Electronic Waste

Question 1

Why does e-waste get shipped to LDCs like
Ghana and China?

Answer 1

• Cheap and convenient for manufacturers

Question 2

What happens to the e-waste after it arrives?
What gets salvaged? What happens to the
rest?

Answer 2

• The e-waste is broken down. Whatever doesn’t get salvaged is burnt.
• Salvagable parts are valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium, iron, and aluminum.

Question 3

What are the human and environmental
impacts of e-waste?

Answer 3

• Inhibits development in children
• Increases risk of cancer
• Damage to lungs, blood cells, kidneys
• Burning of plastics releases toxic fumes and heavy metals (lead, mercury, & cadmium) into environment

Question 4

What are some potential solutions to the
problem?

Answer 4

• Keep recycling LOCAL and reusing materials as much as possible

Question 5

What should government policies be in
regards to the disposal of electronic devices?

Answer 5

• Limitations on the charging ports that can be sold/manufactured. (E.G., Europe’s ban on certain charging cables)
• Making outlets/tech more consistent and the same throughout the globe

Question 6

What is E-Waste

Answer 6

Old or discarded electronic devices or their parts