Community | June 23, 2008 | 1 comment

PC population reaches a billion as e-waste piles up

source: http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14186-pc-population-reaches-a-billion-as-ewaste...

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jefftego
The number of personal computers in use around the world has surpassed one billion, research firm Gartner reports.

But the rapid growth in the number of new PCs also translates into fast-growing numbers of obsolete computers. Gartner estimates more than 180 million will be replaced this year. Some will be sold on or recycled but large numbers will simply be buried.

"Some 35 million PCs will be dumped into landfill with little or no regard for their toxic content," said Gartner analyst Meike Escherich. "It will become an even more pressing issue, especially in emerging markets, as the number of retired PCs grows with the continuing expansion of the PC installed base," she said.

Seventy per cent of the world's discarded phones and computers are exported to China. Earlier this year it was shown that dust in areas near Chinese e-waste recycling centres had raised levels of lead, with some school grounds harbouring levels that would be illegal in Western countries.

Last year it was found that dioxins from Chinese electronics recycling centres were finding their way into breast milk.

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1 comment // PC population reaches a billion as e-waste piles up

  • mande
    • 0
      mande  

    • PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) a flame retardant commonaly added to plastic components leaches it way into the underpaid, overworked, and uneducated recycling camp workers. This type of recycling should be hadled in a secure environment, but instead countries like America ship their broken, leftover junk to India, Asia and China under the guise of a recycling program. These computers, cellphones, hosehold appliances, electrical tools, even automatic coffee dispensers, etc.., end up being picked apart by the poor (literaly) workers. Adverse health effects such as cancer, respaitory failure, brain development(retardation) especially in fetuses are calls for immediate action. The shady practice between the exporters and importers are in violation of Human Rights. Produers of these appliances, Policymakers, and consumers need to implement a strategy that is both socially and environmentally sustainable.

    • 3 years ago
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