For this case study response, you need to analyze and study the subject presented below and compose an essay response answering the questions posed. Your writing should concentrate on the development of specific events, issues, or conditions of the subject and their relationships. For this activity, you are being asked to write a complete essay, not just an outline as was done in Module 3. Please proceed to the Case Study Questions. Case Study Questions Define the e-waste problem. What is happening and why is this an issue? What can manufacturers do to improve the situation (raw materials, by-products, hazardous materials, health, recycling, refuse, etc.)? The topic addresses how products are manufactured as well as the disposal of our technology devices and gadgets. How companies address these issues may impact your purchasing decisions. To begin, view the following video. How E-Waste is Recycled (ERAU – 6:35) Next, read the following: Sustainable Electronics – 10 Facts You Need

. As a result, the amount of electronic waste being created on an annual basis is large. It is estimated that the total amount of electronic waste stands at over 53.6 tonnes. After the global COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of reliance on electronic devices went up, and as a result, e-waste is expected to increase in the future. The most effective method of e-waste management is recycling. However, some electronic components can not be recycled, and others are too expensive to be recycled (Kang & Schoenung, 2018). It is the responsibility of every consumer to dispose of any electronic device in their ownership properly.

One of the most dangerous aspects of electronic waste is that if not properly handled. Electronic devices such as CRT monitors contain hazardous levels of heavy metals such as lead. Therefore, improper disposal of electronic waste can lead to poisoning or environmental damage. Subsequently, the burning of electronic waste can release toxic fumes into the air, which is a hazard for both livestock and human health. Electronic waste can also reduce the fertility of soils affecting the global food supply and affecting farmers’ source of income (Abdelbasir et al. 2018).

Manufacturers of electronic devices can help fight the problem of electronic waste. Manufacturers can decide on a policy that encourages them to use recyclable components during the manufacturing process. Manufacturers can also use durable materials in the making of electronics; this way, consumers do not keep purchasing new products. It is also the responsibility of manufacturers to provide instructions on how to dispose of their electronics and the dangers it pose if not correctly disposed of. Manufacturers can also use components that can easily be opened into smaller parts for easier storage and recycling.

Governments are also another major stakeholder in the proper management of electronic waste. The introduction of policies and laws that guide the use of harmful material in the manufacture of electronics can go a long way in solving the e-waste problem. Governments can also provide requirements such as land for landfills and the subsidization of equipment used in the recycling of electronic components. Governments can also offer tax incentives to companies that recycle and companies that use recyclable materials in manufacturing (Park et al., 2019).

References

Abdelbasir, S. M., Hassan, S. S., Kamel, A. H., & El-Nasr, R. S. (2018). Status of electronic waste recycling techniques: a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(17), 16533-16547.

Hsu, E., Barmak, K., West, A. C., & Park, A. H. A. (2019). Advancements in the treatment and processing of electronic waste with sustainability: a review of metal extraction and recovery technologies. Green chemistry, 21(5), 919-936.