what is e-waste?

Question

electronic waste, e-garbage etc

Answer 1

probably 80% of the questions and responses on Yahoo Answers

Answer 2

I agree with many of the responses given. E-waste has to do with the recycling of electronic equipment by businesses or residential customers. Many of our computers, printers, televisions, radios, telephones, (to name a few) do have toxic substances in them. for instance, the glass on a television or a computer screen contains lead; mercury is also found inside as well as cadmium. Some businesses actually take the components apart and reuse the gold inside the circuit boards. To know more look up companies that recycle electronics. It's amazing the services they provide and it's interesting to see how dangerous to our environment our electronics can be. It is sure to get worse as they projected use of electronic equipment skyrockets in the future. Nearly 14 to 16 billion computers are disposed of annually.!!!

Answer 3

E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. Unfortunately, electronic discards is one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste stream.

With the passage of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, certain portions of the electronic waste stream are defined and the systems to recover and recycle them will be administratively regulated beyond the universal waste rules that now apply to material handling. Please review the CIWMB's efforts to implement the Act for more information.

In addition, some researchers estimate that nearly 75 percent of old electronics are in storage, in part because of the uncertainty of how to manage the materials. Combine this with increasing advances in technology and new products headed towards the market and it is no wonder that "e-waste" is a popular topic.

Answer 4

E-waste is an informal name for electronic products ( Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers...) at the end of their "useful life." Certain components (like CRT's) can be seen as hazardous.
And, I like this even thought I don't completely understand it:
"With the passage of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, certain portions of the electronic waste stream are defined and the systems to recover and recycle them will be administratively regulated beyond the universal waste rules that now apply to material handling. Please review the CIWMB's efforts to implement the Act for more information."

Answer 5

e-waste. Sounds benign, doesn't it? But in fact it's quite serious. There are communities in China that have been used as graveyards for discarded computers and other electronic devices ... and all the chemicals leaching into the soil and water have created a toxic wasteland that may never be cleaned.

Answer 6

Electronic waste or e-waste or WEEE is any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic appliance. It is a point of concern considering that many components of such equipment are considered toxic.

Answer 7

E-waste includes computers, entertainment electronics, mobile phones and other items that have been discarded by their original users. While there is no generally accepted definition of e-waste, in most cases e-waste consists of expensive and more or less durable products used for data processing, telecommunications or entertainment in private households and businesses.

In 1991 the first e-waste recycling system was implemented in Switzerland beginning with the collection of refrigerators. Over the years, all other electric and electronic devices were gradually added to the system. Legislation followed in 1998 and since January 2005 it has been possible to return all e-waste to the sales points and other collection points free of charge. There are two established PROs (Producer Responsibility Organisations): SWICO mainly handling electronic waste and SENS mainly responsible for electrical appliances. The total amount of recycled e-waste exceeds 10 kg per capita per year.

The European Union plans to implement a similar system described in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). By the end of 2006 – and with one or two years' delay for the new EU members – every country has to recycle at least 4 kg of e-waste per capita.

Definition of e-waste according to the WEEE directive:

Large household appliances (ovens, refrigerators etc.)
Small household appliances (toasters, vacuum cleaners etc.)
Office & communication (PCs, printers, phones, faxes etc.)
Entertainment electronics (TVs, HiFis, portable CD players etc.)
Lighting equipment (mainly fluorescent tubes)
E-tools (drilling machines, electric lawnmowers etc.)
Sports & leisure equipment (electronic toys, training machines etc.)
Medical appliances and instruments
Surveillance equipment
Automatic issuing systems (ticket issuing machines etc.)
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Problems caused by e-waste
E-waste is both valuable as source for secondary raw material, and toxic if treated and discarded improperly. Rapid technology change, low initial cost and even planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast growing problem around the globe. Technical solutions are available but in most cases a legal framework, a collection system, logistics and other services need to be implemented before a technical solution can be applied.

Due to lower environmental standards and working conditions in China and India, e-waste is being sent to these countries for processing – in most cases illegally. Bangalore in India and the Guiyu area in the Chaozhou region of China have e-waste processing areas. Uncontrolled burning and disposal are causing environmental problems due to the methods of processing the waste. Trade in e-waste is controlled by the Basel Convention.

E-waste is of concern largely due to the toxicity of some of the substances if processed improperly. The toxicity is due in part to lead, mercury, cadmium and a number of other substances. A typical computer monitor may contain more than 6% lead by weight. Up to thirty-six separate chemical elements are incorporated into e-waste items. The unsustainability of discarded electronics and computer technology is another reason for the need to recycle – or perhaps more practically, re-use – e-waste.

E-waste presents difficulties for recycling due to the complexity of each item and lack of viable recycling systems. Many of the plastics used in electronic equipment contain flame retardants. These are generally halogens added to the plastic resin, making the plastics difficult to recycle.

Answer 8

I guess its electronic rubbish, like where do the stuff that were deleted go to, must be electronically wasted! Do buy what I said, I was just guessing!

Answer 9

Electrical appliances mostly old cpu's, monitors and printers. These products have mercury which is toxic

Answer 10

HA HA HA just struck me as funny, but that garth ludd (Hasselhoff avatar) and jim darwin (ape to man avatar). LOL