United Nations Issues E-waste Warning

 

 

Chris Rodinis
December 10th, 2012

 

 

 

blog.ewastewiz.com
http://www.informationweek.com

 

According to the United Nations the proliferation of electronic waste requires strong management practices to keep workers and the environment out of harms way.

Serious environmental and public health problems have been arising from current recycling practices and the U.N. is speaking out.

The e-waste industry is seeing unprecedented growth due to the sale of so many cell phones, laptops and tablets. This trend will only get worse as developing countries begin to adopt new technology and hardware.

Currently, there is so much e-waste that developing nations cannot keep pace with demand. Furthermore, the demand is expanding and there is no time for developing countries to waste.

According to reports, most of China is still processing e-waste improperly by means of incineration to yield quick gold and silver.

 

 

Incinerate Properly or Not At All!

 

 

Incinerating is the worst form of recycling because the result is a poisoned atmosphere.

When smelting and refining are done in the US, the fumes are filtered and the yield of precious metal is higher.

Each passing day piles of e-waste loom larger and grow larger creating a bigger mess as current methods cause more pollution.

China, India and Africa will all see huge increases in e-waste volumes by several hundred percent.

Across the globe E-waste from cell phones will be 10 times higher in by 2015.

Worldwide, TV E-waste will be doubled by 2015

In 2012 the US will produce about 4 million tons of e-waste and China will produce even more!

These numbers and statistics are what is alarming to the UN. The UN believes this is a very urgent problem that needs to be immediately addressed. In fact, the UN has put out a call to action for all nations to better manage the recycling process. (especially China)

 

 

Recycling Rewards Have Risks

 

 

As the UN noted there are many benefits to proper recycling such as job creation, industry development, import/export growth, recovering valuable metals, and making a trash industry green and sustainable.

The UN believes now is the time to act before it is too late and that this problem can be made into an opportunity.

 

 

In spite of the difficulties and challenges these developing countries now have a mandate.

China has the biggest challenge  because of entrenched business. Other developing countries will be not have to contend with old practices and can start with a new slate.

The UN is suggesting to all these countries to consolidate efforts around a central hub of recycling excellence and then integrate and grow from there.

To learn more about recycling your e-waste, please contact   www.EwasteWiz.com