What is the Australian cost of e-waste?

Every year, technology introduces a new must-have product like Computer, laptop, or mobile phone. Consumers tend to replace electronics with the slightest inconvenience, whether it is from a slowdown, breakdown, or newly available model.

Sometimes it is not the consumer lust or interest but the product makeup that favors disposal. For example, buying a new phone is a relatively much cheaper option than going to repair the old one.

Owning a new product means discarding the old ones that pose a significant threat to the world in countless ways. Electronics that play a big part in solving lives are becoming a problem.

E-waste is a complex issue proliferating a more significant waste stream in the world, much of which is mishandled, causing environmental pollution, human health hazards, and loss of valuable economic resources.

It is becoming essential for all of us to do what we can to curb the situation. It is not about the environment alone but also our lives and economy.

The United Nations term it “the tsunami of e-waste.” According to a report, the following statistics are observed.

• The global electronic or electrical waste production is nearly 50 million tons a year, out of which 539,000 tonnes are calculated in Australia alone during the year 2019.
• 40% of the recorded statistic in Australia is contributed by the household, and only half of it goes for recycling- according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
• In Australia, the e-waste emissions are projected to increase by 13% by 2030, more than 10 million tonnes equals C02.
• In more than 120 countries, the amount of growing pile of e-waste is higher than its annual GDP.
• The material value of spent devices globally is accounted to be $62.5 billion, which is three times higher than the world’s silver mines.
• In a year, a staggering 44.1 million tons of e-waste is generated, equivalent to six kilograms on every person on this planet.
• If you quantify annual e-waste in a line, it equals 77 miles long.

E-waste generation by industry in Australia

539,000 tonnes of e-waste were generated around 40% contributed by households and a half was recycled.

_{Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics}

Planned obsolescence: A serious problem of electronic waste

The increasing numbers of electronic consumption have fueled e-waste growth. There was a time when the consumer would only have a TV or VCR, and they used to last for years. But as the demand and derives for newer electronics increases, there is hardly any device that stays in the owner’s hands for more than a year.

As per the study by ENDS Europe Agency, “Electronics goods life span is shrinking.”

Many products are manufactured with planned obsolescence– a planned policy of consumer goods that becomes rapidly obsolete and requires replacing.

These electronic devices require a software update that fits into newer technology. For example, a new iPhone requires a different iOS system to operate, which means new featured smartphones.

Also, many companies have introduced applications that do not run on old version mobiles. For example, WhatsApp and Facebook have dropped their support for older models.

The increased electronic unit consumption has encouraged new players to enter the market. They come up with portable, innovative, inexpensive products, which have invisibly pressurized consumers to buy new devices.

It is more than the environment.

The toxic substance present in the tech devices are indeed not only harmful to the environment, but several other things become affected by e-waste disposal.

When the discarded electronics are dismantled or burnt, the harmful chemical residues enter the soil, taking considerable time to deteriorate, during which the chemicals damage the plants and animal species.

These toxic elements are released in the air, spread through the wind, and affect far beyond the immediate areas. This means that e-waste not only pollutes the surrounding communities but has far-reaching consequences.

E-waste risk the health of vulnerable communities.

The condition at e-waste management facilities is terrible. Discarded products contain hazardous material and flame retardants. Because these electronic devices are manually sorted, the tones of these products are dissembled by poor workers, causing a greater chance of risk to their wellbeing.

The toxic substance of mercury, barium, lead, and lithium can cause serious health issues. The harmful toxins enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption. This can even lead to death in many cases.

How to get rid of the e-waste problem? E-waste Management solution

A better e-waste management system and greenhouse strategy work wonder to tackle the e-waste challenge. Collective efforts can create a more sustainable market that has less wastage and more recycling options.

• Encourage a circular economic system– Extending the product lifespan and reusing them can bring more value to the economy. A working device is more valuable than extracting the resources that it contains. By circulating devices, you encourage a more sustainable solution to e-waste damages.
• Buy-back and return schemes – are the perfect solutions to the e-waste systematic issue.
• Better recycling facilities- Less than 20% of the electronic devices are thrown away in the trash. As per the study, one ton of e-waste contains more gold than one ton of gold ore. This means governments and corporations should incorporate better recycling and resource extraction facilities to facilitate the entire process. They should build Recycling centers and training institutes to cater the e-waste distribution.
• Try reducing the number of electronics you own. If a device breaks down, try to find its multiple uses instead of disposing of.
• Look for electronics that label as “environment friendly.” Go for certified electronic products.