Question by Onceuponalife: What are the Consequences of Recycling E Waste?
What effect would it have on things (e.g. environment, economy, society etc.)
Best answer:
Answer by Ruth
New technology breeds electronic obsolescence, creating a growing e-waste environmental problem. Even electronic waste recycling can have negative environmental impacts.
High Tech Trash by Elizabeth Grossman, published by Island Press in 2006 states “The cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in computer and television monitors contain lead – which is poisonous to the nervous system – as do circuit boards. Mercury – like lead – a neurotoxin, is used in flat-panel display screens. Some batteries and circuit boards contain cadmium, known to be a carcinogen.”
The fact sheet “Electronic Product Management Issues” published by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in February 2002 states “When disposed in landfills, these products have the potential to contribute significant levels of toxic materials to the leachate produced in landfills. These include lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, chromium, and selenium.”
Toxic Tech: Not in our Backyard states “PVC is a chlorinated plastic used in some electronics products and for insulation on wires and cables. Chlorinated dioxins and furans are released when PVC is produced or disposed of by incineration.”
What do you think? Answer below!
Some of the benefits of recycling wastes are they it is being reused and not going to add more waste to the environment. It also, helps reduce energy to reuse then it does to re-create the products. It reduces the consumption of new raw materials, which is the main benefit. Recycling of aluminum saves 95% of the CO2 emissions.
Some of the drawback are that people have to pay for the recycling in some communities. The packaging is wasting resources and energy if the packaging materials cannot be reused or recycled. Also, the excessive packaging wastes natural resources and energy.Many do not realize that it is hazardous. Recycling , also, puts people at risk for contamination. In addition, all recycling procedures use energy, for transportation and processing, and some also use considerable amounts of water. Both of those have enviromental imacts.