Electronic Waste By: Brenna Zaplatynsky, Sylwia Dutka, Hannah Blackwell, Katey Bergstrom

Introduction Electronic waste describes electrical or electronic devices being discarded. Many electronic have harmful chemicals in them such as beryllium, cadmium and lead, that may cause serious health and pollution problems. Many developed countries export their E-waste to undeveloped countries where they are less able to process the waste. At least half of the E-waste in America is disposed of in this way. A boy in Ghana burning wires to get to the copper and aluminum inside.

Human Impact Electronics were made by humans, and we dispose of them improperly. Many people aren't aware that electronics can be recycled or how to otherwise dispose of them Our increasing dependence on electronics is taking its toll on the environment it is our responsibility to fix it. However no one is taking the initiative to combat this problem, and many aren’t aware that there is a problem. Without human influence, the situation cannot change. A man in an Asian electronic garbage dump

Solution 1 Limit the amount of hazardous materials in electronics such as cadmium, lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium. Pass laws that restrict the amount of hazardous materials that are allowed in electronics, such as the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of California. A problem that might result would be that the electronics wouldn’t work as well without the hazardous materials. An advantage of this solution would be that less hazardous materials would be produced and discarded. Computer monitor shells lying in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

Solution 2 Recycle electronics instead of throwing them away. Electronics can be recycled at most electronics stores. When electronics are sent to recycling facilities they are disposed of properly, the hazardous materials in the electronic are taken out and not exposed to the environment. A disadvantage of this is that people don’t know that electronics can be recycled or care enough to bring their electronics to the necessary places. An advantage would be that the hazardous materials in the electronics wouldn’t leach into the environment.

The Best Solution The best solution would be a combination of the two. It would be best if electronics didn't have hazardous materials or used less of them. Less of these materials would be produced, thus less of them of having a chance of leaching in to the environment. It would also be good if they were recycled. The materials in the electronics could be reused. Reusing materials uses less energy and money than producing more. Thus it is cheaper and environmentally efficient. If we do not resolve in this way the E-waste will continue to build to larger amounts and intoxicate the environment to higher levels. A pile of E-waste in Agbogbloshie, Ghana.