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  • Essay / electronic waste - 1148

    Electronic and electrical equipment is an essential part of a busy world. It replaces hard human labor and makes it faster. Most people have a computer at home or at work. In recent years, the change of electronic equipment has become more rapid due to obsolescence and progress (Deathe et al. 2008, 322). The problem of electronic waste threatens the future environment of modern society. Electronic waste or e-waste refers to electrical and electronic equipment unfit for use that fills landfills. Electronic equipment, such as cell phones, computers and televisions, are made of hazardous materials that pollute the environment and impact human health. The National Safety Council predicted that electronic waste would produce 1.6 billion pounds of lead and four times as much plastic (Hosansky 2004, 20). There are various ways to solve this problem, but to find the most effective solution there are certain criteria such as environmental benefits, accessibility for people and feasibility. This article using evaluation criteria will introduce and analyze remanufacturing and recycling. This trial will demonstrate that remanufacturing is the most effective solution by evaluating two proposed solutions. According to Kahhat et al. (2008, 956) people buy technologies when there is no need for them. The increase in the use of electronic devices has not complemented the development of processes after the end of their life. For example, only 9% of unused equipment was awaiting destruction (ibid. 956). It shows that about 4% of e-waste can be recycled in the United States. As Hosansky (2004, 20) says, computers are equipped with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) which are made of lead. Electronic equipment also contains chemicals that are heat hazardous...... middle of paper...... be disassembled and restored. Refurbishment looks promising and requires further promotion and expansion. In conclusion, this essay has reviewed the problem of e-waste and analyzed the recently recommended solutions. Remanufacturing and recycling were evaluated according to the criteria of environmental benefits, accessibility for people and feasibility. The main criterion is environmental benefit, which also means benefit to human health. According to this, it was determined that remanufacturing has sufficient convenience to choose it. Cases of remanufacturing in real life and in scientific sources are limited because it is a recently proposed solution. Indeed, producers should think about remanufacturing which, compared to recycling, has more benefits for the environment and the economy and seems to be the most effective solution to the problem of electronic waste..