Research Paper on E-Waste and E-Waste Management

Introduction

The concept of electronic waste continues to be a growing concern in the modern environment. Both developing and developed nations continue to be affected by the aspect of electronic waste in terms of peoples health, pollution of air and water. Digital technology has been introduced to device recycling techniques which are aimed at the reduction of this concern. Such technology has also been employed to provide effective ways of metal recovery from electronic waste. Recovering metals such as gold and copper from electronic waste can improve the condition of the environment (Memon and Pitroda 2016, p. 2). Use of digital technology has contributed to the elimination of electronic devices which end up being disposed of in the environment. Other methods such as valuable metal recovery can be employed to obtain valuable materials from electronic waste and prevent the pollution of the environment. In this paper, a detailed literature review will cover various aspects of e-waste and e-waste management. Some of the fields that will be analyzed include concept of waste and waste management, waste hierarchy, e-waste and reverse logistics.

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Review of Literature

In this paper, previous studies were used to study the application of cloud technology on the control of E-waste in the environment. Most of these studies were based on the technological advancements which have been applied in electronic devices to limit the number of devices which end up being disposed of in the environment. Research conducted by Memon and Pitroda (2016) was aimed at identifying the procedures which can be employed to recover precious and base metals which contribute to the pollution of the environment (1). In this research, the authors suggested that rapid technological development has contributed to an increase in electronics which result in waste. Technological advancements have been experienced in various fields such as medicine, media, and learning institutions. Once the electronic devices used in these fields become exhausted, they end up being disposed of in the environment on most occasions rather than being recycled (Memon and Pitroda 2016, p. 1). However, most of these waste products are composed of precious and base metals which can be used for other purposes. An example of such metals includes copper and gold (Memon and Pitroda 2016, p. 1). Most printed circuit boards are characterized by such metals. Rather than being dumped in landfills, the authors suggested that the metals can be employed to produce new electronic components whose performance does not contribute to the pollution of the environment. Gold recovery techniques used to mine gold can be used in the process of E-waste management to prevent the increase in the occurrence of waste in the environment. Other processes such as Dissolution of gold in Thiosulphate solutions can also be employed to ensure that the valuable metal is obtained from the waste that contributes to the pollution of the environment (Memon and Pitroda 2016, p. 2). This research was therefore effective in the identification of the various ways in which pollution can be prevented through the use of metal recovery techniques.

Research conducted by Vidyadhar (2016) was aimed at the evaluation of the technology that can be employed to recover metal from electronic waste. This technology was considered to be valuable due to its effect of preventing the occurrence of e-waste in the environment. Lack of proper collection and disposal systems have caused electronic waste to become a growing concern in the modern environment. Vidyadhar (2016) identified personal computers to be the biggest contributors of e-waste (121). Other electronic devices identified in this case included tvs and mobile phones. The urgency of recycling electronic waste has contributed to the development of various technological options which are currently being employed to ensure that there is a significant reduction of this type of waste in the environment. An example of such technologies includes eCycling techniques(Vidyadhar 2016, p. 122). This technology is used to encourage electronic users to aid the government in the safe disposal of electronic waste. Different bodies such as the United Nations have been involved in the process of encouraging users to play a key role in the overall reduction of E-waste through the use of technological advancements. Growing concerns about this type of waste have been identified in various nation such as China and the United Kingdom. The researcher concluded the study by suggesting that the use of technological innovations such as subsequent upgrades of products and safe disposal of E-waste can contribute to the protection of the environment.

Research conducted by Gonul, Pourreza, Tran, and Prybutok (2016) was aimed at identifying the determinants and logistics of e-waste recycling. This research was based on the argument that the introduction of new electronic devices in the environment has contributed to the continued rise in electronic waste. The environment continues to be threatened by the waste due to the production of gases such as Nitrogen from the waste. However, the introduction of eCycling programs has enabled various parties such as the managers of companies to control the spread of waste in the environment. Such programs have been focused on the identification of waste that continues to threaten the safe condition of the environment (Gonul et al. 2016, p. 53). After the identification of the electronic waste, safety measures have been employed to control the spread of such waste in various locations such as water bodies. Managers continue to be encouraged to be keen on the adoption of eCycling techniques due to their contribution to the control of electronic waste. Students from various learning institutions such as universities have also been involved in the control of electronic waste through the application of similar programs. The practical implications of the study were to help managers to play a key role in the control of electronic waste through the use of eCycling programs (Gonul et al. 2016, p. 53). User-friendly features should be employed to ensure that electronic devices provide high performance and reduce the number of components that result in wastage. The authors of the research concluded the study by suggesting that a focus on social responsibility is an aspect that can play a key role in the reduction of electronic waste in the environment (Gonul et al. 2016, p. 66).

Research conducted by Osibanjo and Nnorom (2015) was aimed at identifying the challenge of electronic waste in nations that have been unable to adopt technological advancements that can be employed to minimize such waste. Internet networking has contributed to the occurrence of waste in the modern environment, a factor which continues to impact the environments of developing nations (Osibanjo and Nnorom 2015, p. 491). Such countries continue to adopt technological advancements in the form of personal computers and smart phones. The rise in the number of such devices has resulted in waste that has impacted various nations specifically in Africa. According to the authors, lack of legislation which can be used to encourage companies and other organizations to employ effective waste management techniques has made nations such as Nigeria to become affected by the presence of electronic waste (Osibanjo and Nnorom 2015, p. 495). One of the other factors that continue to affect such countries is the adoption of wrong management techniques. Use of the inappropriate management of end-of-life waste EEE has caused these countries to be unable to control the spread of waste in the environment. The researcher concluded by stating that developing countries should be encouraged to employ cloud technology to promote the management of electronic waste.

In this study, secondary research was applied to provide information concerning e-waste management and the application of cloud technology to control the spread of electronic waste. Journals within the past five years were applied in the research to provide the required details. An example of the journals which were applied in the research included the one written by Vidyadhar (2016), Osibanjo and Nnorom (2015) and the research conducted by Garlapati (2016). Most of these researchers had a detailed study that included different methodologies and sampling of populations in regions affected by the issue of electronic waste. From these researches, it was possible to conduct an analysis of the effects of electronic waste in different regions such as China, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom. Primary research was also applied in the form of surveys and interviews.

Concept of Waste and Waste Management

Previous studies have been focused on the concept of waste and waste management. Most of these studies have been based on the study of how waste pollutes the environment and how management procedures can be employed to prevent such pollution. An example of such studies includes the ones conducted by Garlapati (2016) and vidyadhar 2016). In the United States of America, research shows that a total of approximately 20 million tons of waste is being experienced every year. E-waste is used to represent the electronic devices which have been exhausted by their users (Garlapati 2016, p. 874). The services of such devices are no longer required. As a result, they end up being disposed of in the environment, a factor which may contribute to pollution of the environment. One of the factors that are contributing to the increased concern of E-waste is the fact that people are preferring to use new electronic devices rather than recycling the ones they already have (Garlapati 2016, p. 875). Most companies have also focused on the production of new devices which are more advanced in terms of specifications. This factor has contributed to the growing concern of E-waste in the environment.

Results from the research conducted by Vidyadhar (2016) shows that Different concepts have been introduced to address the issue of waste management. An example of such concepts includes waste hierarchy and the polluter pays principle. Most of these concepts have been focused on improving the responsibility factor of people in society. Polluter pays principle is a concept which is applied to punish individuals who are responsible for polluting the environment intentionally (Vidyadhar 2016). E-waste management can be enhanced by the adoption of cloud digital technology. This technology has introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) through the development of legislation and administrations aimed at reducing pollution of E-waste (Vidyadhar 2016). Cloud digital technology has encouraged different parties to recover valuable metal and reduce their effects on pollution of the environment.

Waste Hierarchy

Waste hierarchy refers to the set of priorities employed to prevent the spread of electronic waste. Such priorities have been employed in various nations such as China and Nigeria to provide programs which can be used to control the spread of waste in the environment. Some of the steps which are followed in this process include avoidance, resources recovery, and disposal. Avoidance involves the actions which are concerned with the reduction of waste produced by households. Resource recovery involves different processes such as re-use, recycling, and energy recovery. Disposal requires managers in companies to be responsible for the process of disposing of waste. Results from the research conducted by Ferrari, Gamberini, and Rimini (2016) showed that tactical and operational approach can be employed to reduce the effects of electronic waste. In the study, a developing nation was employed to provide information that w...