Electronic Waste and Environmental Impact

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following stores has a program for the proper disposal of electronic waste?

Target

Kmart

Best Buy (correct)

Amazon

What type of waste can be dropped off at Lowe’s recycling center?

Fluorescent light bulbs (correct)

Plastic bottles

Paper products

Household batteries

What resource can municipalities provide regarding e-waste disposal?

Volunteer opportunities

Online shopping options

Local store discounts

Information about hazardous waste disposal (correct)

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a concern regarding e-waste?

Increased electronic sales Signup and view all the answers

Why is recycling e-waste important?

To recover valuable materials Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT represent an example of e-waste disposal methods?

Incineration in open space Signup and view all the answers

Which province does NOT have a specified municipal resource for e-waste disposal according to the examples given?

Quebec Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the reasons to have regulations on e-waste?

To prevent illegal disposal methods Signup and view all the answers

What is considered electronic waste (e-waste)?

Any discarded electronic devices including computers, office equipment, and entertainment devices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major concern regarding e-waste disposal?

It can lead to environmental pollution and health risks Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of a toxic compound commonly found in e-waste?

Lead Signup and view all the answers

Which health effect is associated with exposure to toxic compounds in e-waste?

Organ damage Signup and view all the answers

How has Canada's electronic waste production changed over the last two decades?

It has more than tripled Signup and view all the answers

Why is secure disposal of e-waste important?

To prevent harm from environmental toxins and ensure safety Signup and view all the answers

What factor is expected to increase significantly by 2030 regarding e-waste?

The global amount of e-waste generated Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence for animals exposed to toxins from e-waste?

Bioaccumulation of toxic materials in food chains Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why recovering gold and copper from e-waste is considered profitable?

E-waste contains more gold per ton than natural gold ore. Signup and view all the answers

Which country is NOT mentioned as a location where e-waste is improperly disposed of?

Japan Signup and view all the answers

What essential step should be taken before disposing of hard drives?

Erase the drives to secure personal information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key requirement of Ontario's Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulation?

Producers should provide waste collection options free of charge. Signup and view all the answers

How is electronic waste commonly recycled, and what is a potential consequence?

By exporting to countries with lax regulations, worsening pollution. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step recommended when disposing of a cell phone?

Report the phone as lost to the service provider. Signup and view all the answers

Under the Basel Convention, what is a focus regarding electronic waste?

Creating standards for e-waste recycling processes across borders. Signup and view all the answers

What risks do scrapyard workers face when handling e-waste?

Health hazards from toxic materials during dismantling. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Basel Convention?

To protect human health and the environment from hazardous waste Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered household hazardous waste in Ottawa?

Used lightbulbs Signup and view all the answers

The Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, primarily focuses on which of the following?

Regulating recycling processes for electrical equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in legislating e-waste recycling?

Inconsistent consumer participation in recycling programs Signup and view all the answers

In Canada, what type of laws specifically address the recycling of batteries and electrical and electronic equipment?

Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is focused on the challenge of legislating e-waste recycling?

Call2Recycle Signup and view all the answers

Why is lightbulb recycling specifically important in hazardous waste disposal?

They contain materials that can be harmful to health and the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of the e-waste regulation published in Ontario?

To establish guidelines for the collection, transportation, and recycling of e-waste Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key focuses of the new e-waste regulation in Ontario?

Reducing the amount of electronic waste Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following resources discusses how Canadians can improve e-waste recycling rates?

E-Waste Woes: Five ways Canadians can increase e-waste recycling rates Signup and view all the answers

Which website provides information regarding electronic waste regulations specific to Canada?

delltechnologies.com Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue associated with electronic waste management as highlighted in the resources?

Insufficient public awareness on e-waste Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'e-waste' refer to?

E-waste includes all electronic devices that are no longer usable. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Electronic Waste (e-waste)

E-waste encompasses discarded computers, office equipment, entertainment devices, cell phones, televisions, light bulbs, and refrigerators. It also includes used electronics destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal.
Global e-waste reached 59.4 million metric tonnes in 2022 and is projected to reach 74 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Canada's e-waste more than tripled in the last 20 years, increasing from nearly 1 million tonnes in 2020 to an anticipated 1.2 million tons annually by 2030.

Concerns Regarding e-waste

Major concerns revolve around environmental and human health impacts.
Handling e-waste during recycling and disposal can lead to physical harm due to heavy items (crushing accidents), sharp objects (cuts, lacerations), unexpected energy discharges, and explosions.
Exposure to toxic compounds during recycling or environmental release (if improperly disposed) poses a risk. Toxic dust inhalation, contact with toxic compounds are potential hazards.
Animals are also exposed to toxins released into the environment.

Toxic Compounds in e-waste

Common toxic compounds found in e-waste include lead, mercury, cadmium, sulfur, brominated flame retardants, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), beryllium oxide, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Exposure to these toxins can lead to negative health effects such as impaired cognition, organ damage, cancer, and reproductive harm.
Toxic compounds can accumulate in larger animals, posing a risk to the food chain.

Disposal Problems of e-waste

Discarded electronics are often shipped to developing countries like China, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Philippines for recycling.
Recycling often involves unsafe practices like burning and shredding, releasing dangerous toxins in the air.
Scrap yard workers in these areas face significant health risks handling and processing e-waste by hand.

Recycling e-waste

Recycling e-waste recovers valuable metals like gold and copper and other rare earth materials like Indium, making it a profitable process.
One metric ton of e-waste may contain up to 100 times more gold than one metric ton of gold ore.
Best practice recycling techniques minimize the amount of toxic materials released into the environment.

Regulations on e-waste

E-waste regulation in Canada primarily occurs at the provincial and territorial levels.
The federal government focuses on international and interprovincial electronic disposal laws.
Ontario has updated its Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) regulation in 2020 requiring producers to implement waste collection programs, recycling programs, and public education initiatives, and these are offered free of charge.
Canada also adheres to the Basel Convention regarding transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal..

Secure Disposal of e-waste

Data on hard drives should be erased to zero using available software and resources.
When discarding cell phones, resetting to factory default will often sufficiently clear personal data.
Turning off location services on cell phones and not reporting lost/stolen phones to service providers contribute to secure disposal practices, along with removing SIM cards and memory cards.

How to Dispose of e-waste

Many stores that sell electronic devices often have programs for e-waste disposal. Vendors like Best Buy and Staples offer these services.
Municipalities (like Ottawa and Pembroke, Ontario) have online resources detailing hazardous waste disposal procedures.

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Description

Explore the critical aspects of electronic waste, or e-waste, including its definition, increasing global trends, and significant concerns related to human health and the environment. Learn about the dangers involved in handling and disposing of e-waste and the potential toxins released into our surroundings. This quiz highlights the importance of responsible e-waste management.