Exploring The Lifecycle And Impact Of Digital Technologies On E-waste Assignment Sample

Introduction  To:Exploring The Lifecycle And Impact Of Digital Technologies On E-waste

Digital technologies are strongly featured in contemporary life, but their short cycles of innovation contribute hugely to the global problem of e-waste. All the way from a smartphone to a laptop, laptops, and large data centers' facilities, in a life cycle, improper disposal is usually promoted, which further activates environmental damage and health problems globally, especially in underprivileged areas. This paper discusses the ecological, environmental, and operational implications of digital technologies-from early obsolescence to energy-intensive data centers and everything in between. This analysis thus examining the global implications of e-waste calls for changes in sustainable practices to redesign, use, and dispose of devices.

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Activity 5.1: E-Waste in Ghana

Figure 1: Waste of Ghana

(Source: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu)

E-waste in the nation of Ghana, Agbobloshie exposes the problematic environmental and health crisis brewing because of this status as the world's largest e-waste dump. The soil here has toxic levels exceeding WHO limits 2,000 parts per million lead concentrations. Health checks of the locals reveal alarming levels of contamination in blood and urine, exposing them to immense health risks that may eventually lead to long-term chronic illness and even death. Viktor Schafer, a waste management consultant in this region, says, "The intent of environmental laws remains very much a theory in these places since a piece of paper is worth only as much as it is implemented.". Whereas this sector of e-waste is protected by legislation concerning the health of the public, it has been an easy target for profiteering activities, relegating danger to the background and a seat for safety (Van der Merwe and Brugger 2021). The living conditions are horrific, and the burning of plastics aids in releasing poisons in a cocktail of deadly toxins in the environment. They, however, showed a concern for the health issues for themselves, for the children, and an urgent need for international attention and intervention in the face of such critical issues for improvement of living conditions for persons in Agbobloshie.

Reference

Van der Merwe, A. and Brugger, F., 2021. Case study: The digital device life cycle: From mining to e-waste.

Activity 5.2: Personal Experiences with Digital Technologies

Reasons for Discarding Devices

The units are also scrapped due to hardware failure or as a result of newer, faster technologies or software upgrades, which either slow down the device or make it look and feel obsolete. Besides, there are urges to upgrade for better features or better aesthetic appeal. Most of these devices are disposed of through recycling bins or donation programs, but in many such cases, there is still a great concern regarding the proper handling and recycling of the e-waste .

Methods of Disposal

Many often throw the devices in recycling bins, donation programs, or general wastes. Recycling is offered to collect e-waste, which handles and recovers usable components (Withanage and Habib 2021). While many of the donated devices are given a new life for helping other people, this can also largely be recovered from landfills due to a lack of full trust in recycling processes.

Confidence in Recycling Processes

Confidence in recycling processes for e-waste is often low due to concerns about how many of these items might be handled improperly and exported to economically poorer countries. There are many recycling bins, but it's not clear whether they actually promote responsible processing. Without transparency in how the e-waste is being managed, there's still skepticism about how really materials are recycled properly or that environmental hazards are truly being dealt with.

Reference

Withanage, S.V. and Habib, K., 2021. Life cycle assessment and material flow analysis: two under-utilized tools for informing E-waste management. Sustainability, 13(14), p.7939.

Activity 5.3: Operational Lifespan of Technologies

Figure 2: 

(Source: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu)

Estimated Lifespans of Various Devices

The operational life spans of most digital technologies are measured differently. Generally, desktops tend to live from 5 to 7 years, while a laptop lasts from 3 to 5 years. Smartphones or iPhones last very well, lasting around 4 to 6 years in most cases. Printers have a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years, and thin panel displays last around 7 to 10 years. Ipads fall between 5 to 7 years. Most of these gadgets get discarded before they can fully serve because of the introduction of new technology, software demands, or user preference, increasing the e-waste issue.

Discussion on Premature Disposal

The other considerable problem of prematurity in the disposal of digital appliances is a fact. It happens mostly due to an attraction for the latest technology, periodic updates of software, and societal influence to carry the newest models. Most consumers discard working devices because, due to new software that is more resource-intensive, they are no longer working well. Hardware also deteriorates because of accidental damage rather than inherent obsolescence. This helps to fuel the rapidly growing e-waste problem and denies the economy valuable recoverable resources, as these devices could be safely recovered (Andersen and Halse 2023). That challenge will be addressed to a large extent by reducing environmental impacts through encouraging extended use and repair of this product.

Reference

Andersen, T. and Halse, L.L., 2023. Product Lifecycle Information Flow in E-waste Handling: a Means to Increase Circularity?. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3(4), pp.1941-1962.

Activity 5.4: Historical Comparison of Computer Systems

Apollo Spacecraft vs. Modern Computers

The onboard computers of the late 1960s and early 1970s Apollo spacecraft used in the moon missions are laughably primitive by today's standards, yet the systems aboard managed to get astronauts to the Moon, land it on the lunar surface, and return it safely to Earth with only a little under 64KB of memory and a clock speed of around 1 MHz. Although limited by the technology available at the time, these computers were amazing for their reliability and efficiency in the extreme conditions (He et al. 2022). In contrast, desktop and laptop computers available today have processing speeds measured in gigahertz, with more than 8GB of memory. With many applications now having access to that kind of capacity, complex work such as video editing, intense games, and complex simulations are commonplace. The tasks managed today are far more complex than those run on the Apollo systems. While the Apollo computers were primarily for navigation and control, their existing equipment today runs a much more complex software package that runs artificial intelligence and even cloud computing. That is not only a reflection of the way technology has changed but also a desire to make computative power part of everyday life, showing just how far we have come since the beginning of the space race. The contrast brings to light the ingenuity of previous innovations and the exponential growth of technology that is helping shape our world.

Reference

He, P., Feng, H., Chhipi‐Shrestha, G., Hewage, K. and Sadiq, R., 2022. Life Cycle Assessment of e‐Waste–Waste Cellphone Recycling. Electronic Waste: Recycling and Reprocessing for a Sustainable Future, pp.231-253.

Activity 5.5: Ethical Responsibilities of Software Developers

Discussion on Software Support for Older Products

The ethical responsibilities of software developers do not end when the product hits the marketplace but continue into offering support for older versions as well. With rapid technological advancement, users face dilemmas of outdated software that may no longer carry security updates or even support. Therefore, they are much at risk of cyberattacks and data breaches if running critical tasks on legacy systems (He et al. 2023). The developers have a moral obligation to take into account the environmental consequences of their decisions because the decision to withdraw support can inadvertently promote electronic waste by discarding old software. Encouraging its customers to replace their equipment and software may also encourage accelerating the lifecycle of obsolescence, thereby promoting early retirement of functioning devices. Supporting earlier versions of software promotes user confidence and loyalty as users care about companies that care to be concerned with their long-term needs and preferences. The ethical development of the software should inform its users about timelines concerning support, facilitate viable alternative options for those who cannot upgrade, and be sustainable. It is such a balance between innovation and responsibility that can make the world of software development minimize its negative impact on the environment, while ensuring the products in their hands will not harm users (Shaikh, Thomas and Zuhair 2020). This would indeed be a benefit not only for the environment but also in terms of user satisfaction and loyalty level.

Reference

Shaikh, S., Thomas, K. and Zuhair, S., 2020. An exploratory study of e-waste creation and disposal: Upstream considerations. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 155, p.104662.

Activity 5.6: Impact of IoT on Product Lifecycles

Figure 4: IOT life cycle

(Source: https://www.iottechexpo.com)

Future of Smart Appliances

Smart appliances have tremendous opportunities to revolutionize the product life cycles since they infuse IoT into everyday devices, enabling sensors to transmit real-time data over their connectivity and adding functionality and ease of use, and this represents what effect of IoT can have on the product life cycles. It can turn out to bring about energy efficiency, which would make such appliances shift functions depending on usage and peak hours as well. This may also imply that the lifespans of these devices will be prolonged since they will receive software upgrades and improvements during their lifetimes, which may also delay obsolescence. Interestingly, it is estimated that the number of PCs in use has grown from almost 33 million in 1985 to over 2 billion in 2016-technological growth, indeed. However, this constant connectivity "hangover" exposes individuals to privacy and security risks due to the fact that these devices become susceptible to hackers' attacks (Яфень and Шевченко 2023). However, its smartness may also make it more unrepairable, thus not consumer friendly and likely to be disposed of when they are faulty and not repaired. Their product may not take into account sustainability proper in design since manufacturers will go into innovation, and later on, they may become products that cannot be recycled anymore. Hence, there is a need for the developers to come up with such appliances which not only follow parameters of technological excellence but also resonate with environmental sensibility. In this regard, IoT in appliances will rise to achieve higher efficiency and functionality; however, caution must be exercised for the sake of the environment.

Reference

Яфень, Х. and Шевченко, Т., 2023. Exploring digital technologies and smart systems used in e-waste management in China: seminal research themes. Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University, (3 (95)), pp.3-9.

Activity 5.7: Data Center Energy Consumption

Insights from Google Data Center Video

Energy consumption and concern for data centers: Google is concerned with energy consumption, like the e-waste challenges it faces in many countries, including Ghana. Its data centers have become extremely efficient at housing thousands of servers that are accountable for huge online operations relating from search queries to video streaming. Although Google uses the latest technologies to reduce the use of energy and carbon, the opposite is violently staring these third world countries in the face. Ghana needs the implementation of sustainable energy sources since it has no control over the electronic waste that flows in from the world when such electronic equipment is discarded (Hariyani et al. 2024). High energy consumption by data centers only exacerbates environmental problems in areas battling with issues of littering and health hazards. The other relevant inequality mentioned by the dialogue between high-tech data centres and informal e-waste recycling in Ghana is resource management. Sustainable energy consumption practice through data centers would become examples for Ghana to push green approaches to utilizing and wasting technology (Owusu 2024). A collaborative response to these issues can also enhance the greater global sustainability efforts and decrease the environmental burden for the mutual electronic and digital wastes.

Reference

Owusu, A., 2024, February. Assessing the Effects of E-Waste on the Environment and How to Mitigate It Using Information Technologies: A Case of Agbogbloshie Scrapyard. In International Congress on Information and Communication Technology (pp. 295-307). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.

Activity 5.8: Servers vs. Standard Computers

Key Differences and Cooling Needs

Servers and standard computers function in different ways within the computing environments, mainly in data-intensive settings such as the ones described in Ghana's growing tech sector. The server exists to process, store, and dispense information to numerous people at one time. It maximizes uptime, security, and reliability (Tian et al. 2022). Standard computers are built for the user, where the thrust will always remain on user experience and processing speed. Other fundamental differences lie in hardware. Servers generally have more powerful processors, much larger storage capacities, and perhaps more efficient storage systems to handle heavier workloads. Also, the server needs special cooling systems since it constantly operates. While the servers generate a higher amount of heat, they keep working with minimum downtime as compared to other computers. This really matters for data centers, since excessive heat may cause the system to stall or not run at its maximum efficiency (Mor et al. 2021). For instance, Google data centers use complex cooling systems to cool servers amounting to their hundreds in keeping them on for longer durations. With digital infrastructure expanding in the people's republic of Ghana, the system needs to know about the peculiar cooling and running requirements of its servers to continue providing qualitative services and a long life (Hariyani, et al. 2024). Proper cooling solutions will be required with the fast growth of data generation and use of technology in the near future. Again, an example of this rapid growth could be seen with PCs, which grew from 33 million in 1985 to around 2 billion in 2016.

Reference

Hariyani, D., Hariyani, P., Mishra, S. and Sharma, M.K., 2024. Leveraging digital technologies for advancing circular economy practices and enhancing life cycle analysis: A systematic literature review. Waste Management Bulletin.

Mor, R.S., Sangwan, K.S., Singh, S., Singh, A. and Kharub, M., 2021. E-waste management for environmental sustainability: an exploratory study. Procedia CIRP, 98, pp.193-198.

Tian, T., Liu, G., Yasemi, H. and Liu, Y., 2022. Managing e-waste from a closed-loop lifecycle perspective: China’s challenges and fund policy redesign. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(31), pp.47713-47724.

Activity 5.9: Energy Consumption of Computers

Figure 5: Energy consumption of computer

(Source: https://www.iottechexpo.com)

Boot Time and Power Estimates

The energy consumption of computers is one of the significant factors that are needed to understand the environmental impact of computers, especially in the light of increasingly changing technology. This is highly influenced by boot time, which bears the weight of fast and efficient starting times of modern systems (Shams et al. 2023). The prime example of this scenario is traditional PCs, which take much more time to fully boot than a few minutes, much more energy being consumed during this period than newer devices with fast booting technologies. These include drives like the solid-state drive technology that typically takes seconds to have systems operational but use considerably fewer energies. Power usage also varies significantly with the configuration and usage patterns of the device. Standard desktop computers run in a power range from 200 to 600 watts while active and between 50 to 100 watts for laptops. This variability, therefore, makes component selection for energy-efficient devices of high importance and, simultaneously also an opportunity to increase overall power reduction through intelligent features in power management. In a country like Ghana, where electricity may not readily be available, energy-efficient use is highly important. In this regard, users can minimize their carbon footprint while achieving reliable performance through increasing energy efficiency on technologies and practices. This helps support individual sustainability practices while ensuring broader environmental activities in technology and energy consumption.

Reference

Shams, H., Molla, A.H., Ab Rahman, M.N., Hishamuddin, H., Harun, Z. and Kumar, N.M., 2023. Exploring Industry-Specific Research Themes on E-Waste: A Literature Review. Sustainability, 15(16), p.12244.

Activity 5.10: Environmental Impact of Paper Reduction

Evaluation of Digital Communication Benefits

The environmental implication of paper cutback in digital communication runs deep, resulting in several ecological advantages. The shift from using traditional means of paper to digital platforms reduces the rate of deforestation to a great extent because fewer trees are required for making paper. The movement conserves natural habitats and biodiversity, hence creating a much healthier ecosystem. Additionally, it promotes saving because the carbon footprint of papermaking, printing, and transportation are seen as energy-intensive efforts (Ansari et al. 2022). Therefore, the use of e-mails, instant messaging, and cloud storage minimizes relying on physical documents. This minimizes waste, thus reducing some of the pollution associated with paper disposal. In addition, digital communication fosters cooperation and efficiency because it allows for information sharing and access in a place at any given time in a more streamlined workflow. To further still areas such as Ghana, digital solutions open up avenues to efficiency in communication and extension of learning. Paper usage reduction meets the needs of the world through letting all people consider something greener. Altogether, the benefits of electronic communication are not confined to a company but carry on and lead on to the success of the overall atmosphere and aid in creating a healthier, greener future (Goyal and Goyal 2022). We have to adopt these practices to reduce our footprints in the environment and for sustainable development.

Reference

Goyal, N. and Goyal, D., 2022. Exploring E-waste Management: Strategies and Implications. In Handbook of Solid Waste Management: Sustainability through Circular Economy (pp. 1559-1572). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.

Activity 5.11: The Global E-Waste Monitor

Figure 6: Global e-waste monitor

(Source: https://www.itu.int)

Discussion on E-Waste Statistics

The Global E-Waste Monitor presents crucial information to understand current days' e-waste-related issues globally. Modern technology has resulted in e-waste, which means an impressive quantity with it. In 2019, 53.6 million metric tonnes of 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste material was produced. Most of the e-waste is electronic waste, including discarded cell phones, computers, and appliances, containing lead, mercury, and cadmium. If appropriate methods are not followed, serious environmental pollution and health hazards may arise, especially in less developed countries with ineffective regulations. For instance, e-waste usually lands in places such as Agbobloshie in Ghana and leads to the high level of contamination and other severe health issues concerning local communities. The monitor demands better recycling processes that recover rather than losing valuable materials while at the same time reducing the dangerous impacts. It also calls the whole world to further effort through cooperation in strengthening recycling infrastructure, encouraging sustainable design, and educating consumers on how to use products properly (Jaunich, 2020). That would be in the effort of how best to address the cited challenges together, which will help stakeholders come together toward a more holistic and circular economy where waste from e-waste cannot be created to the fullest extent; hence, resources are reused instead of being considered as waste. 

Reference

Jaunich, M.K., DeCarolis, J., Handfield, R., Kemahlioglu-Ziya, E., Ranjithan, S.R. and Moheb-Alizadeh, H., 2020. Life-cycle modeling framework for electronic waste recovery and recycling processes. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 161, p.104841.

Activity 5.12: UK E-Waste Recycling Practices

Video Insights and Discussion

UK firms skimp on recycling outdated electronics," one finds an alarming outlook where a large number of UK firms do not practice the right ethics in the recycling process of electronic waste, e-waste. This directly impacts the environment as the harmful contents such as lead, mercury, and cadmium present in it start leaking into the soil and water, making them polluted and affecting the environment as well as human health (Anam et al. 2022). Also, the culture of not recycling the e-waste causes a threat globally where the count of e-waste rises step by step in the cycle of technological upgradation. The non-service of recycling protocols in the UK brings not just the degradation of the environment but opens up the bigger corporate responsibility. Companies that shy away from proper recycling practices to cheaper illegal dumping only risk the environment but remove the face of a UK nation known to be committed to sustainable practices. Governments and corporations have to recognize their moral obligation in the responsible recycling of e-waste. This will include strengthening enforcement provisions in currently enacted legislation on e-waste management, as well as greater accountability in what corporations do and how they conduct business to prevent illegal loopholes from being exploited for financial gain over environmental responsibility.

Reference

Anam, M.Z., Siraj, M.T. and Payel, S.B., 2022. Analyzing Drivers of E-waste Management to Achieve Sustainability: Implications for a Developing Country. In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Industrial and Mechanical Engineering and Operations Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 26 (Vol. 27).

Activity 5.13: Ethical Perspectives on E-Waste Dumping

Figure 7: e-waste disposal

(Source: https://green.org/wp-content)

Class Discussion and Resource Sharing

Dumping of e-waste in economically poorer countries raises significant ethical questions, particularly because this obsolete equipment is sent over there in ways that pay no heed to a proper recycling system within such regions. Such a practice has led to hazardous electronic waste being released into the environment, posing serious threats to environmental health (Blundell, 2020). Ghana, for instance, has become synonymous with being yet another West African country that nations which are relatively better off use as a dumping ground for e-waste. These places, which are mostly outside the regulation scope, apply informal recycling where open-air burning and acid baths are applied to get useful materials from broken electronic devices. This hazardous method exposes workers, most of whom are children, to toxic fumes and chemicals, resulting in chronic health problems as well as environmental contamination by chemicals.

From the moral perspective, this is a serious violation of global justice. E-waste and the technologies that generate it cannot be left at the lapdoors of poorer countries, where it is much more costly to mitigate its impact at the hands of richer nations. In this scenario, such grave disparities can only point to a form of environmental colonialism where the grimmest effects of overconsumption of any advanced country are indiscriminately unloaded on vulnerable populations. Other economic drivers of this practice, like a demand for cheap second-hand electronics and materials in poor countries, drive a cycle of environmental degradation (Mensah et al. 2024). A truly ethical approach would involve more than just more stringent international regulations but the growth of local infrastructures about recycling that put human well-being foremost and protect the environment.

Reference

Mensah, S.L., Okyere, S.A., Frimpong, L.K., Abunyewah, M. and Gbedemah, S.F., 2024. Making the digital economy circular: End-of-life treatment of digital products and their implications for sustainable management of e-waste in African cities. In The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainable Digitalization for Business, Industry, and Society (pp. 329-348). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Blundell, B.G., 2020. Ethics in Computing, Science, and Engineering: A Student's Guide to Doing Things Right. Springer.

Activity 5.14: Sustainability of Cloud Computing

Research Insights

The existence of cloud computing, as conceptualized with the current technologies, increasingly faces threats from data centers-the heart of the cloud-as they consume copious amounts of energy. Cloud computing has been able to provide efficient data storage and retrieval, whereby everything-from personal device backups to large-scale businesses-can be done. However, in this race, the proliferation of cloud service facilities has led to a burst in the number of server farms, which consume so much electricity to operate and maintain. More so, these data centers are continuously cooled. This elevates energy consumption, hence translating into a huge footprint on the environment. Although cloud computing has some traits that are believed to save energy, especially where consolidated resources and efficient operational performance are concerned, its negative environmental impact still occurs due to the poor utilization of computers and dependence on non-renewable sources of power. Sustainable cloud computing requires cleaner and renewable energy sources to power the data centers, as well as efficient use of server farms by means of sophisticated cooling technologies and software that maximizes server utilization percentages. The tendency for demand in rapid data access often results in servers not being used to capacity, which hurts their energy efficiency (Mangmeechai, A., 2022). The problem starts with the need to change user expectations in terms of culture, as well as a technological drive toward data center operation optimization with regard to carbon footprint.

Reference

Mangmeechai, A., 2022. The life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and life-cycle costs of e-waste management in Thailand. Sustainable Environment Research, 32(1), p.16.

Activity 5.15: Materials Usage in Computer Manufacturing

Figure 8: Computer materials

(Source: https://d12oja0ew7x0i8.cloudfront.net)

Historical Comparisons

In 2003, it was estimated that the production of a desktop computer with a 17'' monitor required 240 kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg of chemicals, and 1,500 kg of water. Great steps have been taken since then to reduce the energy and material demands of manufacturing modern desktop and laptop computers. The smaller, more energy-efficient component developed is another example, as well as the increased use of recycled materials during the production process. Innovations, such as SSDs and energy-efficient processors, have also helped to reduce energy consumption by computers over their lifetimes (Han, et al. 2023). Though personal computers can now take fewer resources to make and use, the collective environmental footprint of IT remains substantially growing with an ever-increasing number of devices churned out and discarded. Mobile computing in the form of tablets and smartphones tends to induce rapid turn-over of electronic devices, hence worsening the e-waste scenario. Manufacturers are challenged to find a balance between what consumers demand in terms of powerful, feature-rich devices and efforts to minimize the environmental footprint of production (Srinivas et al. 2020). Although energy-efficient technologies exist, these are hindered by cost concerns and competitive pressures in the market towards continuous cycles of innovation.

Reference

Han, Y., Shevchenko, T., Yannou, B., Ranjbari, M., Shams Esfandabadi, Z., Saidani, M., Bouillass, G., Bliumska-Danko, K. and Li, G., 2023. Exploring how digital technologies enable a circular economy of products. Sustainability, 15(3), p.2067.

Srinivas, S., Ganesh, H., Singh, K., Sagar, J. and Anitha, H., 2020. Survey on Electronic Devices and its Impact on Environment during Each Phase of Their Life Cycle. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Engineering Research, 8(6).

Activity 5.16: Design Improvements for Sustainability

Future Directions for Digital Product Design

This has led to exponential growth in e-waste, as many electronic products boast very short operational lifespans. Modern design trends add new ideas and cost-efficiency at the expense of longevity and recyclability. Planned obsolescence, the name given to products with a short useful life because they break down after some time, is the most viable reason for the crisis of e-wastes. It called for new design approaches to be consciously designed for disassembly and easier reuse so that recycling at the end of the product's life will be easier. Digital products will have to be lengthened in their lifetimes (Yousufi 2023). Then, there will be a great need for product manufacturers to embrace principles of designing for durability, modularity, and repairability. Modular designs could facilitate the consumer in changing or upgrading specific parts of the device without taking the whole product down the pipeline of the disposition stream. It also reduces wastes and empowers consumers to extend the maintenance periods of their devices. In addition, such designs enhance recycling since products can now easily be broken down into components for effective recovery of valuable materials and safe handling of hazardous substances. In the wake of piling e-waste, Slade belongs to one of the critics of existing design practices who proclaim that in simple mathematics, e-waste would sometime soon make way for a more sustainable product lifecycle. Steps toward alleviating the impact of e-waste on the environment and humankind can be taken in manufacturing by integrating planned reuse and disassembly (Udage Kankanamge et al. 2024). Doubtlessly, such a transition towards more sustainable digital products will be driven through legislative inflow across international borders, awareness among the consumers, and market demand.

Negative impact of technologies on the environment

Technologies give a remarkable negative impact in favour of natural environment, principally through exploitation, energy utilization and waste disposal. Given the fact that electronics include a large number of metal and rare earth elements, their manufacturing is associated with habitat destruction and reduced species diversity. Furthermore, manufacturing operations often require significant energy which increases carbon output and thereby worsens climate change. Incorrect disposal and recycling methods increase the effects on the environment when equipment is disused, decommissioned or retired. E-waste contains poisonous chemicals including lead, mercury and cadmium; some of these may leach into the environmental and affect soil and water systems, and as a result endanger health of communities. Many developing countries act as a dumping ground for e-waste; a process, which involves such practices as open burning, releases toxic fumes that aggravate the environmentally frail conditions. Such downsides of technology consumption and disposal call for an urgent need for incorporating sustainable use, production, and management in technologies as a solution to those impacts.

Impact of Electricity Consumption of Bitcoin

Bitcoin mining is highly energy-intensive because of the consensus reaching algorithm that is called proof of work. This technique makes the miners solve complex mathematical issues, something that needs a lot of computational strength. Projections suggest that Bitcoin mining absorbs more energy every year than some countries do. The increase in energy usage brings environmental challenges whenever electricity is generated from sources of fossil fuels resulting in increased emission of carbon. Mine pools and individuals are now questioning the neutrality of the Bitcoin network through its energy consumption as it gains wider acceptance thus leading to new solutions that could be fiscally and securely less costly across the consensus that allows it.

E-Waste in New Zealand

Electronic waste is a growing problem in New Zealand with more and more disused electronic equipment being thrown around the environment. In addition, many users update frequently their gadgets due to the advancement of technology meaning that e-waste is on the rise. New Zealand has no current national recycling strategy and therefore many electronic items end up in landfills where toxic compounds can seep into the environment. Governmental organizations and institutions are emerging today to address this issue by demanding proper recycling process and disposal. To address customer awareness, public awareness campaigns seek to inform the customers on the need for the proper disposal of their e-waste and other proper e-waste disposal procedures are proclaimed to support the model of the circular economy whereby as many resources as possible are retrieved as is possible and as little harm as possible is brought to the environment.

Tracking E-Waste

Monitoring e-waste is crucial so that its disposal has an influence on the environment can be controlled. There are efforts on a number of programmes and a technology to track e-waste from manufacturing to disposal. Prospective parties will thus use electronic tracking systems and databases in analyzing the movement of electronic devices in a bid to establish where such devices are being disposed incorrectly or in unlawful dumping. This tracking aids in determining the lifecycle of goods, directing laws and legislation formulations that seek to change the recycling status. Further, actions are taken with respect to governments, the manufacturers and the recycling organizations to enhance accountability of e-waste management. Proper monitoring can enhance the high recovery of valuable materials, and also reduce the environmental impacts related to technology waste reasonable.

Reference

Goyal, S. and Gupta, S., 2024. A Comprehensive Review of Current Techniques, Issues, and Technological Advancements in Sustainable E-Waste Management. e-Prime-Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy, p.100702.

Udage Kankanamge, A.K.S., Erdiaw-Kwasie, M.O. and Abunyewah, M., 2024. Towards a Taxonomy of E-Waste Urban Mining Technology Design and Adoption: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability, 16(15), p.6389.

Yousufi, J., 2023. T he Role of Digital Technologies for Enabling Circular Economy in E-waste Management-Multi-Level Analysis.

Conclusion

This will involve multi-pronged approaches to the effective functioning of ethical responsibility, sustainable design practices, and enhancing recycling efforts. The lifecycle of digital technologies from birth to end-of-life will pose a challenge in regions disproportionately affected by improper e-waste management. International cooperation, better recycling infrastructures, and enhanced awareness can reduce the environmental and health impacts of digital technologies. Then, an important need is an approach to more sustainable, circular solutions that contribute to reducing the e-waste burden for the environment and for society.

Reference list

Journals

• Van der Merwe, A. and Brugger, F., 2021. Case study: The digital device life cycle: From mining to e-waste.
• Withanage, S.V. and Habib, K., 2021. Life cycle assessment and material flow analysis: two under-utilized tools for informing E-waste management. Sustainability, 13(14), p.7939.
• Andersen, T. and Halse, L.L., 2023. Product Lifecycle Information Flow in E-waste Handling: a Means to Increase Circularity?. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3(4), pp.1941-1962.
• He, P., Feng, H., Chhipi‐Shrestha, G., Hewage, K. and Sadiq, R., 2022. Life Cycle Assessment of e‐Waste–Waste Cellphone Recycling. Electronic Waste: Recycling and Reprocessing for a Sustainable Future, pp.231-253.
• Shaikh, S., Thomas, K. and Zuhair, S., 2020. An exploratory study of e-waste creation and disposal: Upstream considerations. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 155, p.104662.
• He, Y., Kiehbadroudinezhad, M., Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, H., Gupta, V.K., Peng, W., Lam, S.S., Tabatabaei, M. and Aghbashlo, M., 2023. Driving sustainable circular economy in electronics: A comprehensive review on environmental life cycle assessment of e-waste recycling. Environmental Pollution, p.123081.
• Яфень, Х. and Шевченко, Т., 2023. Exploring digital technologies and smart systems used in e-waste management in China: seminal research themes. Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University, (3 (95)), pp.3-9.
• Hariyani, D., Hariyani, P., Mishra, S. and Sharma, M.K., 2024. Leveraging digital technologies for advancing circular economy practices and enhancing life cycle analysis: A systematic literature review. Waste Management Bulletin.
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Author Bio

Casey Bennett   7 years | PhD

My name is Casey Bennett and I have obtained my graduation, post-graduation and PhD from London Business School. I have been giving education to students for the last 7 years in the United Kingdom. I can help you deal with complex dissertation topics, assignments, and essays and finish them fast.