By Mara and Claire

What is E-waste? E-waste (electronic waste) comes in many forms and is generated by business’s growing electronic needs. E-waste embraces old computers (PC and mainframe), file servers, monitors, printers, other IT equipment, old telecommunications equipment (mobile and land line telephones and fax machines) and photocopying equipment which are either not in working condition or are so outdated that they would have no future use unless extensively upgraded. Eventually all equipment become so old that they are fit only for recovery of scrap metal values. The rate of generation of electronic waste in Australia is large, and is accelerating. There are about 9 million computers, 5 million printers and 2 million scanners currently in households and businesses across Australia, and all of these will be replaced, most within the next couple of years.

Where does it come from? Households and Small businesses: Electronic equipment and computers are often discarded by households and small businesses, not because they are broken but simply because new technology has left them outdated or undesirable. The useful life-span of most electronic goods has reduced drastically over the past few years. For example, the life of a PC has come down from 4-5 years to 2 years. Often, new software becomes incompatible with older hardware forcing customers to buy new PCs. Large businesses, Institutions and Governments: Large corporate houses and other institutions upgrade employee computers regularly, leading to huge amounts of e-waste. Equipment manufacturers: There are more than 1000 chemicals used during electronics production. The manufacturing of computer chips is especially dangerous. It produces thousands of gallons of toxic. Manufacturing workers and the communities surrounding high-tech facilities are exposed to these toxics and have developed higher rates of cancer, reproductive problems, and illness.

Where does it go? Historically very large volumes of electronic waste have been exported from developed countries (including Australia) to developing countries including China, the Philippines, Thailand and India. In these countries where labour is cheap, and OH&S and environmental standards are low, the labour-intensive disassembly and recovery of valuable metals is more economically viable than in developed countries. However, recently countries such as China and Thailand have stated that they will no longer allow the "dumping" of electronic waste for this type of recycling, and the export of E-waste to such countries is an illegal activity. At e-waste Recyclers all of the equipment we collect is dismantled and recycled locally and our environmentally sound process achieves up to 98% recovery by weight Circuit boards are sent to approved refineries for precious metals recovery, in strict compliance with local, federal and international laws governing the disposal and movement of electronic waste.

How does it affect the environment and the society? There are several health issues associated with the toxins found in the electronic waste generated by obsolete computers and other electronic equipment. A report by Environmental Media Services (2003) stated that electronic products often contain hazardous materials, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. Computer monitors contain 6.3% lead and an EPA study showed that 40% of the lead in US landfills is from discarded electronic products. Lead that accumulates in the environment has highly acute and chronic toxic effects on plants, animals and microorganisms Cadmium and mercury, toxic e-waste components, pose a risk of irreversible health effects in humans. Electronic scrap from the US is shipped to such countries as China, Pakistan, and India, where recycling is done by hand with no protective gear. The drinking water becomes contaminated as a result of glass and cathode ray tubes (which contain lead) being pushed into the rivers. When labourers in these countries incinerate the waste with no protective equipment or clothing, they inhale the polluted air and become physically weak as a result. At the current rate of computer obsolescence, there will be over 300 million tons of e-waste on this planet. Less than 40% of it is being recycled.

BIBLIOGRAPHY waste.doc