Suggested by OTA, "Green Products by Design: Choices for a Cleaner Environment," Material Extraction Material Processing ManufacturingUseWaste Management RecycleRemanufacture Reuse Repair

Switch to new technology Switch to digital TVs, leading to redundant analogue TV's People are upgrading mobile phones, computers and it’s equipment more frequently Planned obsolescence This idea is becoming popular among the major electronic companies especially Apple, to make profits by reducing the life span of the product. This make a consumer by the product frequently. Cost The cost of replacing an electronic item is cheaper than repairing it. Expensive disposal The high toxicity of electronic waste makes its safe disposal expensive, in countries with strict environmental regulations. Hence most of e-waste is sent off to third world countries.

Landfills are problematic because toxic chemicals can leach into surrounding soils and water. Although there is disagreement regarding the reality of this concern, many European countries have already outlawed the practice. The problem acute in developing countries, however, where people are more likely to live in close proximity to a landfill.

It releases heavy metals and highly toxic fumes into the air, which cause respiratory and skin problems to those exposed. In developing countries where organized trash collection is often absent, it is typical for people to burn garbage in their backyards or neighbourhoods.

Solution ReduceReuse Recycle Respond

HP Recycling Procedures Apple Design Practices Dell Trade-ins Apple Design Practices Office Depot Cartridge Refills Gateway Rebates

BC’s main company is Teck and they safely dismantle all e-waste they collect. They even smelt some of the metals. All the Vancouver Olympic Medals were made out of the metals extracted from e-waste.

Content (% of total weight) Weight of material in computer (kg) UseLocation Plastics InsulationCable, Housing Lead Metal joiningFunnel glass in CRTs, PWB Aluminium Structural, Conductivity Housing, CRT, PWB, connectors Iron Structural, Magnetivity Housing,CRTs, PWBs Silver0.0189< 0.1ConductivityConductivity/PWB, connectors Copper ConductivityCRTs, PWBs, connectors Gold0.0016< 0.1Connectivity, Conductivity Connectivity, conductivity/PWB, connectors

Computer Equipment Computer monitors$12 Desktop computers$10 Printers/printer combinations $8 Laptop/Notebook$5 Televisions 18-inch screen and smaller$15 19-inch to 29-inch screen$20 30-inch screen to 45-inch screen $30 46-inch and larger screen$45

The open burning of e-waste materials in Guiyu. A child playing in his “backyard” filled with destroyed computers and toxic sludge

United States Laws Concerning E-Waste