What did you do with that old TV or computer that finally died? Is it still sitting in a corner of the house, waiting for the day you figure out what to do with it? Or did you just throw it in the trash and hope that the garbage collector didn't notice? Do you even know how to dispose of it properly? And would you make the effort to take it to a certified e-waste recycler? You should. Electronic waste, known as e-waste, is listed as the most hazardous type on the planet. High-tech electronics contain dozens of materials that can be harmful to the environment and human health. While the equipment is intact, they are harmless. However, if physically damaged, dismantled or improperly disposed, the toxins can leak into the soil, groundwater and air. Even cellphones contain toxins that can leach into the soil and poison it. E-waste has become an issue of serious concern to environmentalists globally, as a growing number of electronic items are discarded in landfills every year. The problem is further compounded by the fact that many of the elements used to make consumer electronics are quite valuable, leading companies to attempt to recover them from abandoned electronics, and discard unwanted parts in a manner which is unsafe. In the 21st century electronic waste is the fastest growing waste in the world, because of the constant upgrades in technology. Computers alone account for 50 million tons of waste annually.
Legislation needed
Brian Allum is the managing director of Piranha International Ltd, a waste management company that deals with electronic waste, recycling (of plastics) and software development. He says ensuring that e-waste is properly disposed of is a collaborative effort that begins with the consumer. Speaking from Piranha's office in Couva, Allum said companies should not allow waste-management companies to collect their electronic waste without ensuring that the company is legitimate, and has been properly certified to collect and dispose of hazardous waste. He said because there are no policies or regulation on the collection and disposal of e-waste in T&T, anyone can print a certificate of disposal. "This happens a lot and the items collected end up on a back road somewhere, or the landfill," says Allum. In addition to the need for legislation to deal with this type of dumping, consumers also need to do their homework and take individual responsibility. "Don't just hand over your electronics to a company that claims it disposes of e-waste," Allum warned. "Ensure that this company is certified by visiting the facility to get firsthand knowledge of what is happening. Ask to see documents supporting its claim as a certified company. You reserve this right. "In addition, you can visit the EMA to verify the company's certification." So what credentials does Piranha have to manage e-waste? To begin with, a certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) from the EMA, says Allum. The company is also registered and is compliant with the E-Steward Standard, which was developed by the Basel Action Network, an international NGO working to prevent the globalisation of the toxic chemical crisis. This standard speaks to all the environmental laws in North America and Europe, and mandates that hazardous waste transported or moved to another country is done with a permit system. Besides the need for interest by the private and public sectors, Allum says the Government really needs to step up on legislation. "Legislation on proper waste disposal must be implemented and enforced," he says. "There must be some form of product stewardship, with manufacturers and all in the distribution channel having the responsibility of managing proper disposal of electronics."
Proper disposal
When e-waste reaches a waste-management facility it should first be divided into two categories-maximum and recycle (investigation to see if it can be reused) and destruction and recycle (immediately destroyed). Whatever is kept should be carefully documented, including the model, serial number and weight of the computer, as well as a general and internal number so it can be tracked. Allum said some of the equipment received in working condition can certainly be refurbished and donated. Piranha is a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher which means the company can then install licensed operating software onto the recycled unit. They also convert plastics into sound-proofing for rooms and music studios; while steel and metal, and glass from CRT monitors are also reused. There is a cost to recycle e-waste though, depending on the bulk or condition of the electronics. Allum said since there are no subsidies from the Government to recycle e-waste, ethical disposal involves paying for the use of licensed facilities to process the waste materials that Piranha can't. "This is a volume-driven industry and we are yet to receive consistent, large numbers of electronic items that would justify us purchasing the equipment to break down the items at this time," he explained. "Items are broken down as much as possible and then shipped abroad to specialist facilities where the recovery processes take place." Piranha only works with certified e-Steward recyclers, audited by third-party auditors. This is to prevent the e-waste being shipped to developing countries to be dumped, and children or prison labour being used in the disposal process. T&T is a signatory to, and has ratified the Basel Convention. This means all shipments of hazardous waste must be accompanied by a Basel Permit issued by the EMA. In 2011 Piranha processed about 600,000 pounds of e-waste, equivalent to 250-300 tons processed annually.
Policy coming says Chandresh Sharma
Minister of Local Government Chandresh Sharma said e-waste has become a global challenge. He said in the past it was just dumped in the waterways and landfill as there was no policy and knowledge on proper disposal was limited. He says education has changed this in some parts of the world. He recalled an incident years ago where lead-contaminated waste was found in La Chance Trace, Arima, and in Wallerfield at Demerara Road. High concentrations of lead were found in the soil and water, poisoning more than 400 residents, among them 180 children. "The government has taken a very strict approach on the disposal of e-waste," says Sharma. "Any private organisation disposing of this type of waste must be certified." Sharma said to enforce this, a policy has been drafted on waste management due to be brought before Cabinet. The policy will look at the various categories of waste and management of disposal, recycling (incentives to encourage recycling), guidelines for waste management companies and penalties and fines for improper disposal of hazardous waste. He said the Ministry is moving to implement home recycling bins in all homes to reduce the amount of waste that reaches the landfill. Education programmes on general waste disposal and management are also on the Minister's agenda to bring about public awareness. "It has not been our culture to really care sincerely about what happens to the waste that leaves our homes or when we dispose of them improperly, "says Sharma. "Getting the public to become more environmentally conscious will not happen overnight." He said hopefully having the policy will begin to change things.
EMA on e-waste
The T&T Guardian spoke with EMA's corporate communications officer Nicole Bachan on its role in ensuring e-waste is properly disposed. Bachan said, as it pertains to the Designated Activities, if the e-waste is being recycled or materials are recovered from its constituent parts, then this would fall under the Certificate of Environmental Clearance Designated Activity No 37: (Recovery recycling or incineration of waste, where it refers to the "establishment, modification, expansion, decommissioning or abandonment of a facility for handling, storage, treatment or disposal of hazardous substance). "In addition, for transporting the e-waste across our borders, the Basel Convention is utilised, she added. She said as far as regulating organisations and industries, the EMA currently operates within the confines of the CEC conditions contained in the certificate. Currently only one CEC has been issued for disposal of e-waste. Asked if the EMA would be getting involved on clamping down on companies acting without proper licence or certification, Bachan said the EMA would have to do more investigations on these companies (if existing) to see if they predate the CEC rules.