E-waste is the most rapidly growing segment of the solid waste stream. E-waste contains many valuable, recoverable materials such as aluminum, copper, gold, silver, plastics, and ferrous metals. In order to conserve natural resources and the energy needed to produce new electronic equipment from virgin resources, electronic equipment can be refurbished, reused, and recycled instead of being land filled. E-waste also contains toxic and hazardous materials including mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, chromium, and chemical flame retardants, which have the potential to leach into our soil and water.
Consequences of Improper E-Waste Handling & Recycling
E-waste when disposed off or recycled improperly, can cause severe environmental pollution and adversely affect the human body as they contain excess of toxic chemicals like mercury, polybrominated flame retardants, barium, lithium and PVC. The common process of burning of e-waste in informal e-waste recycling and disposal facilities releases toxic gases into the atmosphere, causing severe air pollution. Besides that, poor recycling and improper disposal of e-waste leads to a lot of pollutants such as heavy metals like cadmium, lead and persistent organic pollutants to be released into the atmosphere, which further pollutes the eco-system and causes health hazards.
Alternately the practice of dumping of e-waste into landfills as followed by the informal e-waste recycling eventually makes the hazardous and toxic components of e-waste seep into the eco-system including the regional water tables, causing soil pollution and contaminating the water table. Such contamination will affect nearby communities in an adverse manner for much longer time.
Benefits of Recycling e-waste
- Conserves natural resources. Recycling recovers valuable materials from old electronics that can be used to make new products. As a result, we save energy, reduce pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
- Protects your surroundings. Safe recycling of outdated electronics promotes sound management of toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury.
- CSR Advantage: Donating your used electronics benefits your community by passing on ready-to-use or refurbished equipment to those who need it.
- Saves landfill space: E-waste is a growing waste stream. By recycling these items, landfill space is conserved.