Illegal dumping of electronics is a global issue
Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - 11:25:53
The UN has estimated that around 90 per cent of all electronic waste generated globally is being dumped illegally rather than reused or recycled, according to the Guardian.
Within two years, this could result in a cumulative 50 million tonnes of unwanted PCs, smartphones and other gadgets being strewn across the planet every 12 months, which is why campaigners are calling for drastic action to be taken to prevent the problem worsening.
In 2014 it has been calculated that the illegal dumping of e-waste cost the global economy around $52 billion (£33.5 billion). And even in places like Western Europe, where there is more awareness of the need for proper recycling of electronic items, the issue is intensifying because, in many cases, e-waste is simply being exported to poorer parts of the world where there is no guarantee that it will be processed in a safe and sustainable way.
A lot of the complications arise as a result of e-waste being mislabelled. This means that items which are not fit for reuse but instead require recycling, end up being sent overseas without the correct information attached. This allows them to slip outside the remit of the international recycling industry, which is operated legitimately.
Harmful chemicals, hazardous materials and precious minerals are all exposed as a result of e-waste dumping activities. And the long term environmental impact will be disastrous if the current levels are allowed to persist.
For people in the UK who are keen to avoid contributing to the mountain of illegally dumped e-waste, it is best to sell your old mobile phone to a legitimate recycling firm. This will ensure that it is either refurbished for resale or recycled in an appropriate way, to avoid any ecological harm coming from its disposal.
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