but it would be nice if all vendors provided a refurbishment facility.
The Microsoft Refurbisher program is one of Microsoft’s initiatives. In this – now discontinued – program, the refurbisher procures pre-owned computers, refurbishes them, and preinstalls genuine Microsoft software.
The bottom line when it comes to the proper disposal of e-waste is to convert it into less harmful materials before disposing of it completely. A sound policy on this subject should be implemented without any irregularities for the benefit of the entire planet.
Related: How and why you should recycle Smartphones.
