What is the real meaning of e-waste?
E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their “useful life.” Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled.
Why is e-waste dumped in Ghana?
The Agbogbloshie dump is a result of the world’s increasing demand for electronic equipment as consumers continually upgrade their devices and throw out the older ones. A significant proportion of this electronic waste is sent, often illegally, from the West to developing countries across Africa and Asia.
Why e-waste is important?
E-waste is a rich source of metals such as gold, silver, and copper, which can be recovered and brought back into the production cycle. There is significant economic potential in the efficient recovery of valuable materials in e-waste and can provide income-generating opportunities for both individuals and enterprises.
What is e-waste give examples?
Examples of e-waste Consumer electronics;(Television, Mobile, DVD Players etc.) Office electronics;(Laptop, Projector, Scanner, Printer, Copier etc.) Lighting devices (Incandescent Lamp, Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lamp, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) Lamp etc.) Power tools (Air compressor, Hammer Drill etc.)
Is e-waste burned?
The e-waste that is not commercially viable is dumped or burned. Thus, workers and others in the community, including children, are exposed through inhalation of fumes, ingestion of dust, contact with water and soil, and other pathways.
Can e-waste be hacked after it is thrown away?
Answer: 1. E-waste hacking emerges as a response to the designed obsolescence of electronic devices and operates by repairing and reusing discarded and obviated technologies. Waste is the object of hacks as well as the material condition of their possibility.
How much waste does Ghana produce?
In Ghana, about 12,710 tons of solid waste is generated daily, with only 10% collected and disposed of at designated dumping sites [13, 14]. A major challenge in the management of solid waste in Ghana is the collection and disposal process, which are labor-intensive and often not effective.
Why is electronic waste a problem?
There are also problems with toxic materials leaching into the environment. These practices can expose workers to high levels of contaminants such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, which can lead to irreversible health effects, including cancers, miscarriages, neurological damage and diminished IQs.
How big is the e waste area in Ghana?
Agbogbloshie’s E-waste area covers almost a square kilometre strewn with a wide variety of electronics and smoking fires of burning waste. It seems surprising that a country as poor as Ghana – where the average monthly income per family is only $110 – collects this many electronics.
Is the e-waste problem a global problem?
The e-waste problem could expand into a global health crisis, largely affecting urban areas, if not addressed. “E-waste is a growing global challenge that poses a serious threat to the environment and human health worldwide,” said Stephan Sicars, an environmental director at the UN Industrial Development Organization.
Where does electronic waste come from in the world?
The Agbogbloshie dump is a result of the world’s increasing demand for electronic equipment as consumers continually upgrade their devices and throw out the older ones. A significant proportion of this electronic waste is sent, often illegally, from the West to developing countries across Africa and Asia.
How is e waste harmful to the environment?
“E-waste is an extremely dangerous kind of ordure”, explains Iryna Labunska, radiation safety advisor for Greenpeace. “Electronics are full of toxic chemicals and metal leads that people not only breathe in, but that also contaminates the water, the soil and thus the food chain.