Module 8 – Turnitin Case Study eWaste
Andrew A. Graziose
Embry-Riddle University
Jamie Sipe
July 22, 2017
Abstract
This paper will discuss what e-waste is, what is happening to the e-waste and why it is a problem. The paper will then discuss what can be done to improve the situation.
Module 8 – Turnitin Case Study eWaste Every day in our lives, we find ourselves using some form of technology. Technology has enhanced our lives tremendously, continually evolving and improving how we live our lives. With all the amazing benefits of technology, it is easy to forget the cost it plays on our planet and the nature it holds. As technology becomes outdated, it becomes what
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Giles Slade stated, “E-waste represents 2% of America's trash in landfills, but it equals 70% of overall toxic waste” (Slade, 2015). Electronic waste is extremely harmful on the environment and contaminates the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the soil we grow our vegetables in. Electronics contain high amounts of heavy metals, which are extremely toxic to all forms of life. According to GreenPeace, “it is estimated that 10-20 percent of discarded computers go to landfill” (GreenPeace, 2009). With our technology constantly advancing, we begin to find that e-waste continues to grow at an exponential rate. Many people want the newest and best technology, which leads to the older electronics being tossed out. Instead of individuals taking their old electronics to be recycled though, they tend to throw it in the waste bin and it doesn’t get the proper disposal it needs. According to GreenPeace, “it is estimated that 10-20 percent of discarded computers go to landfill” (GreenPeace, 2009). That percentage is a pretty hefty, especially when 60 Minutes estimates that “130,000 computers are thrown out every day” (CBS, 2008). With that estimate and percentage, anywhere from 13,000 to 26,000 computers are thrown out every day and not properly
Electronics Recycling. Electronic recycling is one consideration the company can do better with. Recycling in general lowers greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing items for the first time. Recycling electronics conserves natural resources making cleaner air and water. The valuable resources computers and electronic components carry are metals, plastics, and glass. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling a million laptops would give back enough energy for 3500 American homes’ electricity. A million cell phones would could yield 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium. Instead of throwing out the old computers and blackberry’s, the company could simply upgrade the hardware or software and then recycle the parts necessary.
E-waste or electronic waste is the number 1 fastest growing trash in the united states since 2004. E-waste is made up of lead, mercury, , and caldium. All of these Acids are deadly to the human body. Alex lin and many other teen activists work with these acids every day. Also, These activists are trying to stop these deadly acid from seeking into the ground and killing natural resources. These acids can also get into the water systems and harm people. When you get a new electronic you would most likely through it out in the TRASH, but you should recycle old electronics. According to the Electronic recycling 101 article, 3 million tons of electronic are trough out and only 13.6 of them are recycled. This shows that many people are unaware of
As used electronics is becoming a waster hazard worldwide local governments such as where I live include programs at local waste stations purely for electronics. This encourages local residents to freely drop off their electronic waste, like TV’s and computers and mobile phones to these locations where the waste is sorted and than shipped to facilities that can process this waste appropriately which also includes recycling as much material as possible. This has a
It has become the new “norm” with people to replace their electronics because their devices become out of date or they feel like they have to have the latest thing. In the article “Our E-Waste Problem Is Ridiculous, And Gadget Makers Aren’t Helping,” by Christina Bonnington, the author discusses how people buy new electronics every year when they come out and the old ones get abandoned. She also talks about how many people aren’t properly recycling their old devices and how some electronics can be impossible to recycle the right way. She also talks
Over the years technology has slowly become an important part in people’s everyday lives. We live in a world where technology is constantly updating as society becomes more dependent upon it. Everything around us is made using technology or discovered through technology. With each day that goes by society gets closer to solely relying on technology to function. In many aspects technology is a very useful tool.
Let’s face it -- we all buy and use the latest tech without thinking about the consequences. After all, when the new iPhone is released, who’s going to think about its effect on the environment and humans? But while technology has been beneficial to our lives, we should be cautious about the consequences of using technology and advancing it beyond what we can understand.
Alex Lin was one teen activist who saw a problem in e-waste.He was reading an article from the wall street journal, and he saw that there was an e-waste tsunami to come. In the article, it said that Americans discarded more than 112,000 computers daily, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Even worse, just 18 percent of discarded televisions and computer products were collected for recycling.To stop this he created team W.I.N, {Westerly Innovations Network}.He worked with Metech International to hold a recycling program for e-waste and they collected 21,000 pounds of E-Waste.Then his team saw that it was easier to refurbish the electronics than to recycle them.He worked with his school district to put refurbishing
In the world there are many different and developing types of technology that can offer many benefits, but at the same time cause many problems. Technology comes in many shapes and sizes and does many different things. Whether it’s a house that can do everything for its inhabitants , or a device that can make the paralyzed walk again, society is moving forward in the world of technology although it may be controversial.
If you where to ask a small child in Nigeria—"what do you do everyday?" They will most likely answer, "burning e-waste and selling the minerals inside in in." Not an answer you would receive from an American children living in the Untied States. Slowly this kids are being sicken by all the dangerous substances that e-waste contains. Soon this will lead for their bodies to stop growing properly. They will eventually die. Old electronics should not be thrown away, instead recycled. Because it is not healthy for the people in the countries that try to take out the material inside of the e-waste. And because we need tougher laws. Also because you can recycle.
Every year people in the U.S create about 660 million pounds of tech trash. Tech trash can pollute the environment because electronics can have dangerous chemicals like lead and the chemicals could leak into a river and pollute the water. How do we stop this? One way is to use electronics as long as you can. Also you can donate electronics to a charity or a neighbor. Another way is to look for a certified e-waste to recycle your electronics.
Eilperin describes the electronic waste, or e-waste as she dubs it, with aplomb. She especially pays attention to how the exportation of electronic waste from the United States to Asian countries affects their communities and environment. In my estimation, like many of the other articles she aims to educate and warn her audience of the danger looming on the horizon if society does not take action. Her audience should come from the article with an idea of how their habits with electronics can damage others half a world away and pose a threat to their environment here at home. This source was found through a search for electronic waste, global and asia on National Newspaper Core.
Technology is defined as anything that makes life easier. There are times where technology can make life easier just as a phone can make your life easier by allowing you something to use to stay in touch with those people that are around you. There are also times where technology can make life harder because it is used against nature and can ruin places. Some of those times are: the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, China’s environmental degradation, World War II, and the second Industrial Revolution. These are all times in history where the environment took a turn for the worst because of the newest technology that was created and used.
1. The growth of population and economic development has increased the problem of waste management.
E-Waste may be described as a broad and growing range of electronics ranging from large household devices such as refrigerators, air conditioners, cell phones, personal stereos and consumer electronics to computers, which have been discarded by their users. (Puckett and Smith, 2002). While this description is accurate, it is slightly ambiguous about the length of time before a device can actually be considered waste. Often, owners discard their electronics long before they have reached the end of their actual life cycle in order to upgrade to a newer model. In most cases the outgoing device finds its way into the used market. This may prolong the life of the product by a few years, however all electronic items eventually reach a point
Let us look at the financial model that is used in Europe. The entire financial model in Europe is based on “Extended Producer Responsibility”, where the producing organizations are responsible for Electronic waste take back and treatment. The financial model is integrated model consisting of E-waste collection, transportation and treatment. Following rules come under Extended Producer Responsibility