The power struggle
22 February 2010
In this week's newsletter, Urgent need to prepare developing countries for e-waste surge explains that 'countries face the spectre of hazardous e-waste mountains with serious consequences for the environment and public health'.
That’s according to UN experts in the report from UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme).
Furthermore, EMTww recently featured a story from ABI Research which claimed: ‘worldwide market for e-waste recovery will grow from $5.7 billion in 2009 to nearly $14.7 billion by the end of 2014, representing a CAGR of 20.8% over the forecast period’.
These estimations indicates a substantial rise in e-waste is just around the corner, and with the advent of 3D televisions in our homes, it’s probably fair to say that a lot of consumers will replace their existing sets and upgrade to the latest technology. But what happens to the old TVs? Basel Action Network (BAN) has warned that old electronics should not be handed over to any company calling itself a recycler. With the very best intentions, we may inadvertently be condemning our out-of-date equipment to spend its final days in Africa. Without a substantial infrastructure to take back old electronics, this pattern of activity could perpetuate and continue, subjecting innocent people to hazardous materials. If it does continue for several years, will the brand new electronics we're seeing now appear on an unorthodox scrapheap of the future?
Then there’s the issue of technology in cars. We’ve all become aware of Toyota’s woes, and I now find myself moving over for my own safety if there’s a Prius behind me. Wondering whether your environmentally friendly hybrid car will speed off uncontrollably into the distance and wreak havoc on the local environment must add a certain element of excitement to every journey. But on a serious note, electronic throttle controls, computer-controlled braking, and push-button ‘keyless’ ignition systems, amongst a plethora of other gadgets present challenges to drivers that have become used to driving their car, and not their car driving them. So when modern cars do reach the end of their useful life, will we have the capacity to recycle not only the batteries, but also the technology that makes up the heart of these vehicles? The rising popularity of hybrid power will create an enormous workload in the future, and e-waste will have to go somewhere.
When we invest in new technology, we are clearly thinking about the here and now, but should we give a bit more thought to the long-term, and not just how the materials can be recycled, but also how the technology can be re-used?
What are your thoughts on this subject? Let me know by sending an email to: paul.wolfe@imlgroup.co.uk.
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