Earth is crying for help…
- Climate change is challenging;
- Industrialization and climate change (Garlapati, 2016);
- Technology and climate change;
- Human activities mainly primarily to blame.
Climate change is one of the most challenging concepts of this time. The issue has become extremely urgent due to the ever growing human population. It can be argued that there are various factors that have contributed to the degrading state of earth. Garlapati (2016) explains that apart from the growing human population, one also has to consider the impact of civilization, industrialization, and technology in enhancing climate change. The growth of the economy has largely been influenced by the significant development of different industries. These industries release their waste to the environment. The fact that a majority did not dispose of their wastes properly has led to the current environmental problem.
When Your Tech produces waste…
- Technological advancements have also contributed significantly to climate change.
- Waste is generated in the manufacturing of hardware used in making tech such as computers and phones (Khan, Inamuddin & Asiri, 2020).
- More waste is collected after the hardware devices expire or get spoilt.
- These types of wastes are called e-wastes.
- Contributes to air, water, and land pollution.
- Analyzes the impact of e-waste in the Southern New Jersey community and provides a possible solution for the same.
Arguably, e-waste is one of the largest contributor to pollution right now. Khan, Inamuddin and Asiri (2020) explain that different countries have different indexes on their e-waste management. The essay will specifically look at e-waste management in the US. In particular, the essay will analyze the Southern New Jersey community in regards to the same.
Earth’s fertility is under siege
- E-waste impact on environment.
- Explores land pollution.
- Explains water pollution.
- Instructs air pollution.
- Explains impact of lead.
When lead becomes a culprit
According to UNEP (2020), one of the critical chemicals that are used in electric and electronic devices is lead. The provided infographic is from UNEP (2020) and it shows where lead is used and how it affects life. It is important to note that there are numerous things that have lead in them, such as paints. However, it has been specifically highlighted in this presentation due to the fact that e-waste is growing every day. The poor disposal of the same is also growing. This means that more chemicals are finding their way into soil and water. Lead can stay active for 2000 years, therefore, has disastrous effects on both land and water.
Your Phone is wasting away…
- Waste produced during the manufacturing of hardware.
- Therefore, old computers, phones and tablets are considered e-waste.
- Shipping of e-waste.
- New Jersey requires people to recycle their e-waste by law (Veit & Bernardes, 2020).
New Jersey is one of the few states in the US that have a developed policy on matters e-waste. Veit and Bernardes (2020) explain that the law allows small companies that have less than 50 employees to recycle their electronic waste for free through the e-cycle process. Due to the fact that the focus has been put on businesses, there are people still disposing their e-waste poorly. This has led to some sections of the state having heaps of dumped e-waste while others do not. The video gives more content on the e-cycling law in New Jersey.
The state wants to pick up your e-waste
- DEP recycles e-waste for the general public.
- Manufacturers recycle their left overs.
- Manufacturer’s collection plans developed by state.
Now what?
This infographic is from UNEP (2020). UNEP is charged with issues of climate change and monitoring the health of the environment as a whole. One way they suggest can be used to prevent the negative impacts of e-waste disposal is through extending the life span of the electric and electronic devices. Currently, more electric and electronic devices have shorter life spans due to the speed of changing technology. Secondly, UNEP (2020) argues that recycling through recycling networks is vital. This is ideally what New Jersey has been doing for the last few years, albeit facing challenges. Thirdly, electric devices should be handled with care so that the toxic chemicals that are inside them do not leak. Additionally, this will contribute to the device’s long shelf life. UNEP (2020) also encourages communities to lobby for better policies. This can also be tied to New Jersey as the public has often commented on the e-cycling methods and suggested ways to address the challenges faced.
Linking you and your manufacturer
- DEP picks up wastes and sends them to manufacturers.
- A better solution would be for the manufacturers to deal with the end-user directly.
- Promotes accountability from individual manufacturers of products.
- Manufacturers get back relatively good spare parts for their new devices.
- Removes the element of bureaucracy.
Ideally, this is a better solution due to the fact that the state will easily identify manufacturers who are not picking their e-waste and hold them accountable. The approach connects the manufacturers and the end-users directly. The state will be charged with providing permanent pick-up points for all types of e-waste. The public takes their e-waste to the allocated center and the manufacturers pick the same at a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Another advantage of this solution is that the e-waste is not handled by one person, therefore, each manufacturer gets their devices/waste in a better condition for easier disposal on their end. Arguably, the manufacturers cannot burn the waste. They can, however, use the same as raw materials for their new devices. In doing so, the same raw materials are used and re-used to ensure there is none that negatively affects the environment.
But this is not easy…
There are three main challenges to the suggested solution. The three are:
- Coordination;
- Capital intensive;
- Technological advancements.
The infographic from UNEP (2020) shows the different forms of e-waste. Using this, it is evident that there needs to be significant and effective coordination for the suggested solution to work. The coordination should be done by the state, through respective county offices. They will be in charge of creating schedules for pick up and drop offs as well. It is vital that the public is also aware of the different drop-off points they have for their e-waste. Additionally, proper communication has to be done to ensure the public understands what comprises of e-waste as identified in the infographic. Arguably, setting up the collection points will be capital intensive. Since this will be done by the state, it is expected that it will be funded by taxes. It is important to have at least one recycle collection point per every neighborhood. The fast rate of technological advancements is a challenge as it has contributed to the growth of e-wastes. People tend to want to purchase newer versions of the electric and electronic products they have. For example, iPhone releases a newer more improved version of their phones every other year and people end up replacing their older ones even though they might not be damaged or expired.
Earth is calling on you..
- Governor, earth is calling on you to please establish more recycle collection centers.
- Department of Environmental Protection let us work together to engage better with manufacturers so that they are connected to the end-user.
There are three call to actions that are required to take the solution further. The first is to the state, and it is for the relevant officers to start building more recycle collection centers. There has been a shortage of these, which has also led to the increase in the wrong disposal of e-wastes on land. It is suggested that each neighborhood have its own recycle collection center. This will allow people the chance and ease to recycle their products well. The second call to action still targets the state, which has to reach out to manufacturers and encourage them to pick their own wastes. Therefore, at the collection center, the waste will be divided based on brand. Manufacturers will then be charged with identified days they pick up the waste. The third call to action to for proper communication in order to allow the public to fully understand the concept of e-cycle and how it benefits the environment.
Now that we are here, let us agree…
- E-waste is a big concern all over the world.
- New Jersey has been keen on ensuring proper disposal of all types of waste in the state.
- In regards to e-waste, there is a comprehensive bill on the disposal of the same.
- The state has several e-cycling collection centers where individuals and companies are encouraged to take their e-waste.
- There has been low uptake of the same due to poor communication.
And as we conclude…
- A possible suggestion is to give manufacturers the lead in regards to e-waste collection and disposal.
- Thus, manufacturers pick their brand-associated e-waste from the collection centers.
- A call to action is the increase of the collection centers as they are currently few.
- A second call to action is for the state to let the manufacturers lead the process of collecting their own brands that are part of the e-waste.
References
Khan, A., Inamuddin, & Asiri, M. A. (Eds.). (2020). E-waste recycling and management present scenarios and environmental issues. New York, NY: Springer.
Garlapati, K. V. (2016). E-waste in India and developed countries: Management, recycling, business and biotechnological initiatives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 54, 874-881.
UNEP. (2020). E-waste 2.0: Recycling for sustainability. Web.
Veit, M. H., & Bernardes, M. A. (2020). Electronic waste: Recycling techniques. New York, NY: Springer.