What is e-waste

Identify the problem

Table with the composition of a PC

The Increasing use of e-waste.
Managing e-waste and reality in Greece
1. In areas: trash and junk yard.
2. In shops selling hand e-waste
3. Systematic collection of e-waste
The legislative framework for the
e-waste management of Greece
How has advanced Systematic collection of e-waste.
CONCLUSIONS
Bibliography
 

Web page information on the management and reuse of
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE -ewaste)


 
   
 
 Identify the problem

The computers, their peripherals (monitors, printers, etc.) and general consumer electronics more than 1,000 materials, including toxic gases, toxic metals, biologically active materials, acids and plastics. Such materials are and various heavy metals such as lead and mercury, which is highly toxic and cause abnormalities in development even at low levels of exposure, cadmium carcinogen producing acute poisoning after inhaling fumes of cadmium oxide, chromium causing lung volume, barium, antimony and certain non-biodegradable plastics that emit dioxins when burned. Dioxins do not degrade easily. These are substances that accumulate in the tissues of humans and animals, and traces have been found in human blood, breast milk, marine mammals and fish in salt and fresh water.
These substances are present in any appreciable quantities of computer batteries, cathode ray tubes in monitors, electronic circuits, the capacitors, to ink containers (cartridges) and toners of printers at different plastics, appliances and elsewhere. Under special circumstances, such as eg burning of plastic computer or not a landfill component, some of these substances can be released in nature and contaminate air, soil and water resources. Illustration, a computer monitor contains between one and three kilos of lead, which is enough to contaminate a small lake [1].

The same goes for other heavy metals, which are due to toxicity of high risk not only for the environment and health. Clearly then, computers are thrown "lightly" in the rubbish bin and from there to a landfill, are a time bomb for the environment, a mine for the ecosystem, the magnitude of which also constantly growing.

 
2009-2010