Garbage west
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Electronic waste disposal is a growing problem, as current methods like landfilling and incineration release toxic materials into the environment. Developing countries receiving exported e-waste handle it improperly without protections, exposing workers to contamination. The document proposes redesigning electronics and disposal processes to simplify safe deconstruction, educating consumers, and using automated sorting to curb environmental impacts while monitoring contamination levels near sites.
Garbage west
- 1. Methods of Safe and Clean Electronic Waste DisposalPresented by:Daniel Werntz
- 2. Background InformationElectronic waste in one of the fastest growing streams of waste in the worldComputers account for 50 million tons of waste annuallyCurrent Disposal MethodsIncinerationAcid BathsLandfills
- 3. The state of thingsElectronics contain over 1000 different materials, many of them toxicIn the US, end of life electronics end up in landfills or are exported to developing countriesDeveloping countries are the worlds dumping grounds for electronic waste
- 4. Why is this a problem?Landfill disposal allows heavy metals to leach into ground waterIncineration makes hazardous material airborneAcid baths are dangerous and cause water and soil contaminationExported materials are handled improperlyMost e-waste goes to China, India, and AfricaWorkers are untrained and uneducated in safe handling of electronic wasteNo environmental protection laws
- 5. Environmental ImpactsStudies conducted in China discovered heavy contamination in e-waste recycling regionsSoil, air, water, and sediments all contained high levels of contaminationTrace metals (Lead, Zinc, Nickel, Copper, Mercury, and Cadmium)Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolycyclic Aromatic HydrocarbonsDioxins
- 6. MethodsRedesign of computer componentsSimplification of the deconstruction processConsumer EducationEasy to access information about where to dispose of unwanted electronicsUpdated Sorting MethodsAutomated sorting processes
- 7. MethodsSamples taken of soil, air, and water in areas surrounding disposal sitesTaken before the test is begun and once a week every week after the startThis will be considered a success if contamination levels are the same or lower than the initial samples
- 8. Desired ResultsThe purposed methods aim to:Reduce export of e-waste to developing countriesReduce the release of hazardous materials during recycling and disposal