E-waste is a BIG problem!!

   Electronic waste also known as e-waste can be defined as the loosely discarded or broken computers, monitors, televisions or other electrical or electronic devices. Nowadays, e-waste is one of the fastest growing segments of the waste stream of many countries. More and more PCs and electronic appliances get replaced each year, in the end e-waste dumping is turning into a serious problem.
   Normally, e-waste is routinely exported out by developed countries to developing countries but often in violation of the international law which also means those tradings are at most illegally done. It was reported that in UK alone for 2003, there was 23000 metric tonnes of waste collected exported out to India, Ghana, Nigeria, China and Africa for the recovery job.

   

    Electronic scrap components are generally rich in toxic organic chemicals and harmful metals such as cadmium, lead and copper. Not only that the disposal of e-waste may involve significant health risk to e-waste workshop workers, if the safe recycling procedure was not followed properly, it may lead to a bigger problem which is the exposure or leaching of such materials to the people and the environment.

   E-waste recycling issue has become an emerging problem in India. In just few years, India is now a major e-waste dump yard of the world. It was reported that the uncontrolled burning, disassemble and disposal job had bring the poor to an earning but has also resulted in vary of environmental issue like water pollution and air pollution. Besides, the health effects among the workers had also been questioned. Below is a documentary relating the e-waste issues happening in India: