Question

Research online to find information on e-waste. Describe e-waste and the environmental impact. How do you think e-waste will shape the use of technology in the future? Summarize and describe what you found. Was there anything surprising that you discovered in your research? (cite your source)

Answer 1

E-Waste and its impact on the environment:

E-waste or electronic waste is waste from all sorts of electronic ranging from computers and mobile phones to household electronics such as food processors, pressure cookers, mixer grinders etc.,

The effect of improper disposal of this E-waste on the environment are little known. These impacts nonetheless pose very real threats and dangers to the global environment at large.

Threats posed by E-waste to the environment:

Improper disposal of these electronic wastes affect the soil, air and water components of the environment

Effects on Air

One of the most common effect of E-waste on air is through air pollution. For example, a British documentary about Lagos shows a number of landfill scavengers who go through numerous landfills in Lagos looking for improperly disposed electronics which includes which includes wires, blenders, etc., to make some income from the recycling of these wastes. These men were shown to burn wires to get the copper in them by open air burning which can release hydrocarbons into the air.

Effects on Water

When electronics containing heavy metals such as lead, barium, mercury, lithium (found in mobile phone and computer batteries), etc., are improperly disposed, these heavy metals leach through the soil to reach groundwater channels which eventually run to the surface as streams or small ponds of water. Local communities often depend on these bodies of water and the ground water. Apart from these chemicals resulting in the death of some of the plants and animals that exists in the water, intake of the contaminated water by humans and land animals results in lead poisoning. Some of these heavy metals are also Carcinogenic.

Effects on Soil

In this way, toxic heavy metals and chemicals from e-waste enter the "Soil- Crop - Food pathway", one of the most significant routes for heavy metals exposure to humans. These chemicals are not biodegradable - they persist in the environment for long periods of time, increasing the risk of exposure.

Use of Technology on E-Waste in future:

E-waste is the fastest growing waste on the planet,with an annual growth rate of 3-4%.It is estimated that e-waste generation will reach 52.2 million tonnes per annum by 2021. Presently,only 15% of e-waste is recycled.One of the most significant constituents of e-waste is plastics,accounting for almost for 20% of it.Despite several technological developments,their recycling is largely hindered due to presence of flame retardants.In this paper,we review some of the notable exiting and emerging technologies such as microfactories being employed for e-waste plastics. Furthermore,we present their limitations,advantages and potential for future development.

Surprising facts on e-waste:

• E-waste is the fastest growing waste on the planet and only 15% of it is recycled.
• Plastics constitute 20% of e-waste.
• Recycling of -waste plastics is hampered due to presence of brominated flame retardants.
• Traditional process are proving to be insufficient for e-waste plastics recycling.
• Microfactories can convert e-waste plastics into value added products.