The Global Electronic Waste Crisis

Many people are aware of the environmental harms of pollution. However, pollution comes from different sources, each with different hazard levels. One of the most hazardous is e-waste which comes from the phone, laptop, or tablet you are using to read this blog post.

What is Electronic Waste?

E-waste essentially is any device that is thrown into landfills without properly being disposed of. For example, the battery within a laptop leaks chemicals that could seep into the soil and infect ground water. It could also contaminate soil used for agricultural purposes (mostly common with run-off water). Some of the most common chemicals in our electronic devices that are detrimental for the environment are:

• Mercury
• Lead
• Beryllium
• Brominated flame retardants
• Cadmium

We throw out approximately 40 million tonnes of electronic waste a year and most ending up in landfills. Americans throw out approximately 416,000 mobile phones each day, according to 2014 figures from the EPA. In Brazil alone, 2.1 million tonnes of electronic waste was thrown away in 2019. Experts say by 2030, our electronic waste number will be in the 74 million ton range.

Why is E-waste Harmful?

According to the World Health Organization, electronic waste affects millions of children. In developing countries, e-waste is an expanding issue that requires immediate attention. For example, a pregnant mother exposed to PAHs – compounds released due to incomplete burning of gas, oil, and coal – could be risking the life of her unborn child. Lead exposure from incomplete recycling also carries risks. As WHO outlines, some health risks from e-waste which affect children include:

• negative birth outcomes, including stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight
• significantly reduced scores for neonatal behavioural neurological assessments
• risk of ADHD
• Behavioural problems, including temperament 
• Problems with sensory integration
• Lower scores in cognition and language

The Movement to Reduce E-waste

A few years ago, WHO organized a Children and Digital Dumpsite call-to-action in an attempt to ensure the environmentally safe disposal of e-waste. The initiative also sought to ensure the safety of the workers and their families. WHO encouraged tech companies to look into creating more durable and reusable electronic materials.

“Children and adolescents have the right to grow and learn in a healthy environment, and exposure to electrical and electronic waste and its many toxic components unquestionably impacts that right,” said Dr. Maria Neira, the Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at WHO. She pointed to a need for leadership, research, and advocacy in the health sector to influence policy-making decisions and engage communities. Spreading awareness is key.

What You Can Do

Some ways you can help are:

• Educate yourself on how to safely/properly dispose of any electronic waste
• Keep electronics out of landfills by giving old phones to family members or others
• Teach others in your community, especially youth

Conclusion

At Green Schools Green Future, we honour the global commitment to sustainability and seek to protect our beloved earth for future generations. All computers at our school will be recycled or reused.