Time To Wake Up – E-Waste & Its Consequences For The World

There are some issues and problems that always come in the way of data destruction processes and electronic recycling everywhere. Electronic waste is abbreviated as "e-waste" but the problem cannot be shortened in a similar manner. The computers that we use, the television sets, radios, refrigerators, numerous valuable gadgets and laptops and similar items that we consume regularly and make use of daily comprise the electronic waste that we produce every year. If e-waste recycling and data drive destruction is not performed in a safe and environment-friendly manner, it could lead to devastating consequences for humanity.

It is important to understand how the e-waste scenario across various continents has shaped up recently and what all risks we are exposed to if we do not pay attention to the rising problem of electronic waste around the world.

Production Leading To Wastage- How Our Most Valued Possessions Become Useless

The global electronics manufacturing industry is among the largest and the most innovative industries known to mankind. Each year we produce millions of tons of electronic items and a significant portion of these are imported and exported back and fro between countries. After these electronic items conclude their useful life, they become a mass of complex waste which is very difficult to get rid of. They consist of several heavy metals and toxic chemicals that also include acids and non-degradable plastics. You can easily find chemicals such as mercury, lead and aluminum, and many other items such as circuit boards and wires that can be very difficult to handle when they are discarded by the end user. The speed and frequency with which we are discarding our electronic gadgets have nearly doubled in the past 10 years or so. We are exposing not just our loved ones but everyone around the world to several carcinogenic chemicals and hazardous substances. These can lead to severe inflammation and respiratory as well as skin related diseases. The smoke and carbon particles that are produced upon burning any such materials are considered among the most dangerous forms of chemicals by experts. According to an independent study, more than 65% of the e-waste that is produced globally reaches China and the rest of it is exported to countries like Africa and India.

All of this is happening because we as end consumers are not able to stick to a few electronics for at least 3 or 4 years. The constant need to keep on updating our electronics practically every year has led to the massive production of these electronic items in the first place. The trend of owning and using the most fashionable and advanced devices has proven to be dangerous for our planet and the many residents of it including us.

E-Waste Scenario In America, China And India

These countries are the biggest consumers of electronic items as per several surveys and studies conducted by the leading electronic recycling companies and manufacturing hubs alike. According to the Basel Action Network, which was formulated for the prevention of globalization of toxic chemicals, close to 76% of the electronic waste which is collected by the US is exported to countries like China and India, Pakistan, Taiwan and many nations of Africa as well. E-waste recycling and disposal is a very complicated process but can be made a little easier and faster if you are able to employ cheap labor which is readily available in countries such as China, India and Pakistan. The result is that their economy and ecological system are getting polluted because of this one practice of exporting e-waste overseas. Now these countries have banned the import of e-waste and solid plastics from developed nations which is making it increasingly difficult to handle the rapidly mounting quantities of e-waste around the planet.

We are fast reaching a saturation point from where there will be no return if we are not able to slow down the production of e-waste or probably find a better way of re-utilizing and repurposing the same. The only way out of this mess that we have created for ourselves is to watch our spending habits so that excessive production of these electronics gets discouraged. Another way of saving our planet is to spread awareness about this issue of e-waste management so that the seepage of toxic substances and chemicals into our environment can be prevented.