Page 43 - Mechanic Diesel - TT

MECHANIC DIESEL - CITS

Other possible solutions: Initiative from corporations and hospitals is essential to creating a healthier
environment, Consequences could be implemented where individuals would be required to pay a fine, or face
unpaid suspension from work. Companies and governmental organization should also initiate non-routine check-
ups and searches; this would place pressure on hospitals to ensure that waste is properly disposed all year round.
Voluntary clean-ups would involve hospital staff in assuring that medical waste is not littered around the hospital
or thrown into regular garbage bins.
E-waste
Electronic waste or e-waste: describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which
are destined for refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material recovery, or disposal are also
considered e-waste. Informal processing of e-waste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health
effects and environmental pollution. Electronic scrap components, such as CPUs, contain potentially harmful
materials such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated flame retardants. Recycling and disposal of e-waste
may involve significant risk to health of workers and their communities.
Significance of e-waste: E-waste or electronic waste is created when an electronic product is discarded after the
end of its useful life. The rapid expansion of technology and the consumption driven society results in the creation
of a very large amount of e-waste. The term “waste” is reserved for residue or material which is dumped by the
buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations, because loads of surplus
electronics are frequently commingled (good, recyclable, and non-recyclable). Several public policy advocates
apply the term “e-waste” and “e-scrap” broadly to all surplus electronics. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are considered
one of the hardest types to recycle.
On the other hand, the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development defines e-waste into six categories,
namely: (1) Temperature exchange equipment (e.g., air conditioners, freezers), (2) Screens, monitors (e.g., TV,
laptop), (3) Lamps (e.g., LED lamps), (4) Large equipment (e.g., washing machines, electric stoves), (5) Small
equipment (e.g., microwave, electric shaver), and (6) Small IT and telecommunication equipment (e.g., mobile
phones, printers). Products in each category vary in longevity profile, impact, and collection methods, among
other differences.
CRTs have a relatively high concentration of lead and phosphors (not to be confused with phosphorus), both of
which are necessary for the display. These CRT devices are often confused between the DLP Rear Projection TV,
both of which have a different recycling process due to the materials of which they are composed.
The high value of the computer recycling subset of electronic waste (working and reusable laptops, desktops,
and components like RAM) can help pay the cost of transportation for a larger number of worthless pieces than
what can be achieved with display devices, which have less (or negative) scrap value. In A 2011 report, “Ghana
E-waste Country Assessment found that of 215,000 tons of electronics imported to Ghana, 30% were brand new
and 70% were used. Of the used product, the study concluded that 15% was not reused and was scrapped or
discarded. This contrasts with published but uncredited claims that 80% of the imports into Ghana were being
burned in primitive conditions.

E-waste is considered the “fastest-growing waste stream in the world with 44.7 million tons generated in
2016equivalent to 4500 Eiffel towers. In 2018, an estimated 50 million tons of e-waste was reported, thus
the name ‘tsunami of e-waste’ given by the UN. Its value is at least $62.5 billion annually. Rapid changes in
technology, changes in media (tapes, software, MP3), falling prices, and planned obsolescence have resulted in
a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe. Technical solutions are available, but in most cases,
a legal framework, a collection, logistics, and other services need to be implemented before a technical solution
can be applied.

Display units (CRT, LCD, LED monitors), processors (CPU, GPU, or APU chips), memory (DRAM or SRAM), and
audio components have different useful lives. Processors are most frequently outdated (by software no longer
being optimized) and are more likely to become “e-waste” while display units are most often replaced while
working without repair attempts, due to changes in wealthy nation appetites for new display technology. This
problem could potentially be solved with modular smartphones (such as the Phonebooks concept). These types
of phones are more durable and have the technology to change certain parts of the phone making them more
environmentally friendly. Being able to simply replace the part of the phone that is broken will reduce e-waste.
In 2006, the United Nations estimated the amount of worldwide electronic waste discarded each year to be 50
million metric tons. According to a report by UNEP titled,

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CITS : Automotive - Mechanic Diesel - Lesson 01 - 04