Knowledge > Position Statements > Statement
Statement on eWaste - November 2006
IntroductionIn Australia, 1.6 million computers end up as landfill every year. In Victoria, as many as 500,000 computers become obsolete every year (MMV). VITTA is committed to the view that obsolete computers and components should be recycled or disposed of in such a way as to minimise the environmental impact of e-waste. |
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Useful metals, plastics and glass can all be reused and recycled. e-waste refers to any materials that go into a computer, i.e. hard drive, packaging, monitor, mouse, speakers, which must be disposed of at the end of their useful life.
VITTA believes that:
There is a considerable impact on the environment from e-waste. VITTA, as a leading professional organisation, and teachers of Information Technology, Computer Managers and eLearning Coordinators have a significant role to play with:
- Actively promoting the recycling of computers;
- Developing programs to dispose of e-waste in environmentally appropriate ways;
- Supporting and promoting organisations that are committed to recycling e-waste.
VITTA
should be involved in the development of any legislative changes, review or adoption of programs to promote computer recycling. VITTA has also made contact with and had preliminary discussions with Planet Ark who have been actively involved with recycling printer cartridges. More than 18 million cartridges end up as landfill each year, so addressing this problem has been an effective way to "start the ball rolling" with respect to computer recycling. To become involved with this aspect of recycling you should visit the Planet Ark website:
Rationale
Currently, the bulk of recycling in the first world is exported to the developing world. Using the market-driven language of 'competitive advantage', most of the toxic waste and dangerous by-products of computer technologies are currently being exported to poorer developing countries with cheap labour markets, where recycling plants do not have strict occupational health and safety standards. Somewhere between 50%-80% of recycling is exported to countries such as China, India and Pakistan.
Why is this a problem? Not everything inside a computer can safely be returned to the earth. The machinery on your desk contains a number of elements that are distinctly harmful to the environment. The heavy metals used in electronic equipment, including lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, can leach from landfill tips into the water table. The workers of these countries, and the environments in which they live, are slowly being poisoned.
In 1992, the Basel Convention was adopted to prevent this export of materials. E-waste from Australia can be exported now only where it can be shown that the waste will be dealt with in an environmentally sound manner. This means that the problem of e-waste needs to be addressed locally. If individuals or organisations opt for a new computer, they should not throw away the old one or keep it hidden in the shed. If they cannot find any other use for their old equipment, consider donating it.
Organisations such as VITTA should display their good corporate citizenship by being flag bearers not just for the introduction and teaching of ICT, but for the responsible use and disposal of redundant machines. VITTA's committee of management are in unanimous agreement that knowledge about the need to recycle computer components should be passed onto our membership and to all schools.
VITTA Recycling Position Statement
VITTA recommends that:
- VITTA intends to construct a page on our website about the need for recycling and post this statement online;
- VITTA is actively involved in contacting organisations which are engaged in the recycling of computers to further general knowledge of computer recycling;
- Schools themselves should approach one of the recyclers, such as Planet Ark, to become involved in recycling computers from their local communities and ensure that all used computers are either distributed to needy families or recycled in an environmentally sensitive manner.
Promote the important role for VITTA and IT Teachers to educate staff and students in the environmental impact of e-waste and the appropriate recycling and disposal of computers.
Help contribute to the development of any legislative changes and review of any technological solutions to promote computer recycling.
Follow these links:
http://vic.computerbank.org.au/
http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/ewaste/default.htm
http://www.planetark.com
http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/NewseWasteBytebackProgram27June2005?searchTerms[]=recycling
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/01/north_america_a.php
https://greenpc.infoxchange.net.au/shopcart/browse.chtml
http://www.apple.com/au/environment/recycling/program/
Revised with the assistance of David Dawson and Roland Gesthuizen
Authorised by the VITTA State Committee of Management
Date of Issue: November 2006