Since the beginning of 'The Digital Age' also known as 'The Information Age', the development of new and more complex technologies has been steadily increasing. With the introduction of the personal computer to the market in the 70's, a door was opened, which gave way to a dizzying development in the technology industry, all the way to the electronic equipment we use today. But what about the millions of computers, tablets and cell phones that are no longer the latest model and therefore nobody wants?
They end up being... garbage.
La mayoría de toda la basura electrónica está compuesta por dispositivos personales, tales como: computadoras, monitores, tabletas, televisores y smartphones (teléfonos inteligentes). Estos se han convertido en una amenaza significativa a través de los años, sumando un total de 50 millones de toneladas de desechos electrónicos anuales, según un estudio realizado por el programa PNUMA de las Naciones Unidas. El mismo demostró, que la mayoría de esta basura electrónica no llega a procesarse a través de un sistema de reciclaje adecuado, pudiendo representar hasta el 70% de los residuos peligrosos que terminan en vertederos.
Se estima que el volumen de desechos electrónicos vaya en aumento y alcance unos 74.7 MT para el 2030; casi el doble en 16 años, desde el 2014. Una cifra preocupante no solo para el bienestar ambiental, sino también para la salud de los seres humanos y futuras generaciones.
Why should you care?
Como idea clave, según una publicación de BBC Noticias, un solo tubo de luz fluorescente puede contaminar hasta 16 mil litros de agua; una batería níquel-cadmio de las empleadas en telefonía móvil contamina 50 mil litros de agua; mientras que un televisor puede contaminar hasta 80 mil litros de agua.
Sustancias como el mercurio, plomo, cadmio, arsénico, antimonio y cromo son materiales con altos niveles de toxicidad presentes en electrónicos que amenazan directamente el bienestar de nuestras comunidades y territorios.
En caso de ser descartados de forma irresponsable, estos podrían encontrarse en nuestros sistemas de agua y eventualmente contaminar nuestro sistema de cadena alimentaria por medio del ganado, pescados y el cultivo. Lo cual puede generar en los seres humanos daños en el cerebro, el sistema nervioso, sistema circulatorio, alteraciones en la reproducción y hasta llegar a provocar infertilidad.
Is there a solution?
Despite the complexity of electronic equipment and its risk to human health, the elements they contain can be recovered, recycled and used as secondary raw material for new products, which helps to reduce the exploitation of virgin materials in natural resources.
Even if the electronics are obsolete or damaged, the versatility of the materials they are made of means that they have added value beyond the main function of the equipment itself.
Of the more than 60 elements of the periodic table that are present in electronics, there are precious metals of high value such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, iron and aluminum, to name a few. Making this electronic equipment a source of recoverable precious metals with high monetary value, despite the limits that exist in the market.
In 2016 alone, more than 400,000 tons of cell phones were discarded. Which had an approximate value of more than 9.5 billion dollars, according to a UN study.
If all electronic equipment is recycled correctly and responsibly, it could exceed $55 billion and become a source of high level economic income for the world, opening the way to an invaluable source of wealth.
Europe and Asia are leading the movement of environmental regulations related to the recycling of electronic equipment in the world. Although some regulations do exist in the Americas, there is still much work to be done.
The best way to contribute and safeguard our communities for our health is to start with simple but powerful actions. Do an internet search for specialized electronics recycling centers, have your equipment ready and discard it responsibly and consciously once you no longer have any use for it. You can even make a collection in your family circle or in your community, and help others to discard them properly.
It is up to all of us to generate an opposite impact to the current one and take responsible action in the management of this equipment. It is not only a benefit for the planet, but for our communities and the economy of our country.