1. Computers and the Environment E-waste in the US

2. E-waste, what is it?

3. Source: Environmental Protection Agency, “Electronics Waste Management in the United States Through 2009”

4. Computers and the Environment Problematic aspects of the production and disposal of computing electronics How corporations and consumers are making better choices to stem the problem Problems with the current solution

5. Two-sided problem: Production Differences between computer industry and others Required materials Disposal Rapid obsolescence Disposal of materials from the manufacturing process Need for recycling

6. Production

7. What Makes the Computer Industry Special Higher grade chemicals 99.995-99.9999% purity Other industries: 90-99% Chemicals used: Benzene Xylene Methyl Cloroform Tetrachloroethane Ethylene glycol Methyl Collosolve

8. Typical Resources Needed for Computer Production

9. Disposal

10. Rapid Obsolescence Computers: Average life-span of 3 years Too small second-hand market Out of sight, out of mind Older materials found to be unsafe: BFR plastics Need for recycling

11. Management of E-waste: Environmental Protection Agency Increases e-waste awareness Facilitates source reduction or waste prevention, including reuse of products. Increases availability of recycling resources

12. Source: Environmental Protection Agency, “Electronics Waste Management in the United States Through 2009”

13. Government Solutions Source: Environmental Protection Agency, “Laws on disposal and recycling of electronics”

14. Source: Environmental Protection Agency, “Electronics Waste Management in the United States Through 2009”

15. Problems with the solution Internal structure of the PC is complex, making recycling difficult Much of the products are exported abroad instead of recycled

17. 3 million tons.

18. Predictions for 2020 Type of e- waste ChinaIndiaSouth Africa Old computers2 – 4 times5 times2 – 4 times Mobile phones7 times18 times- Televisions1.5 – 2 times - Refrigerators2 – 3 times - *In comparison with amounts in 2007

19. 2007 2010 3+ generations 2+ versions

20. Problems with E-waste in China Imported from other countries, a dumping ground Illegal and improper recycling methods

21. Conclusions E-waste is and will continue to be a serious problem Recycling of e-waste is essential for the future governmental agencies recognize this problem, and create incentives to increase recycling Although recycling is a good solution, much care should be taken to enforce strict policies to protect workers as well as the environment

22. Conclusions