Electronic Waste Management
Waste Management Kit (Brochure)Our kit is actually a brochure with relevant information regarding Electronic Waste.It is accompanied with pictures to make it more interesting and eye-catching.It is a short summary of our findings about Electronic Waste.
Use of the KitOur aim of the brochure is to educate people on most aspects regarding electronic waste.It is easy to read, informative and relatively easy for people to understand.It contains much information regarding Electronic Waste, from what is it to how the world handles it.
What is Electronic Waste?It refers to discarded or unwanted electronics (E.g. mobile phones, television sets).These contain hazardous substances (E.g. mercury, lead, cadmium and other complex compounds).It is hard to dispose of because of these substances.
How are Electronic Waste generated?
First Method of treating Electronic WasteIncinerationElectronic waste incinerated in special plants at high temperatures (900-1000C)Slag and ashes obtained usually placed in landfillsMay release harmful gases that escape filtersPoorer countries do not have the technology to incinerate e-waste properly. The workers are usually exposed to dangerously high amounts of e waste.
Second Method of treating Electronic WasteCritical components (e.g. light bulbs and batteries) are removed.Remaining items are shredded to small pieces, sorted and further shredded. Light materials are disposed in an eco-friendly way. Magnets separate ferrous metals (e.g. steel and iron) from the waste.Nonferrous metals are separated from waste via Eddy Current separator, and sorted via density sifters. Plastic is separated from glass using water. The raw materials can then be resold.
RecyclingSecond Method of treating Electronic WasteRecycling is relatively costlier than other ways of waste management.
Workers who do not wear protective gear during recycling may also be exposed to dangerous amounts of hazardous substances.
Some workers in poorer countries often do not go through the entire procedure and may just attempt to extract metals by burning the waste, generating harmful gases which are very lethal.
Third Method of treating Electronic WasteLandfillingElectronic waste is buried in specified landfills that prevent contamination of ground water.Any leachate collected is treated.Often combined with incineration to maximize space in landfills.
Fourth Method of treating Electronic WasteOpen Dumping
Waste is dumped on open lands which has no special features.
Harmful toxins from e-waste may seep into the ground and contaminate ground water.
Impact of Electronic Waste on People and EnvironmentHazardous substances in e-waste can escape treatment plants and accumulate in environmentIt can contaminate water bodies which may affect the eco-system (high level of mercury in fish which may cause them to die)Long term breathing in of harmful fumes released from incineration can cause severe lung, brain, kidney damage and even death. Various types of cancer can also be caused due to extended exposure.Contaminate water supplies due to leakage in landfills
Waste Management in SingaporeNEA issues licenses to agencies to manage Electronic Waste on conditions that:Agency has appropriate Electronic Waste management facility owned wholly by them.Agency has emergency action plan to clear up Electronic Waste if accidentally released.Stringent measures ensure that Electronic Waste is properly managed.
Emergency waste management solutionUp to date, there is no real effective emergency solution to clear up the Electronic Waste accidentally released except manually (using machines or hand).After all, many countries practise open dumping which is deliberately releasing e-waste into the environment.Unlike radioactive and biological waste, E-waste is not much of a threat to humans living in the vicinity in the short term. It is only when humans expose themselves to the hazardous substances (e.g. by breathing fumes), then are they a threat.
Thank You!Q & A
