Before purchasing a television, MP3 player or cordless phone, do you consider what you will do with it once it breaks down or no longer meets your needs? Consumer electronics generate almost 3 million tons of commodity and electronic waste (or e-waste) each year through the disposal of defective, damaged and obsolete devices. Let’s have a look at what effects e-waste has on your health and the environment and where it ends up once it is tossed out.

Because of the difficulty and cost of recycling electronics, as well as spotty enforcement of legislation regarding e-waste exports, vast amounts of used electronics have been sent to countries such as China, Kenya and India. Lower environmental standards and working conditions make processing e-waste more profitable yet dangerously hazardous in those countries. Being mindful of e-waste disposal is a big concern. There are facilities out there that specifically deal with this hazardous material correctly.

When electronics are handled and sorted properly, e-waste is a valuable source of secondary raw materials. However, they are a major contributor of toxins and carcinogens when clumsily treated. Fast paced technology changes, low initial cost and actual planned obsolescence have given way to a growing problem around the globe. Uncontrolled burning, disassembly without safety measures in place, and haphazard disposal practices are causing environmental and health problems.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 7:02 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.