E-waste

Question 1

causes of ewaste

Answer 1

• planned and perceived obsolescence (designing products to be disposal within a specific time frame)
• disposing technology because demands are too high
• media and advertising
• not broken, just “not wanted”

Question 2

how much ewaste is prod. in NZ and what happens to it

Answer 2

• approx 300-400 million pieces of ewaste are dumped

- less than 20% is recycled

Question 3

discuss and encourage sum social action

Answer 3

• stop giving into the influences of the media and buying the newest “in” devices.
• drop off ewaste at reliable recycling areas

Question 4

evaluate 4 possible ways of reducing the amount of ewaste generated

Answer 4

1. product stewardship: designers and manufactures plan for the disposal/recycling of product from start to end of its usable life
2. basel convention - control of movement of the hazardous waste and their disposal
3. the WEEE directive (waste electrical and electronic equipment) - each person has to recycle 4kg each year
4. the 4RS - recycle, reuse, reduce (less waste is created and therefore thrown away), redesign (so less waste is created)

Question 5

define sustainability

Answer 5

looking after the natural environment, societies, and economies so that future gens. can use them