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Posted on 09/06/2016 10:47:33 AM PDT by Sean_Anthony
E-waste recycling is a source of much needed income in many low to middle income countries
Electronic product innovations satisfy many needs, including the desire of people to stay connected around the globe. As new products are continually introduced into the marketplace, consumers replace existing electronic products that are damaged or simply outdated. The resulting mass of electronic products discarded is becoming the fastest growing waste stream in the world leading to polluted environments. (1)
Electronic waste (e-waste) which includes all types of electrical or electronic equipment is produced in staggering quantities, estimated globally to be 41.8 million tons in 2014. E-waste recycling is a source of much needed income in many low to middle income countries. However, its handling and disposal in underdeveloped countries is often unsafe and leads to contaminated environments. Rudimentary and uncontrolled processing methods often result in substantial harmful chemical exposures among vulnerable populations, including women and children. E-waste hazards have not yet received the attention they deserve in research and public health agendas. (2)
The EPA has made e-waste refinery illegal so it all gets shipped overseas where no standards exist
Who did not see that coming?
Oh yes, the radical left
41.8 tons is about one garbage truck full of phones.
Not a lot at all.
Whoops, misread the numbers.
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What is the precious metal content of e-waste verses raw ore?
Depends on the plating/solder/components used. High stress environments use silver/gold, but most e-wast is likely Tin and Nickel for solder with copper traces none of that is the bad stuff. The reason the processing is so regulated is that to strip it all down quickly and economically they have to use some very harsh stuff - that is where the real hazard is....that is the main issue and then the plastics in the insulators between circuit board layers and chips.
It could all be dealt with but the enviro-weenies demand their power and the industry is too small profit wise to be able to push back much.
And there it is...again. They never tire bringing that up, do they? Of course, the qualifier "often" negates the meme, since it leaves real numbers off the table.
I used to work in e-cycling and it was a horrible experience but it was all there was not long after the wun came to power.
As pro-business as I am, it would not hurt my feelings to see those worthless, lying, slave-driving, cheap, crooked Missourians out of business and a few of that crowd in jail.
I don’t hold them as examples of all Missouri people. I’ve met plenty of good ones.
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