E-Waste Management Case Study

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in the development of management to improved environmental viability of the industry (Greene, 1983:80).
A global review of e-waste management indicates that, generally, waste production is high and on the rise, mainly in the realm of IT and communications equipment (Ongondo et al., 2011). India’s dramatic economic growth has largely promoted the domestic market for a variety of electronics, most notably mobile phones, personal computers, televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines. However, upon purchase of new products, most consumers do not know about the proper methods for disposing of the older product. It is estimated that 75% of electronic items are stored due to uncertainty of how to manage it. Thus, unused electronics lie unattended …show more content…

•Large businesses, educational institutions, governments: Office electronics—photocopiers, fax machines, printers, and in particular personal computers—form the large chunk of e-waste generated by this segment of users. Leasing agreements directly with the producers of EEE are common, and therefore they often do not directly dispose of their e-waste, instead preferring producers to take back their equipment at the end of the contract and replace them with upgrades.
Original Equipment Manufacturers: Waste arising during the manufacturing process due to defective components or sub-optimal quality. Production wastes also occur along the upstream supply chain at every stage, which may be individual compo- nents, sub-assemblies or semi-finished products. Another source of e-waste from original equipment manufacturers is from product recovery and refurbishing …show more content…

Our electronic waste is filled with a veritable cocktail of toxic materials. Unfortunately, when this e- waste is not recycled and simply thrown out with the ordinary garbage, ultimately ending up in landfill, it means both human health and the environment are at risk. A report by Environment Victoria and Total Environment Centre, Inc. entitled “Tipping Point: Australia’s E-Waste Crisis/2009/Update”states the following effects from materials found in ewaste.
Lead. This toxic material has a well-documented history of negative health affects including brain damage, hence it’s removal from paints and petrol. The introduction of lead to the food chain and atmosphere (through lead combustion) are the primary causes of health problems in humans. Lead in the environment disrupts the natural functions of water and soil systems.

Mercury. Mercury has a toxic affect on both human and environmental health. A small amount now exists in every household light-bulb (the new energy efficient CFLs), if these light-bulbs are crushed as part of the waste transfer process the elemental form of mercury is easily transferred into local environments. Once in landfill and combined with organics, anaerobic breakdown takes place leading to the production of highly toxic

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