HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT: E-WASTE— A CRITICAL REVIEW

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT: E-WASTE— A CRITICAL REVIEW

ABSTRACT

Millions of electronic components, ranging from out-of-date computers to broken television sets are dumped in landfills, while others recycled domestically or exported from the industrialized world to the developing world for valuable metal extraction. The dumping and recycling of old electronics is now being called “E-waste.” Improper disposal of “E-waste” can create personal health and environmental problems particularly for developing countries across the Asia and Near East (ANE) Region. E-waste contains significant quantities of hazardous waste, including lead, mercury and cadmium. But to date, industry, government and consumers have only taken small steps to deal with this looming problem. This paper makes the following recommendations for how affected nations should deal effectively with E-waste. They include:
1. The first and most important solution to the E-waste crisis involves getting the poisons out.
2. The most toxic materials should be phased out.
3. The problem should be solved at the manufacturing source and the removal process should be consistent with the Basel Ban Amendment decision by the Basel Convention.
4. A distinction must be made between design for recycling and design for long-life.