2. INTRODUCTION
What is e-waste?
A term used to describe old and discarded appliances which use electricity
Some examples include: fridges, cellphones, computers, and gaming
consoles
Why is it important to know about e-waste?
It is dangerous to deposit into landfills because of the heavy
metals with which they are made
It must be disposed of carefully as if they are held in landfills
these thousands of hazardous materials will create highly toxic
liquids which can run into our waters and ecosystems
Diverting e-waste prevents the release of these toxic materials
into our environment
3.
4. HOW MUCH E-WASTE IS THERE?
According to Statistics Canada, in 2004, Canadians
disposed of 10,245 tons of electronics and by 2012
this number skyrocketed to 71,396
Overall, each year more than 20 millions tons of e-
waste is produced
For context, if you put every blue whale alive today on
one side of a scale and one year of US e-waste on the
other, the e-waste would be heavier
5. WHY IS THERE SO MUCH E-
WASTE?
The rapid development of technology
Companies are continuously developing new technology and versions of their
electronics
Constant competition drives these companies to discover new trends and
updates
18 months is the
lifespan of the
average Canadians
cellphone
Products are developed quicker and cheaper
This results in a shorter usage time because of lower quality materials
Allows companies to make greater income faster and increases repeat sales
6. PROS
Economy growth
Companies have higher sales
New innovations create repeat customers
International trade improves because of the need for cheap materials
Makes lives easier
Technological advances
Allows consumers to repurchase instead of repair
Provides a way most tasks to be performed in a quicker, easier
manner such as electronic ordering at fast food restaurants
7. CONS
Environmental destruction
Filling of landfills
Soil is contaminated with lead, mercury, and cadmium
Negatively affects natural habitats and animals
Water contamination
Causes “toxic soup” which occurs when hundreds of toxic
chemicals mix together and seep into our water supply
Destroys sea life and created ocean dead zones
Causes debris to be floating and collecting in major water
pathways
8. CONS CONTINUED…
Illegal disposal of e-waste
According to the UN, up to 90% of the worlds e-waste is illegally
dumped
E-waste is typically dumped or traded throughout the world as it
holds many valuable scrap metals such as gold and silver
It is falsely declared as secondhand-goods and shipped from
developed to developing countries
Health Impacts
Many children and vulnerable populations within these developing
countries are exposed to high volumes of e-waste
High exposure to these chemicals results in:
birth defects
nose bleeds
cancer
thyroid damage
9.
10. WHERE IS OUR WASTE NOW?
60% of our e-waste is wasted
Most of our waste is discarded in landfills as many people do not
know how to properly recycles these materials
30% of our e-waste is lost
Many of our recycled materials cannot be reused
We are throwing away too much meanwhile there
are not enough recycling organizations
Many of our e-waste is shipped to China as it collects 56% of the
worlds waste
China dismantles many electronics and uses dangerous methods
such as low temperature burning to get rid of these materials
11. WHERE SHOULD WE RECYCLE OUR
E-WASTE?
In Canada we have various municipal, non-profit, and other
places or events to drop off your used electronics
Some companies pay a fee for each electronic device sold, then
they are able to drop off unwanted electronics at e-waste drop off
centers
E-waste is then disposed of in an environmentally sound manner
Some places include:
Habitat for Humanity
Best Buy
Waste Management of Canada Corp.
Find your drop-off locations here at this helpful little diddly:
http://www.recyclemyelectronics.ca/on/drop-off-locations/
12. CONCLUSION
As a society, we should spend more time and
money on finding an more economical and
environmentally friendly way to dispose of our
electronic waste
Electronics should be built to last and be easily
reparable
This should be a governmentally regulated
program to ensure the materials are disposed of
legally and sustainably
