E-Waste

The most important reason to care about e-waste is that it’s being generated at an alarming rate. Presently, e-waste generation is occurring at an accelerated speed and the effects are quite enormous. E-waste is not just a problem within the American state but rather a global crisis that must be addressed.

Ongondo et al, (2011), claims that there are about 40 million of tonnes of e-waste is being produced worldwide. This includes more than 5% of the total municipal solid waste. This has resulted in an e-waste crisis which has turned out to become a huge problem. Actually, the problem does not originate from the considerable amount of e-waste but it’s the toxic materials contained in these electronic wastes that cause such problems. There are hundreds of different toxic materials used in the manufacturing of these electronics and their components. As a result of these toxic materials, e-waste has become the leading source of pollution across the world. These materials are hazardous and pretty severe. They can cause serious health problems with common ill health ranging from increased cancer chances, serious reproductive issues, and developmental disorders.

It is for this reason that we need to have well-structured regulations put in place to ensure e-waste safe handling and disposal. All stakeholders ought to become interested in combating this crisis. Educating the e-waste generators about the negative effects of these materials will help in combating this problem. Convenient means of disposal will be of the essence as it will encourage the public to take the right course of action thus resulting in a reduction in poor e-waste disposal. It is the role of every individual to ensure that they are good stewards of their environment.  

References

            Ongondo, F. O., Williams, I. D., & Cherrett, T. J. (2011). How are WEEE doing? A global review of the management of electrical and electronic wastes. Waste management, 31(4), 714-730.