Empowering Future Generations: Sustainable Living, E-Waste Awareness
- Tina Guan
- Dec 27, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 24, 2024
Welcome to my student blog dedicated to ecological economics and responsible waste management. My participation in the Harvard Pre-College program deepened my understanding of how human activities and policies can severely impact the environment. And I'm committed to raising awareness about responsible waste management and its importance in creating a cleaner, healthier environment. Join me in this journey towards a sustainable future, where we inspire positive change and protect our planet for generations to come. Thank you for visiting.
This blog targets to raise awareness of the specific problem of electronic waste (e-waste) disposal. The problem with the increasing accumulation of e-waste has caused consequential environmental and social destruction. Moreover, the lack of awareness of e-waste in the younger generation is problematic. 45% of young people have never recycled a phone, and 38% of people have disposed of phones in general bins. To tackle the problem of e-waste; we hope to raise awareness of this issue through this blog.
The culture of “Use and Throw-away”
The proliferation of electronic devices has led to a significant increase in electronic waste. The Global E-waste Statistics Partnership estimates that 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2019, with only 17.4% officially documented as collected and recycled. Proper disposal and recycling of e-waste are essential to mitigate the release of hazardous substances into the environment. Nonetheless, exposure to e-waste can lead to serious health issues such as decreased lung function, higher risks of cancer, negative impacts on neonatal growth indices and hormone level alterations (WHO, 2023) Furthermore, people living in e-waste recycling towns or working in e-waste recycling had evidence of greater DNA damage than did those living in control towns.
To investigate the knowledge of people involved in the field of handling e-waste, a total of 104 handlers, who were randomly selected from each of the 26 waste handling centers aged between 18 and 45, were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. As a result of the study, about 72% of the handlers did not know the meaning of electronic waste and 71% were not aware of associated health risks, 85% did not use any protective gear. The majority of center owners felt that informal e-waste handling does not pose any health risks. (Mishra el al., 2017) This indicates a concerning gap in awareness and safety practices within the field of e-waste handling.
The diagram displays the growing trend of global accumulation of e-waste production. Moreover, there is no decline in the growth of e-waste in the future, as the height of the bars continues to increase in height.
This diagram displays the percentage of different types of electrical appliances that contribute to global e-waste. It can be noticed that common domestic equipment such as iron, kettles, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, microwaves, etc. contribute the most to global e-waste.
Projects that have already been implemented to tackle the problem of waste pollution
Implemented projects to address the issue of waste pollution include E-waste Recycling Centres, which serve as facilities where electronic devices can be properly disassembled, and valuable materials can be extracted for reuse. These centers not only promote recycling to reduce waste production but also contribute to minimizing the scarcity and demand for rare raw materials like gold, silver, and rare earth elements such as neodymium. A notable example is the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive in Europe, which requires member states to establish e-waste collection and recycling programs. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden have successfully implemented robust systems for e-waste management. Additionally, some regions are implementing policies that hold producers accountable for collecting and recycling their electronic products, further emphasizing the importance of sustainable waste management practices.
Adding on to the projects that have been implemented already, we hope that our project can further educate the public and increase the sustainability and long-term effect of projects/mitigation. Driven by the concerns of our future global environment, I am motivated to initiate this organization, Biobin, dedicated to tackling the critical issue of not only e-waste but the whole of the problem with waste management. Our mission is to tackle the problem from its root, as there is a lack of awareness of the problem itself. Moreover, by establishing this organization, we hope to not only make a positive contribution to the global community, but as representatives of future generations, we also would like to encourage more people to collaborate in the mission.
Our Framework
SDGs Addressed
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Aims to address waste pollution, which is a significant issue in urban areas and communities.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - Promoting recycling, reusing, and thrift shopping as personal actions to reduce waste and promote responsible consumption.
SDG 13: Climate Action - Need for governmental policies and global initiatives, that align with climate action efforts to mitigate environmental impacts.
Roadmap
In conclusion, our exploration of sustainable fashion and the pressing issue of electronic waste reveals the urgent need for awareness and action. The stark facts surrounding e-waste underscore the gravity of this environmental challenge, and our mission, centered on addressing the root cause of lack of awareness, is outlined through a comprehensive framework and roadmap aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. With a commitment to responsible consumption and global initiatives, we aim to inspire change and contribute to ongoing efforts. The incorporation of diagrams and statistics emphasizes the criticality of the situation, while proposed projects and collaborations seek to make a lasting impact on our planet's well-being. Join us as we champion sustainability, education, and collective responsibility for a better, more sustainable future.
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