Digital Waste Management and Environmental Impact

Abstract

Every year millions of electrical and electronic devices are discarded and thrown away as products break down or become obsolete. These discarded devices are considered Digital waste (D-waste) and can become a threat to health and the environment if not properly disposed of and recycled. Common items in d-waste streams include computers, cell phones, large household appliances and medical equipment.  When d-waste is recycled using unhealthy activities, it can release up to 1000 different chemicals into the environment, including known neurotoxic substances such as lead. D-waste is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world. Less than a quarter of the d-waste generated globally in 2022 is known to be formally recycled, but d-waste streams contain valuable and finite resources that could be reused if properly recycled. D-waste Once they become waste, these toxic substances can be released into the environment if devices are managed using environmentally unsound practices and activities. Many inappropriate practices have been observed at D-waste sites, including the following. These activities are considered hazardous to the environment and health because they release toxic pollutants and contaminate air, soil, dust and water at recycling sites and in neighboring communities. Open burning and heating are considered the most hazardous activities due to the toxic fumes generated. Once released into the environment, these toxic pollutants can travel significant distances from the point of pollution, exposing people in remote areas to hazardous substances.