Who Should Be Responsible For Electronic Waste Disposal?
With the super fast rate of obsolescence of computer and other electronic products, there is a growing global crisis on the mounting electronic wastes being constantly generated. Much as I am grateful to the manufacturers and brand owners for providing us with modern convenience through technological advancements and innovations, in one perspective they are also producing large amounts of waste containing hazardous and toxic materials at the same time. In this regard, they should be largely if not wholly responsible for the disposal of electronic wastes, i.e. discarded computer equipment, TV sets, etc.
Some countries require environmental impact assessments of businesses and establishments from which they are to provide sufficient measures to offset or counterbalance any negative impacts, provide environmentally sound disposal method for the end-of-life materials and maintain sound health, safety and environmental standards in the workplace. But in the case of imported computer and other electronic products, the government may not take manufacturers and brand owners responsible for the disposal of used equipments. In short, the consumers are the ones left with the problem of disposal.
Disposal of electronic wastes by way of landfilling is not environmentally acceptable because these wastes contain loads of hazardous materials which are harmful to life and the environment. If left to leach in the soil, the heavy metals and potent carcinogens present might be absorbed by plant life and through the food chain, take its toll on animals and humans alike - or may contaminate underground water sources. Burning or incineration is neither acceptable since they emit highly toxic, persistent and carcinogenic gases such as dioxins and furans and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
The best solution so far is to recycle the discarded computer equipment. In poor places where recycling is not a common practice because of the absence of sufficient means and technological know-how, manufacturers and distributors should provide service centers in strategic locations wherein computer owners can trade-in their old computers for new ones, get repairs or spare parts or have their units upgraded. They should also provide recycling facilities. Consumers should also do their part by applying the reduce, reuse and recycle method in dealing with their electronic wastes in coordination with the manufacturers/ recyclers. In this way, there is fair distribution of responsibilities between stakeholders.