The Ugly Truth about E-Waste

By Zach

Imagine that you are playing in a town in China and every step you take feels like acid as a result of E-waste. This is actually true in certain parts of China. E-waste is really electronic waste. Things like old computers, televisions, microwaves and more are being transported to China and disposed of illegally. Even though E-waste is a new concern it has been poisoning millions of lives in China for years.

Electronic waste is dangerous to the environment because it contains toxic chemicals and materials. Proper disposal of E-waste is expensive and often consumers may have to pay a fee for disposal. Due to the high cost of disposal, hundreds of companies in the United States are illegally shipping e-waste to China. Once e-waste gets to China it is not disposed of safely and the toxic chemicals are drained into the ground and water.

The environment in China is collapsing due to the amount of e-waste. Chinese companies that accept the e-waste for disposal are occasionally burning it. This causes hazardous gases to get in the air which extends all over the country. Then, the mercury that is in computers is simply pulled out and thrown on the ground, sometimes near areas like playgrounds. There is also lead in e-waste which ends up in the water supply. People living near rivers or other water sources drink the water and use it to wash clothes not knowing the dangers. Seven out of ten children in China have been sick from lead poisoning from the water. (The Wasteland)

Corporations in the United States claim that they will recycle e-waste but in reality they are not. They are not recycling e-waste because it is expensive and they do not make a profit from it. Companies in China have discovered that they can make a profit from e-waste if they dispose of it inconspicuously and illegally. About fifty tons of e-waste is produced across the world every year and also the environment has finally suffered long enough. (More than Enough E-waste)

If you ask the Chinese and other companies they would probably say that E-waste is beneficial because they want to get a profit. News reports say that they do it secretly to make hundreds of dollars per pound. I`d say that they`re poisoning themselves for money.

Solutions to e-waste can be simple, reuse, recycle and donate. We can reuse parts that others may need. Some parts can be recycled if done properly. Donating items can reduce waste. There are proper ways to dispose of the toxic chemicals. Particular bacteria can neutralize the toxins. Educating the public about e-waste would help consumers make more intelligent choices about disposal. China has a monumental problem with e-waste polluting the environment and creating acid in the ground. Don’t just sit there make a change dispose of your E-waste properly so, would you want to live in China now?

Works Cited:

Attacking E-waste CBS News, 2008. Online facts used in paragraphs 1, 4, and 2

Brown, Chelsea. 3 Solutions to Electronic Waste. Natural Home, Mar.-Apr. 2005. Web. 3 Feb. 2011. Facts used on paragraph 6

“E-Waste”, Calrecycle. Ca.gov, 31 Aug. 2005. Web. 1 Feb. 2011. Facts used on paragraphs 2 and 3

“More Than Enough E-waste.” Time for Kids (2007): 1. Print. Facts used on paragraphs 1 and 4

Patten, J.M., Toxic Wastes. Vero Beach: Rourke Book, 1995. Print. Facts used on paragraph 6

The Wasteland. CBS News, 2009. Online. Facts used on paragraphs 2, 4, 5, and 3