Danger signals are sounding about electronic waste due to the consumption frenzy! What can we do to prevent it?
October 31, 2023
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Today is October 31st World Savings Day. When it comes to savings, all eyes are immediately on what we waste the most. Although food and water are actually
Today is October 31st World Savings Day. When it comes to savings, all eyes are immediately on what we waste the most. Although food and water are actually among the most important waste topics, technological waste and considerably more.
Although e-waste only accounts for 1% of the world’s waste, the damage it causes to the soil is many times greater. The figures given show how much waste we waste without thinking. in Turkey and the world e-waste rates Let’s see together what we can do about this.
What does what we call e-waste mean?
Millions of electronic devices are thrown away because they are broken or worn out. All these devices are considered e-waste. The reasons for the increasing amount of electronic waste are the frequent launch of new models and the destruction of electrical and electronic equipment. unnecessary purchaseshort-term innovation cycles, Short lifespan and low recycling rates.
Many products, from toys to small household appliances, fall into the electronic waste category.
Electronic waste generally includes computers, mobile phones and large household appliances. US Environmental Protection Agency divides e-waste into ten categories. This:
major appliances
small household appliances
Information technology equipment, including monitors
televisions
Lamps and fixtures
Toys
tools
medical devices
Monitoring and control tools
automatic dispensers
Distress signals are sounding at the e-waste figures.
This is evident from a report by the United Nations University large and small household appliances are responsible for approximately 60% of all electronic waste It creates. These include ovens, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, dryers, electric stoves and microwaves.
Institutional research on this subject reveals many painful truths. According to the International Forum on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment by 2022 More than 5.3 billion smartphones have been thrown away. This shows that smartphones are the most wasted electronic item after their invention.
The main reason why the figures appear is that consumers have one or two years Routine disposal of equipment and is shown as a replacement.
85% of old devices are thrown away.
Many people have unused cell phones and other worn-out electronic items at home and don’t know what to do with them. Instead, it is stored in drawers or to the landfills is thrown away.
unused in homes in Europe an average of 11 articles is available. Each of them contains five kilos of waste. By recycling the materials it contains, metals can be recovered or reused in the production of other products.
E-waste thrown into the trash not only impacts human health but also public health damage to the environment is given. Therefore, society needs to know how to recycle old electronic devices.
The damage caused by e-waste is like a nightmare.
electronic waste While only 17% is recycled the rest is usually sent to low-income countries. In these countries, unregistered workers, including children, try to extract recyclable materials. Furthermore, they perform these actions in a manner that poses serious risks to their health.
Many electronic devices are exposed to high doses mercury, lead and cadmium Contains. Those who work in waste management carcinogenic exposed to substances. Especially in children and adults, it causes thyroid problems, birth defects, behavioral changes, lung disease and cancer.
Electronic waste not only affects human health, but also affects human health biosphere It also damages your health. Electronic devices contain approximately 60 metals and elements. These metals are difficult to separate and control, and also pose a danger to the biosphere.
The increase in lead in landfills due to the disposal and burning of electronic devices also contributes to this. In addition, emissions of toxic gases and smoke; climate change, It is becoming a major factor in environmental degradation and polluted water.
Although e-waste makes up only 1% of the world’s waste, it causes 70% of hazardous substance pollution in soil. this too global warming one of the reasons. Also in refrigerators and air conditioners temperature measuring equipment increases greenhouse gas emissions.
Which countries recycle the most e-waste?
The country with the highest percentage of electronic waste recycling is Sweden at 62.6%. While Japan is at 23%, China is 21% and the US is 14%. Turkey only 5% percentage of electronic waste recycling.
So who produces the most e-waste? You can find the details in our relevant content:
Guiyu, China, leads the world’s largest e-waste landfills.
Guiyu, on the coast of the South China Sea most e-waste It is known as the acceptance place. Although toxic waste began to be recycled better after the 2013 studies, the region’s air and water quality has not yet been completely cleaned up.
Ghana, a West African country, produces approx 192 thousand tons of electronic waste to take. Ghana; It pollutes the soil, water and air. Not only that, 10,000 people who work in recycling face serious health problems.
In the Bantar Gebang landfill in Bekasi, Indonesia up to 40 million tons There is just as much waste. Another 230,000 tons of household waste are added every year.
In Pakistan’s Jam Chakro dump 202 hectares of waste and this waste poses a serious health risk to 5 million people.
How should we recycle electronic devices?
Every year all over the world More than 1 billion mobile phones is produced and marketed. By recycling these mobile phones, 16 tons of copper, 350 kg of silver, 34 kg of gold and 15 kg of palladium can be obtained.
It is possible to contribute to both human health and the environment by recycling electronic products. There are a number of topics to consider for this. The first of these is the use of telephones or other electronic devices. Think before you upgrade your model. Do you really need a new device?
Reuse is the next step to be taken in recycling. If electronic devices have minor malfunctions, instead of throwing them away to repair among the priority operations. Devices that are not intended to be used can be given to other people around them or to those who accept them. to charities can also be forgiven.
“Take the old, take the new.” Mobile phones and white goods in particular can be recycled by evaluating the campaigns. This way it is not thrown away and is recycled by authorized units.
Before you create e-waste and harm the world again, don’t think twice what do you say?
Sources: Turkish Waste Prevention Foundation, World Health Organization, The World Counts
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Alice Smith is a seasoned journalist and writer for Div Bracket. She has a keen sense of what’s important and is always on top of the latest trends. Alice provides in-depth coverage of the most talked-about news stories, delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles that keep her readers informed and engaged.