THE E-WASTE OUTBREAK: A BILLION-WORTH MISTAKE

    Not long ago, a package we’d been dreading finally arrived along with the halt of my also never-ending question of whether there’d be another set of electronics in it.

     

    You see, my aunt once sent us a package containing appliances and gadgets they don’t use anymore. This always put me in a puzzling position since I've been wondering why most people are constantly looking for new products to buy.

    Now, the realization hits that not just my aunt, but millions of people all over the world are constantly purchasing and discarding electronics; however, what’s even more alarming is knowing that only 15-20% of these current wastes are recycled (TheRoundup.org, 2023).

  

    United Nations Environment Programme estimates over 50 million tons of e-waste are produced totaling approximately $62 billion in economic value annually. E-waste is also vastly known to contribute to the acceleration of climate change through its release of toxic chemicals in the atmosphere, its contamination through groundwaters affecting animals, and the degradation of human health especially for people working in landfills according to research (Great Lakes Electronics).

    The continuing rise of e-waste problems has imposed laws and regulations, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs. ERP gives the responsibilities back to manufacturers for their products’ end-of-life management (AFPA, 2023).

    Along with this measure, I still think that as users, we carry the biggest role in e-waste control. Employing the Rs of e-waste management is an effective way: Repair rather than Replace as some of our malfunctioning electronics are still salvageable through professionals, Responsibly Research the sustainability and durability of the product to make sure it lasts long, and Recycle or Regive just like what our family has been doing.

    Always keep in mind that small actions contribute to significant changes, and employing informed decisions like this might just be step one. 

References:

American Forest & Paper Association (2023). What is Extended Producer Responsibility? Retrieved from https://www.afandpa.org/news/2023/what-extended-producer-responsibility#:~:text=Extended%20Producer%20Responsibility%2C%20or%20EPR,including%20in%20Europe%20and%20Canada.

Azo Materials. Retrieved from https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=58882   

Great Lakes Electronic Corporation (n.d.). How Does Recycling Electronics Help the Environment? Retrieved from https://www.ewaste1.com/how-does-recycling-electronics-help-the-environment/#:~:text=When%20e%2Dwaste%20is%20exposed,also%20contribute%20to%20air%20pollution.

Nord Holding Ad. Retrieved from https://nordholding.bg/en/news-en/recycling-of-mobile-phones/

TheRoundup.org (2023). Latest Global E-Waste Statistics and What They Tell Us. Retrieved from https://theroundup.org/global-e-waste-statistics/

United Nations Environment Programme (2019). UN Report: Time To Seize Opportunity, Tackle Challenge Of E-Waste. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-report-time-seize-opportunity-tackle-challenge-e-waste