E-waste tragedy: What can be done?

The tragedy of inadequately controlled recycling of e-waste (electronic waste) that is shipped, often illegally, to developing countries from the developed world is something that we can no longer ignore.

As a reminder, this uncontrolled recycling is happening despite the international Basel Convention that prohibits the export of hazardous waste to developing countries for any reason, including recycling. Europe, in general, has ratified this treaty, yet there is still evidence that violations occur.

The US has yet to ratify the Basel Convention. It did enact a rule in January 2007 requiring companies to notify the EPA before exporting scrap CRT screens. However, the rule only covers CRT screens and the Government Accounting Office recently concluded the rule has not been effective in deterring the illegal export of CRT screens.

Dr Thuppil Venkatesh, advisor to the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI) states that 53% of the children under 12 in Bangalore have levels of lead in their bloodstream that is causing brain damage and restricting their ability to learn.

In Southern China, Guiyu, the so called “toxic city” that receives around one million tons of e-waste every year, the levels of lead are as high as 70%.

In developing countries e-waste is often burnt over open fires to recover materials such as copper, silver, and aluminium, and cable and printed circuit boards are stripped by using acid baths. All this for earnings of $100 to $150 per month.

Harmful side effects of inhaling or handling the e-waste can result in damage to the brain, kidneys, lungs, and nervous system, and can even cause cancers to develop. Despite the Basel Convention, e-waste continues to be shipped to India, China, and Africa, in particular. The loophole appears to be that shipments are allowed for second hand or refurbished equipment that is used, for example, in education.

However, Dr Venkatesh pleads with the US and Europe: “Please, no charity, do not send your old computers and cell phones to us – you are killing the children.”

Regardless, there is no shortage of workers willing to do the dismantling work, regardless of the dangers. An estimated 5 million people work in this trade alone in India, often with little or no protection.

The inadequately controlled recycling often takes place by bare hand with no gloves or respiratory masks that could protect against the toxic dust that is a particular problem in the recycling “shops.”

With very few regulated recycling sites in developing countries and a lack of investment, the e-waste problem is set to grow, not least because of the increasing number of computers sold around the world, and the attraction of recycling costs, for a PC, of $2 rather than $20 to $30.

So what can be done? Share your thoughts below.

About the author
As director of legislation and environmental affairs, Gary Nevison is Newark’s and Farnell’s spokesperson and customer interface on legislation that affects the electronics industry, such as the ROHS (all variations around the world), REACH, EuP, and WEEE directives. For more on Gary, click here.

Editor’s note: Read about what Farnell/Newark is doing concerning e-waste recycling in developing countries here.