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The Problem of Electronic Waste

Electronic waste is an emerging concern in the developing and the developed world. Electronic waste or e-waste is made up of a multitude of items comprising valuable materials, with an adverse effect on our surroundings because, in addition to pollution, some contain toxic substances. The absence of infrastructure to help dispose of this waste properly makes the toxicity of these products a considerable concern. The biggest problem is the fact that companies create items that do not last as a sales strategy. However, there is also the fact that technology is changing fast and people want the latest gadgets. This paper analyzes a solution to companies producing products to last for a limited time.

Companies are deliberately creating these short-life products and externalize costs. They avoid paying to design products that are less harmful to the environment and let the public deal with them (Leonard). The best way to deal with this issue is by creating government regulations that will ensure these products are dumped in certain places and designated bins (Cho). Also, the item should be logged in during disposal. These items will be recycled in expert facilities that will ensure the toxicity will not violate the environment. These regulations should include strict condemnation of shipping e-waste to developing countries for recycling. The government should get technology companies creating these items to pay fees that will ensure proper disposal of these items proportional to the number of items they sell to the public and increase extended producer responsibility.

The strength of this solution is that companies will be forced to go back and create items that last longer to avoid the cost of incurring regular costs for disposal. The toxic chemicals contained in these electronics will be handled properly and put in areas where they will not come into contact with the environment. The opportunities will include the probability of technology companies rethinking their externalization of costs strategy. The exposure of innocent people in less developed countries to the toxic substances will reduce. The influence of corporations on the government is a huge threat. They may use their financial power to undermine these changes without significant repercussions. The weaknesses of the solution include the lack of compliance from gadget owners. It won’t be straightforward to monitor people and where they dispose of their electronics. The solution will not deliver in some areas, but it is possible to end the export of these items to developing countries.

Works Cited

Cho, R. “What Can We Do About the Growing E-waste Problem?” State of the Planet, 27 Aug. 2018, blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2018/08/27/growing-e-waste-problem/.

Leonard, A. “Electronics Trash: The Truth! Documentary including Story of Stuff series.” YouTube, NaturalTruth, 11 Aug. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duiz6nweVv8. Accessed 3 Mar. 2020.