E-Waste
What is E-Waste?
What is E-Waste?
Congratulations on your purchase of a new (insert one of the following: computer, printer, or monitor) ________! One quick question – what are you going to do with your old (insert one of the following: computer, printer, or monitor) ________?
The disposal of electronic devices, be they computers, televisions, MP3 players, or cell phones, has become a global environmental problem. Of the devices mentioned, computers and computer peripherals are a prime concern as they are replaced much more frequently than other electronic devices, such as televisions and contain more material than either cell phones or MP3 players. The name given to discarded electronic devices is e-waste.
E-waste is a particular problem, not just because of the increasing volume we are generating (Canadians throw out approximately 3 million computers each year [26]), but because of the hazardous materials and chemicals contained in the products and the impact of these chemicals on the environment and human health when they are improperly disposed of. How toxic is e-waste?
•
A standard CRT monitor contains an average of 1.8kg or 4 pounds of lead
[27],
• Circuit boards have traditionally contained cadmium, beryllium and mercury for use with semiconductors,
• Lead is commonly used for soldering in the production of circuit boards,
• The plastics used in computers often contain hexavalent chromium – a known carcinogen [28].
• According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 50 million metric tons of e-waste are generated globally each year,
• In 2005, the U.S.A. produced 2.6 million tons of e-waste, of which only 12.6% was recycled [29].
• Circuit boards have traditionally contained cadmium, beryllium and mercury for use with semiconductors,
• Lead is commonly used for soldering in the production of circuit boards,
• The plastics used in computers often contain hexavalent chromium – a known carcinogen [28].
• According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 50 million metric tons of e-waste are generated globally each year,
• In 2005, the U.S.A. produced 2.6 million tons of e-waste, of which only 12.6% was recycled [29].
To see a diagram detailing which toxins are in your computer and monitor and for what they are used, you can follow this link to “Toxic Computer,” part of National Geographic’s January 2008 article “High-Tech Trash.” If you think that seems bad, wait until you find out what happens to that non-recycled e-waste.
What happens when you throw away your old computer?
LIBR 500: Foundations of Information Technology, School of Library, Archival and Information Science, University of British Columbia
Neil MacDonald
November 17th, 2008