Introduction
This design report presents an analysis explaining the need for disposing off unwanted electronic devices. The report discusses two business entities; Best buy and Staple, both of which are certified recyclers as required by Environmental Protection Agency, EPA (www.epa.gov). The two entities take it a responsibility to recycle electronic devices bought at their premises and even those not purchased with them. They take it a responsibility to protect the environment without charging any fees on the items presented for recycling.
As shown on the brochure the electronic waste (E-waste) not only affects the environment but also impact negatively on the human health damaging the various tissues of the human body. Recorded facts indicate extensive use of electronic devices by human beings. Without safe recycling, majority of this e-waste end up in the environment poisoning the various resources consumed by human beings hence health complications. This design report aims at informing people on the need for e-waste recycling by illustrating the diverse effects of electronic devices carelessly disposed off. It further presents some of the ways of disposing off the e-waste by business entities.
The report targets anyone who purchases an electronic product for use anywhere either at home or at places of work. The statistics from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) show that in the United States of America every household is estimated to posses 24 electronic products (As cited in EPA website). This is a big increment over the recent years on the electronic product demand. The report will purpose to inform the electronic product users the need for recycling all their products that are no longer in use. It will illustrate to the users the diverse effects of e-waste that is not safely disposed off, both on the environment and on the health of human beings. Then the report will inform the target population on the channels available for recycling their unwanted electronic product.
Facts about the Sources and Handling of E-waste on the environment
The usage of electronic products has increased. Electronics have widely been purchased in the recent times indicating an increment in their usage especially within the past two decades (www.epa.gov). When the electronic products are no longer needed for use by the owners, they become a burden and hence the need for their disposure. Where does this e-waste go afterwards? At times this e-waste ends up in the land fill but according to Staples, “Outdated technology doesn't have to end up in a landfill” (www.staples.com). In the United States of America e-waste is the fastest form of consumer waste.
Heavy metals resulting from discarded electronics fill up the environment. It is 13 percent of the e-waste that is safely disposed or recycled hence threatening with damages to the environment and eventually the health of human being. As illustrated in the brochure-a child holding an unwanted computer keyboard, carelessly disposed e-waste, leads to its exposure to human beings especially children. With this lurking danger of e-waste, what is the wisest action to take about unwanted electronics?
The Damage of E-waste Toxic Components to Human Health and the Way Forward
The Toxic components and their Damage
There is a range of unwanted electronic devices available for exposure. Electronic waste included unwanted simple personal electronic devices, mobile phones, computers and their parts as well as scanners and printers. These devices are made from chemical components that are harmful to the human health as well as the environment. The components are released to the environment when they decompose as a result of unsafe disposal or unavailability of recycling mechanism. When the components are exposed to the surface they poison the soil and water which are utilized by human beings.
Way Forward
The consumers of electronic devices should recycle the e-waste to reduce their negative impact on the human health as well as the environment. According to EPA; “Consumers now have many options to recycle” (www.epa.gov). In the US there are laws requiring every citizen to dispose or recycle unwanted electronics. However, recycling is the best option considering the efficiency of the process regarding protection of the environment.
Electronic business entities offer recycling services for unwanted electronics at no cost. Entities like the Best Buy and Staples allow people to present their electronics for recycling irrespective of where they purchased them. “we'll recycle just about any electronics, including TVs, DVD players,computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more” (www.bestbbuy.com). Recycling reduce the damages that e-waste causes to human beings.
Conclusion
This report has discussed the reason as to why we should dispose off unwanted electronics. The report targets anyone who purchases an electronic product for use anywhere either at home or at places of work. The usage of electronic products has increased. Heavy metals resulting from discarded electronics fill up the environment. There is a range of unwanted electronic devices available for exposure. To determine the damage of the toxic components on the human health various components were matched against the damage on body parts. The consumers of electronic devices should recycle the e-waste to reduce their negative impact on the human health as well as the environment. Electronic business entities offer recycling services for unwanted electronics at no cost. It is important to dispose e-waste and the best way is through recycling.
References
Easy on the Planet | Staples.com®. (2012). Retrieved April 26, 2013, from http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/easy-on-the-planet/recycling-and-eco-services.html
Electronics Recycling (eCycling) | Common Wastes & Materials | US EPA. (2013, March 5). Retrieved April 26, 2013, from http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/index.htm
(2013). Retrieved April 26, 2013, from www.bestbuy.com/site/Global-Promotions/Recycling-Electronics/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025
