WHAT IS ELECTRONIC WASTE?
Electronic
Waste (E-waste) is any refuse created by discarded electronic devices and
components as well as substances involved in their manufacture or use. The
disposal of electronics is a growing problem because electronic equipment
frequently contains hazardous substances. In a personal computer, for example,
there may be lead in the cathode ray tube (CRT) and soldering compound, mercury
in switches and housing, and cobalt in steel components, among other equally
toxic substances. E-waste is a term used to cover almost all types of
electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) that has or could enter the waste
stream. Although e-waste is a general term, it can be considered to cover TVs,
computers, mobile phones, white goods (e.g. fridges, washing machines, dryers etc.),
home entertainment and stereo systems, toys, toasters, kettles – almost any
household or business item with circuitry or electrical components with power
or battery supply.
Why
is e-waste growing?
 |
| Containers Imported from the US and Europe into Cameroon with E-wastes |
E-waste
is growing exponentially simply because the markets in which these products are
produced are also growing rapidly as many parts of the world cross over to the
other side of the ‘Digital Divide’. Cameroon just like India and other African
developing countries is being used by Europe and the United States
as a dumping ground for Electronic waste. About 29.38 Metric kilo tonnes of
E-waste was deposited in Cameroon in 2012 in the form of perused electronic
devices ranging from computers, mobile phones, refrigerators, TV sets and others
(UNU Jaco Huisman).
An
estimated 50 million tons of E-waste are produced each year. The USA discards
30 million computers each year and 100 million phones are disposed of in Europe
each year. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 15-20% of
e-waste is recycled, the rest of these electronics go directly into landfills
and exported to India, and other African Countries Cameroon. According to a
report by UNEP titled, "Recycling - from E-Waste to Resources," the
amount of e-waste being produced - including mobile phones and computers -
could rise by as much as 500 percent over the next decade in some countries,
such as India and the African. The United States is the world leader in
producing electronic waste, tossing away about 3 million tons each year. China already produces about 2.3
million tons (2010 estimate) domestically, second only to the United States.
CAMEROON
Visit: http://step-initiative.org/index.php/Overview_Cameroon.html
Agenda 21
Please download here
Despite all economic and financial benefits that arise from electronics importations already used like mobile phones, television, refrigerators, etc. the environmental and health effect of these appliances which comes and becomes electronic waste (e-waste) is worse than the economic benefits. The Basel Convention has done part and tried to curb the trans-boundary movements of hazardous substances, yet much need to be done since India, and other African developing states like Cameroon in particular has become a dumping ground for E-waste and other waste materials from Europe and America.
ReplyDeleteGreat appreciations to local bodies, groups and Non-Governmental Organisations like CECOSDA Cameroon who takes the initiative to get Cameroonians and the entire world informed on issues that concerns the environment, water and food security.
Let us therefore come to terms with the realities that just as our health is our responsibility, so too is our environment because there is an inseparable relationship between our health, environment, food security and water.
Thank you for these realism.
Bonjour!
ReplyDeleteFélicitation pour cette plate forme d'échange et de lecture que nous propose le CECOSDA. A nous maintenant, l'occassion de profiter de cet espace d'échanges, de proposition et surtout de sensibilisation dans le domaine de l'environnement!
Merci à tous!
it is imperative for each and every one of us to know about the impact of these kind of waste to our habitat.Thanks to CECOSDA for offering us these opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMabel Tsanga