Practising e-waste management

EXPERTS describe electronic waste to include electronics destined for re-use, recycling and disposal. Other
are reusable because the leads of surplus electronics are frequently non- recyclable

   Studies have shown that, the high value of the computer recycling subset of electronic waste can help pay the cost of transportation for a large number of worthless pieces than can be achieved with display devices which have less scrap value.

  In 2011, Ghana e-waste country assessment found that of 215,00 tons of electronics imported to Ghana, 30% were brand new and 70% were used. Of the used product, the study concluded that 15% were not reused and were scrapped. Experts say, that 80% of the imports were being banned in primitive conditions.

  In another report, recycling from e-waste to resources, “the quantity of e-waste being produced including mobile phones and computers could rise by as much as 500 percent over the next decade. The United States is the world leader in producing electronic waste, tossing away 3 million tons each year. China already produces about 2.3 million tons domestically, second only to the United States. Despite having banned e-waste imports, China remains a major e-waste dumping ground for developed countries.

  Society today revolves around technology and by the newest most high tech products, we are contributing to large amount of e-waste.

  Report also say, that increased regulation of electronic waste over the environmental harm in mature economies creates an economic disincentive to remove residues prior to export. Also, critics of trade in used electronics maintain that it is still too easy for brokers calling themselves recycles to export unscreened electronic waste to some parts of the country.

  These countries have become toxic dump yards of e-waste. Proponents of international trade point to the success of fair trade programs in other industries, where cooperation has led to creation of sustainable jobs and can bring affordable technology in countries where repair and reuse rates are higher.

  Defenders of the trade in used electronics say that extractions of metals from virgin mining has been shifted to parts of the country. Recycling of gold and other materials from discarded electronic devices are considered better for the environment.

  They also state that repair and reuse of computers and televisions have become a “lost art” in wealthier nations and that refurbishing has traditionally been a path to development.

  Again, opponents of surplus electronics exports argue that lower environment leads to a transfer of pollution-generating activities, while many surplus laptops are routed to developing nations as dumping grounds for e-waste.

 Finally, the processes of dismantling and disposing of electronic waste leads to a number of environmental impacts, both domestic and human in the drinking water process.