Political Economy of E-Waste
Introduction to E-Waste
While developed countries and the west, in general, continue to take pride in applying modern technology in their activities, some parts of the world seem to be losing because of the same developments in the west. The countries in the global north are pursuing modern technology in all respects possible. There are hundreds of thousands of electronic waste products that are generated from such pursuits. The electronic devices developed in these countries are largely sold in countries with a ready market to receive them. The devices come with a limited life span. They often stop functioning after their lifespan has lapsed. It follows that such devices and equipment has to be disposed off. It is this aspect of handling the products of technology that causes a major problem in some countries. Most of the devices contain metallic parts and toxic constituents. The toxins cause a major risk to the environment. Indeed, some have been cited to be the triggers for terminal sicknesses including cancer, asthma and a myriad of other health complications.
The electronic devices generated in such countries in the global north as Germany and the UK is sold to countries such as Ghana and China. The E-waste contains such toxic elements as lead mercury. Such chemicals and metals have a destructive impact on the environment and the ecosystems including harming humans.[footnoteRef:1] It's possible that such electronic waste is shipped to the receiving countries deliberately. It seems to me that the developed countries that generate such waste have malicious intent. The devices are usually sent to receiving countries in the name of goodwill donations. This essay addresses the need to address the issue of E-waste dumping by developed countries in developing countries. The motive is to find a solution to stop the suffering that poor people have to endure because of the E-waste dumping practice. [1: "Chapter 5 -- Environmental and Health Risks: Unusual Expansion of Waste Incineration in China Needs Attention," Chinese Research Perspectives Online (n.d.), xx, doi:10.1163/2213-6002_crpn_liu_9789004324596_0006.
The damage caused by these electronic devices, when dumped, depends on the toxins and other constituents used to manufacture them. Some pose more serious danger than others. It is clear that most of these electronic equipments do not decompose easily, and often require complex processes to either recycle or dispose them off via incineration[footnoteRef:3]. Some electronic devices that are commonly dumped in developing countries include LCD screens, TFT monitors, smart phones, computers, CRTs and electronic trackers. It has been reported that 93% of these devices are dumped in Africa and Asia. These items have also been reported to pass through many bodies masquerading as recyclers, but only ship them to cause harm in poor countries. It has been observed that only a small fraction of these devices are recycled. The rest are sent to the poor countries and end up as toxic landfills that forever keep polluting the environment and cause untold suffering among the people and other life forms in affected environments. [3: "Watchdog group tracks what really happens to your 'recycled' e-waste" -- PBS News Hour
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/watchdog-group-tracks-what-really-happens-to-your-recycled-e-waste/ "]
In terms of figures, over 40% of the electronics delivered to recycling firms…
The quality life would include provision of good education, health care, adequate employment opportunities, safe drinking water and clean air, reduction of crime and many more (World Bank 2004, p.1). This report also poses that a country will only be deemed developed when life expectancy increases, provide average income and ensure adult literacy. In brief human development involves all features of individuals' well-being, this range from health condition to
IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: Case study: GHANA EDUCATION SYSTEM RESEARCH FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: GHANA EDUCATION SYSTEM The need for improvements in the educational system in Ghana today is greater than ever before, but there are some sophisticated research methods available that can help educational reformers in Ghana accomplish these important goals. In order to determine which research approach is superior for this purpose,
Emerging Issues: BREXIT - Impact on Developing Countries Emerging Issues: BREXIT - Impact on Developing CountriesBrexit is an abbreviation term used to refer to British exit from the European Union following the decision through a vote on 23rd of June 2016. As a result, new trade policies were designed to look into the United Kingdom�s new strategic interests (Adeoye, 2021). The majority of Brexit supporters have claimed the need to
Management of Technology in Developing Countries Such as Iran Technology management arrangements of developing countries vary from those of first world ones. The requirement for skill in these states is not growing from within, but somewhat cropping up from new wares imported from first world countries. Technological growth in addition does not consequence from inner data and research, but resulting upon the technology transmission from abroad. In these environments, technology management
DEVELOPMENT RELATED CONTROVERSIES TAKING PLACE WITHIN GHANA or BETWEEN GHANA and OUTSIDE ENTITIES Despite the promise of new oil revenues in the future, Ghana continues to struggle to allocate scarce resources in response to international issues including expatriates returning from abroad as well as significant numbers of refugees from neighboring countries, including 11,585 from Liberia and another 16,000 from Cote d'Ivoire (Transnational issues). In addition, the country is heavily involved in
Ghana was ranked at 67.5 that depicts that the country is in the median range of being a failed state (FFP, ffp.statesindex.org). This ranking is significantly better as compared to other African countries but significant improvement is desired. Mounting demographic pressures and internal displacement of population of Ghana is within the medium range. Poverty index, part of the failed state index, is at 6.0 for Ghana that represents that
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now