Electronic waste represents one of the largest growing streams of waste shipped

Question

Electronic waste represents one of the largest growing streams of waste shipped across national borders. The waste from electronic products such as computers often contains lead, mercury, cadmium, and other toxic metals. The Basel Action Network (check out their website: http://www.ban.org/) estimates that up to 80% of e-waste collected in the US for recycling is shipped overseas to developing countries (“South”) and has called for a ban on this trade. They argue that many of these countries lack the capacity to properly reclaim and then dispose of these hazardous materials.  

Should this shipping be allowed?

What do you think are the strongest arguments in favor of this trade? Against this trade? Under what circumstances do you think it should be allowed or restricted? (Remember to take the “Southern” and “Indigenous” perspectives under consideration as you answer these questions.)

Explanation / Answer

Scenario: Nearly 80% of e-waste collected from US is shipped overseas to the developing countries. These e-wastes contain harmful metals and chemicals like lead, cadmium and mercury. The developing countries have called for ban of this approach arguing that most of the countries do not have sufficient capacity to reclaim as well as dispose these hazardous materials.

1. In my opinion, this shipping should not be allowed as the US has advance systems and technology for waste management. Hence, our country should try to process the waste and dispose it on our own rather than shipping it to countries who are not that much efficient. Improper recycling and disposal of these hazardous chemicals would harm the environment as well as the health and life of people and other creatures. This would ultimately impact the overall environment, human, and ecosystem across the globe. Therefore, shipment of e-waste should not be allowed to these countries.

2. Strongest arguments in favor of this trade are that the metals which are highly dangerous for the mankind and environment are recycled and disposed within our country. Rest of the waste are shipped to the countries having necessary infrastructure and capability to recycle and dispose them.

The strongest argument against this trade will be that this shipment would harm the health of human life as well as the ecosystem. Therefore, the developed country should not ship their e-waste to developing countries.

This trade should be allowed or restricted after in-depth analysis of the impact of improper recycling and disposal of e-waste on human and ecosystem health. To deal with the issue, the developed countries should try to identify a sustainable technique to process, recycle, and dispose e-waste.

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