Foundation Certificate in Higher

Education

Module: DOC 314: Digital Skills for Higher Education

Module leader: Ms. Dilki Weerakoon

Type of assignment: Individual task

Student Id: 20231674

Student name: Thisal Bonindu Thanweeraarachchi

Abstract

This report contains a research done under the topic of electronic waste which have
become a major issue in the present society. Even though technology is essential
for the future advancement of human it is adversely affected to the nature and our
surrounding environment. The generation of electronic waste or E waste is rapidly
increasing throughout the world. Now a day people need electronic components for
every day-to-day activity.
This issue of gathering more and more e waste, harm environment, animal health
including human itself. Moreover, hazardous substances and the informal disposal
of E-waste severely threaten human health and the environment. This report
contains definitions, effects and also solutions for this issue done using some
sources and research papers.

Keywords- E waste (electronic waste), incineration (burning substances)

i
 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks and gratitude towards lecturer

Ms. Dilki Weerakoon and Tutorial lecture madam for their guidance and
support.

ii
Table of Contents

Abstract ....................................................................................... i

Acknowledgement ...................................................................... ii

List of figures ............................................................................. iv

1. What is Electronic waste? ...................................................... 1

2. Reasons for increase of E waste ............................................ 1

3. Harmful effects of e waste..................................................... 2

4. Disposing E waste .................................................................. 3

References .................................................................................. 4

iii
List of figures

Figure 1E- waste ......................................................................... 1

Figure 2 (adverse effect of e waste 2) ........................................ 2

Figure 3E waste (adverse effect of e waste) ............................... 2

Figure 4 Recycling ....................................................................... 3

iv
v
Electronic Waste
1. What is Electronic waste?
• E waste is electronic products that are unwanted, not working, and nearing or at
the end of their use full life. Computers, televisions, VCR’s stereos, copiers, and
fax machines are everyday electronic products. We can categorize E waste into
three types, they are, major appliances, small appliances, computer and
telecommunication appliances. Refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are few
examples for major type appliances and vacuum cleaners, irons, blenders and fryers can
be taken as small type appliances. At last computer and telecommunication appliances
are laptops, Pcs, Telephones and Mobile devices.

Figure 1E- waste

2. Reasons for increase of E waste

• The rapidly growing technological landscape has led to increase production of E-

waste is the rising demand for electronic products. One reason for increase them
are, when electrical appliances break, consumers opt to purchase replacements
other than repairing them as it is economically affordable to buy a brand new
than repairing the broken ones.

• Rapid innovation in technology can be taken as another reason for the increase
of the amount of e- waste. Due to the increase in technological and industrial
demand new electronical devices have developed that result in unwanted and
unused devices.

1
 3. Harmful effects of e waste

• When improper disposal of E- waste in landfills, both heavy metals and

flame retardants can be directly contact with the soil cause contamination
of underlying ground water or contamination of crops that can be planted
nearby or in the future.

• E waste can be toxic not only for the soil as it is not biodegradable and
accumulates in the environment, in air, water and living bodies. Open air
burning and acid baths being used to recover valuable materials from
electronic components release toxic materials leaching in to the
environment

• Furthermore, the environmental cost of waste, and especially of improper

treatment of waste can be bad to human health as well as to the
environment. These include air pollution, strong odor, groundwater
contamination and illnesses

Figure 3E waste (adverse effect of e waste) Figure 2 (adverse effect of e waste 2)

2
4. Disposing E waste

• Common disposal methods of E waste are, landfilling, acid bathing,

incineration, recycling and Reuse. The safest ecofriendly methods
out of the above list are, recycling and reuse. There five ways to
reduce e waste, first, knowing the lifespan of the product before
buying it, second, set a limit on electronic gadgets, third, check the
package for an environmental seal, fourth, make recycling a part of
life, and finally learn about electronic components and their
adverse effect on the environment.

• E- waste recycling is the process of extracting valuable materials

after shredding the e waste into tiny pieces that could be reused in
a new electronic appliance. When recycling e waste there are few
tips to follow, as, thinking twice before upgrading your devices,
finding opportunities to reuse, try returning the item to the
manufacturer or taking then to a dedicated e-waste recycling
facility.

Figure 4 Recycling

3
 References

• https://techreset.com/itad-guides/e-waste-disposal-
techniques/

• https://www.knowledge-share.eu/en/patent/precious-
materials-from-electronic-circuit-
boards/?gclid=CjwKCAjwysipBhBXEiwApJOcu1VHz2
PufWT3F_KdO1O6LHKkNLkk9TjGnOpZoE34l2aAX6
z1nIIuIBoCNDAQAvD_BwE

• https://www.rts.com/elytus/

• https://trashcansunlimited.com/blog/ewaste-definition-
causes-concerns-and-
management/#:~:text=Causes%20Electronic%20Waste%
3F-
,The%20rapidly%20growing%20technological%20lands
cape%20has%20led%20to%20increased%20production,t
han%20fixing%20the%20broken%20one.