Thursday, February 23, 2012

Intricacies of Electronic Waste Management

E-waste is informal designation for electronic waste, or electronic goods that have reached their end of use. Electronic waste is considered harmful, because some of its components contain material that poses danger to the environment and its human inhabitants, especially as it decomposes. This factor though, depends upon both the density and condition of these electronic waste products. Photocopier disposal and recycling, as well as that of such other waste substances ought to be conducted with utmost discretion. If disposed improperly, such products can precipitate release of metallic content such as lead through leaching process. The list comprising these goods is long and goes on to include various electronic items such as fax machines, copiers, cell-phones, electric lamps, televisions, computers, VCRs and batteries and audio devices, among others. It is possible to reuse, refurbish or recycle most of these products, in a way that is friendly to the environment and that will not pose any threat of degradation on it. There is urgent need for appropriate management of E-waste and certain options that are vital may be taken in order to ensure that this takes place.

E-waste has several other informal designatdrforcetions, such as E-scrap, or WEE which stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and refers to any unwanted or broken electronic or electrical device discarded by original users. Another way of looking at E-waste is any electronic product or equipment that is rendered obsolete due to advancement of technology changes in trend and status, as these items approach expiry. The various categories of E-waste include large, small and regular-size house-hold appliances. It also covers information, communication and office equipment, as well as diverse kinds of leisure, sports, toy and recreational items. Automatic issuing machines,scale balance office waste like photocopier hard drive removals, medical instruments and surveillance equipment also comprise this list. Electronic waste can precipitate dire outcomes on the environment that could be widespread too.CR Lithium battery This is because some materials used for manufacturing such electronic products have toxic effects when dumped. Mercury, hexavalent Chromium and Lead are present in these waste goods in some form or another, but usually through Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), capacitors, printed board assemblies, batteries, mercury relays and switches, cartridges, Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), Photocopier cartridges, electrolytes and selenium drums. Apart from leaching of Lead into water sources, CRTs that are crushed and incinerated emit fumes which are toxic when released into the atmosphere. Rechargeable batteries of different kinds can also destroy the environment, when disposed in a care-free manner. Land filling is amongst the most prominent modes of E-waste disposal, where trenches are dug on flat surfaces. After soil has been excavated from them, waste is then poured in and buried with soil again. Incineration is another mode of waste disposal in which disposed goods are passed through controlled complete combustion. Recycling may also be conducted for different electronic appliances and involves dismantling, removal and disposal of hazardous components. Electronic ware may also be reused and photocopier transport and delivery may be done for instance, up to the physical location of reuse.

No comments:

Post a Comment