Executive Summary
This report has being written to motivate users of electronic products to focus on safe disposal of such products. The report investigates how users comprehend the concept of e-waste and what can be done to eliminate such waste. This is because unless one comprehends what constitutes e-waste, such an individual will find it difficult to dispose such waste effectively. The criterion used to formulate this recommendation is that of safe-disposal of electronic products. The investigation method is secondary method that has involved online research on impacts of e-waste. The report is aimed to motivate users and business dealing with electronic products to focus on safe disposal of such products. As such, the report recommends that business and users of electronic products needs to focus addressing e-waste by including the concept of e-waste in their corporate social responsibility strategy. This leads to a conclusion that e-waste pollutes the environment and there is a need for adoption of effective measures to handle e-waste.
Introduction
E-waste is a term that relates to electronic equipment whose “useful life” has elapsed. This may include products like fax machines, copies, stereos, and computers among others. Business dealing with electronic equipment and users of these electronic equipment are the key target audience for the concept of e-waste. However, these groups of individuals rarely comprehend water quantifies e-waste products, whether such products should be considered hazardous, and what one can do to discard electronic products safely. Figure 1 displays an example of e-waste.
Background Information
Technological changes and advancements have occurred rapidly globally. This has contributed significantly to an increment in the amount of electronic waste. E-waste production is estimated to be 50 million tons per annum (see figure 2). Despite this, the recycling rate of e-waste is below 20%. This subjects the rest of e-waste into incinerators and landfills. This leads to loss of scarce and valuable materials to landfills and incinerators, and increment of hazardous materials from e-waste. Nevertheless, there are no agreements in the risks of e-waste.
Need for Information
This information is essential to all users and people who interact with products leading to e-waste. This is because such individuals will comprehend the essence of recycling of these products in order to recover valuable and scarce materials from the products. This includes a reduction in the emission of hazardous materials into the environment. Hence, environment pollution will be reduced significantly and economic savings will occur through recovery of materials. Figure 3 indicates a pictorial view of businesses dealing with electronic products.
Research
This research has being conducted by focusing on the key sources of e-waste and what happens to electronic products after they have reached their obsolete status (figure 4). The research also focuses on the key composition of electronic products; material content.
Criteria
This research is based on the criterion of impact of e-waste to the environment and economy. This criterion was selected since e-waste has to end in the environment and there is a need for a strong emphasis be applied to environment protection by minimizing instances of environmental pollution. Further, there is a need to consider the economic impacts of e-waste since e-waste recycling contributes towards improvement of economic growth in a country.
Conclusion
E-waste contributes towards environment pollution through emission of hazardous materials. This because the composition of materials for e-waste includes chemicals such as manganese (IV) oxide, as such when these compounds decompose they lead to environmental pollution. Gases from decomposing e-waste are harmful to animals, plants, and human beings. Further, failure to recycle e-waste contributes towards loss of scarce and valuable materials to landfills and incinerators. Such materials, which would have being recovered, have to be obtained afresh. This contributes towards straining the economical spending of a country.
Recommendation
E-waste is a common problem that affects citizens, as well as the state, federal, and local governments. As such, all individuals should focus on collaborating towards addressing the issue of e-waste by focusing on recovery of materials in e-waste and recycling of these products. This is essential in improving the economic status of a country. Moreover, collaboration efforts from all stakeholders of e-waste and non-governmental organizations will contribute towards a reduction in the level of e-waste. As illustrated in the appendix, export of e-waste is not a solution. This because developed nations tend to violate international laws by exporting e-waste to developing nations. Instead, each nation should focus on recycling, reuse, and reduction of e-waste.
Works Cited
Greenpeace. Where Does e-waste end up? , 2009. Web. 17 October 2012.
Comparison Tables on E-waste
(Source: Greenpeace. Where Does e-waste end up? , 2009. Web. 17 October 2012.)
