Electronic waste (e-waste) is modern society's elephant in the room. It is not difficult to notice- a quick think back to one's electronic history usually reveals several cell phones, televisions, mp3 players, and other formerly used electronic devices. I know that I have three phones, many game systems, and a few Ipods that have long been out of use. The attitude of the culture is to instantly pursue the next phone upgrade as soon as it comes out. People wait in lines for days to be the first ones to purchase a new Iphone and other devices. Also, new devices are being upgraded so quickly that people may be buying a new phone yearly. This does not even mention the extra phones that one may have to buy when their old ones break. Soon enough, even the most patient and careful of electronic device owners is buying a new phone or tablet every few years. Will people just continue this trend for the rest of their lives? Pretty soon, these devices begin to stack up, and what do we do about it? We get more electronics, ignoring the problem. Before we know it, we go from filling cans of e-waste to filling landfills of the stuff. Then what happens when the landfills fill up? This equation is not a winning one for the world- all these factors add up to about 20-50 million tons of e-waste produced each year.
Many of these issues are common predicaments shared with all garbage and man-made waste. However, e-waste is special in the fact that certain chemicals from e-waste are particularly dangerous. Many substances in e-waste can become very hazardous when added to an environment. Effects of this can lead to disease for humans, as well as a major disruption to the ecosystem. Arsenic can cause skin disease as well as lung cancer. Barium can damage the heart, liver, and spleen. Mercury causes brain and liver damage. There are countless other dangerous chemicals, and many of them spread through the air. Thus, every electronic device thrown away makes the world a little more dangerous place.
Note: Here is the info for the chemicals: http://ewasteguide.info/hazardous-substances
What is the solution to this world-threatening issue? Well, there may be no panacea that will solve this whole complicated problem. However, recycling could be a huge help to limiting the e-waste. It is currently possible to recycle your waste, but it is ineffective and not widely done. Often, people do not even know how to recycle their goods. It is not like a truck comes and picks up the waste. Even if people do attempt to find out how to recycle, they may have to pay in order to recycle larger items such as televisions. Recycling needs to become more easily accessible. Without this, it will never become more widespread. I think that the technology companies should head this front. They should make campaigns to raise awareness about e-waste, and make recycling a common occurrence. Also, technology companies need to further utilize recycling goods. This may be possible with new advancements such as this 3D printer based on e-waste: http://3dprintingindustry.com/2015/01/21/tanzania-e-waste-3d-printers/
This device allows for companies to use the recycled waste for raw material to be used to print other goods. This would not only make great used of the e-waste, but also sharply reduce the price of the products that are made with the printer. This is not only a great advancement for the environment, but also a great economic one as well. Research such as these can greatly help the world overcome the problems presented by the gluttony of e-waste that we produce every day.
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