Environmental Issue E-Waste By: Anthony Tu

Electronic Waste (E-Waste) E-Waste, or electronic waste is the term used to describe old or discarded electric appliances.

Electronic Waste (E-Waste) E-Waste includes old or discarded: Computers Consumer electronics Fridges Ovens Air conditioners Vacuum cleaners

The Effect of E-Waste Electronic equipment contain different hazardous materials which are harmful to both human health and the environment. Inside electronic devices, there contains many chemicals that harm the environment and potentially people who live around the area.

The Chemicals Within Electronic Appliances Exposure to the many toxic chemicals within electronic devices can lead to harm to human health and the environment. These chemicals include: Beryllium Cadmium Dioxins Lead Mercury Polychlorinated biphenyls

Categories of E-Waste There are several categories of appliances that can be classified as electronic waste. This includes: Household appliances Office, Information & Communication Equipment Entertainment & Consumer Electronics Toys, Leisure, Sports and Recreational Equipment

Categories of E-Waste Household appliances: Washing machines Dryers Refrigerators Air-conditioners Vacuum cleaners Toasters Irons etc.

Categories of E-Waste Office, Information & Communication Equipment Computers Laptops Mobiles Telephones Fax Machines Copiers Printers etc.

Categories of E-Waste Entertainment & Consumer Electronics Televisions VCR/DVD/CD players Radios etc

Categories of E-Waste Toys, Leisure, Sports and Recreational Equipment Train sets Treadmills Electronic toys etc

Community Recycling/Environmental Groups Three community recycling/environmental groups are: StEP http://www.step-initiative.org/index.php/Home.html Ontario Recycling Stewardship (OES) http://www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca/ Hamilton Country http://www.hamiltoncountyrecycles.org/index.php?page=computer-and-tv-recycling

StEP E-Waste Group Step uses scientific assessments to create comprehensive view of the social, environmental and economic aspects of E-waste.

StEP E-Waste Group They strive to find more efficient ways to reduce the amount of e-waste.

StEP E-Waste Group They analyze existing approaches for electronic waste and explore possibilities to improve them.

Ontario Electronic Stewardship Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) is a not-for-profit organization that strives to raise awareness for electronic stewardship and properly dispose electronic waste

Ontario Electronic Stewardship The OES accepts old or discarded electronic appliances and disposes them properly to reduce the environmental impact of E-Waste.

Hamilton Country The Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District is an organization responsible for ensuring that the communities achieves the standards for recycling and waste reduction.

Hamilton Country The Hamilton Country group achieves these goals by creating waste reduction programs targeted to communities, businesses, and schools.

What you can do to help There are many ways you can help minimize the negative impact of E-waste such as: Re-evaluate Buy environmentally friendly electronics Reuse electronics

What you can do to help Re-evaluate: Question whether or not a new device is needed. Is there a more power efficient alternative?

What you can do to help Buy environmentally friendly electronics Buy electronics that are environmentally friendly; meaning electronics that: Are made by recycled material Are very energy efficient Have more than one use

What you can do to help Reuse electronics Buy electronics with multiple functions Don’t throw out a device unless absolutely necessary Don’t waste any electronic devices – think of ways you can reuse them

Conclusion All around the world, the amount electronic waste is steadily increasing. But if we work together, we will be able to minimize the amount of E-waste produced each year.

Conclusion To avoid the human health and environmental impacts of E-waste, we must look to become environmental stewards and keep in mind that every time an electronic device is not properly discarded, the world as a whole receives a blow.

Works Cited "6 ways to minimize your e-waste." Sustainability at Harvard. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.green.harvard.edu/tools-resources/how/6-ways-minimize-your-e-waste>. "Computer and TV Recycling." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.hamiltoncountyrecycles.org/index.php?page=computer-and-tv-recycling>. "Home." Ontario Electronic Stewardship. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca/>. "STEP Startseite - STEP." STEP Startseite - STEP. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.step-initiative.org/>. "ewasteguide.info | A knowledge base for the sustainable recycling of e-Waste." ewasteguide.info | A knowledge base for the sustainable recycling of e-Waste. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://ewasteguide.info/>.