© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste E-WASTE

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste Vocabulary Exponentially : Something's increasing quickly by large amounts Astounding : Surprisingly impressive or notable Lbs : Measurement unit (pounds) Discarded : Get rid of (someone or something) as no longer useful or desirable Incinerators : An equipment for burning waste material, especially industrial waste, at high temperatures until it is reduced to ash Landfills : The disposal of waste material by burying it Peripheral : Relating to or situated on the edge Carcinogen : A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste What is e-waste? E-waste is a term used to cover almost all types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) that has or could enter the waste stream. Although e-waste is a general term, it can be considered to cover TVs, computers, mobile phones, white goods (e.g. fridges, washing machines, dryers etc), home entertainment and stereo systems, toys, toasters, kettles – almost any household or business item with circuitry or electrical components with power or battery supply.

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste Why is E-waste growing? (1) E-waste is growing exponentially simply because the markets in which these products are produced are also growing rapidly (2) China was the 6th largest ICT (Information and Communications Technology) market in 2006, after the US, Japan, Germany, UK and France (3) This is astounding when one considers that just ten years ago, under 1% of China’s population owned a computer. (4) Rapid product innovations and replacement, especially in ICT and office equipment, are fuelling the increase. (5) Additionally, economies of scale have given way to lower prices for many electrical goods, which has increased global demand for many products that eventually end up as e-waste.

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste 11 Facts about E-Waste to 85% of electronic products were discarded in landfills or incinerators, which can release certain toxics into the air. 2. E-waste represents 2% of America's trash in landfills, but it equals 70% of overall toxic waste. The extreme amount of lead in electronics alone causes damage in the central and peripheral nervous systems, the blood and the kidneys to 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed worldwide every year. 4. Cell phones and other electronic items contain high amounts of precious metals like gold or silver. Americans dump phones containing over $60 million in gold/silver every year. 5. Only 12.5% of e-waste is currently recycled. 6. For every 1 million cell phones that are recycled, 35,274 lbs of copper, 772 lbs of silver, 75 lbs of gold, and 33 lbs of palladium can be recovered.

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste 7. Recycling 1 million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by 3,657 U.S. homes in a year. 8. E-waste is still the fastest growing municipal waste stream in America. 9. A large number of what is labeled as "e-waste" is actually not waste at all, but rather whole electronic equipment or parts that are readily marketable for reuse or can be recycled for materials recovery. 10. It takes 539 lbs of fossil fuel, 48 lbs of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water to manufacture one computer and monitor. 11. Electronic items that are considered to be hazardous include Televisions and computer monitors, LCD desktop monitors, LCD televisions, Plasma televisions, Portable DVD players with LCD screens contain cathode ray tubes

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste Our electronic waste is filled with a veritable cocktail of toxic materials. The following are the effects of materials found in e-waste: Lead : This toxic material has negative health affects including brain damage. Lead in the environment disrupts the natural functions of water and soil systems. Mercury : Mercury has a toxic effect on both human and environmental health. Cadmium : Cadmium is cancer causing to humans. Brominated Flame Retardants : When e-waste is oxidized during smelting, bromine will be released. Beryllium : Inhalation of beryllium or beryllium-containing dust, mist or fume, may cause a chronic lung disorder called beryllicosis in susceptible persons, and beryllium is a probable human carcinogen. Arsenic : Arsenic is classified as a carcinogen. How the materials found in e-waste can affect human health and the environment

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste WHAT CAN INDIVIDUALS DO? Follow the mantra of the 3 Rs-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Reduce: what you do need Reuse: what you can't reduce Recycle: what you can't reuse

© 2015 albert-learning.com E - Waste Reviewed By Reviewed On Comments / Changes Made Vidyesh N.A