The High-Tech Revolution E-Waste By Cameron Drummond

Introduction Electronic technology is changing at an extreme rate. This means that technologies become obsolete very quickly and are frequently replaced by new and improved versions of themselves.

E-Waste Les than 12% of old technology is recycled. The technologies that aren’t recycled are often dumped legally in places like China where there are entire communities living on old technology scraps. These old cell phones and computers contain lead and mercury and can cause the inhabitants of these communities to develop cancers.

History In 2006 BC’s Return-It Electronics program was created to manage end of life electronics in BC. All consumers and businesses in BC have access to this program to recycle their old electronics – TVs and computers 2010 – stereos, VCRs, cameras and phones 2011 – small appliances and smoke detectors 2012 – large appliances, tools, toys and lighting

Environmental In BC we are fortunate to have a free and functioning recycling program that handles a large variety of electronic products. Some places are not as lucky as us. The technologies that are not recycled are often illegally shipped to and dumped in countries that have less or no laws against E-waste. These old computers, cell phones and toys all contain harmful substances such as heavy metals, cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic. Exposure to these substances can cause cancer and other illnesses.

Importance This recycling program offers jobs to many people that wouldn’t have them. More importantly though, it keeps a lager amount of E-waste out of land-fills whether it be in BC or an illegal dump site in China.

The Problem The main problem is not E-waste it’s self, but people who don’t responsibly manage it. For companies it is much easier to ship E-waste to poorer countries where there are lower wages and safety regulation for the people dismantling the electronics, therefore it is cheaper.

Environmental Impact Takes advantage of less developed countries Creates waste Often not disassembled properly Creates an unsafe work environment for undertrained staff Releases toxins into the environment

Companies CheapEasy

Solution There is only one solution to this problem. People and companies need to be responsible for their waste and not try and dump it on someone else's country so they have to deal with it, especially when they don’t have the reassess to deal with it. This is not an easy thing to do but it is a problem that must be dealt with.

Sources Reports-Fourth-Quarter-Results.html Reports-Fourth-Quarter-Results.html "Apple (Canada) - Apple Press Info - Apple Reports Fourth Quarter Results." Apple (Canada) - Apple Press Info - Apple Reports Fourth Quarter Results. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015.

More Sources "Internet Users." Number of (2015). N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May computer.htm computer.htm "What Happens to Your Discarded, Old Computer? - HowStuffWorks." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May wastehttp:// waste "E-waste: End-of-Life Electronic Equipment." Recycling Council of British Columbia. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2015.