GREEN
Out with the Old:
Recycling Your Property’s Used Electronics By: Bill May As technology advances, so does the amount of electronic waste (e-waste) produced each year. In fact, it is estimated that the electronic waste generated worldwide will grow to nearly 75 million tons per year by 2030. At a 30 percent increase over the span of 10 years, that’s a lot of electronic waste! In this article, we will discuss the challenges posed by electronic waste and how large corporations and organizations can recycle their old electronics through an e-waste recycling program.
14
Insight • Issue 2, 2022
What are the challenges posed by electronic waste? The challenges posed by electronic waste are multifaceted. They include the following:
Damage to the Environment First and foremost, electronic waste is damaging to the environment. When electronic waste ends up in landfills, it leaches harmful toxins and chemicals into the ground and water. This can lead to soil and water contamination for the surrounding area. Another alarming realization is that the toxic contaminants in e-waste are also a significant contributor to air pollution. Not only does this impact the quality of life for humans, but it also can be devastating to local ecosystems. Once the pollutants make it into the air, they can be carried for long distances, impacting areas that are far from the original source of pollution.
Harmful to Human Health In addition to being damaging to the environment, electronic waste is also dangerous for humans. The toxins and chemicals present in e-waste can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory issues, skin irritation, headaches, and even cancer. These health problems can be especially prevalent for the communities located near electronic waste disposal sites.
A Burden on Developing Nations Harmful electronic waste is often exported to developing nations where it is disposed of in unsafe ways. This creates a burden on these countries, as they lack the infrastructure and
resources to deal with the e-waste in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Unfortunately, this has led to an overload of waste in these countries, causing environmental and health problems for the residents.
A Growing Problem As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the electronic waste problem will only continue to grow. With the rapid advancement of technology, electronic devices are becoming outdated at an ever-increasing pace. This results in more electronic waste being produced each year, further exacerbating the problem.
Lack of Awareness One of the biggest challenges posed by electronic waste is the lack of awareness surrounding the issue. Unfortunately, the general public isn’t aware of the environmental and health hazards associated with electronic waste. As a result, they do not take steps to recycle their electronic waste properly. This contributes to the growing problem of electronic waste and makes it difficult to find solutions that will effectively address the issue.
What is Electronic Recycling?
Electronic recycling is often defined as the process of recycling electronic waste in a way that minimizes the negative environmental and health
