Abstract
The purpose for this project was to grasp an understanding on how
knowledgeable the students of specific dormitories are regarding the
topic of electronic waste and the potential consequences on the
environment and human health. In doing so, the outcome was desired
to make students more aware of the issue and to provide them with
information for the opportunity and means to get rid of electronics in an
environmentally safe and healthy way.
It was determined that the best approach was to survey students in
the dormitory area. Overall, it appeared that not many students were
well aware of electronic waste and the potential hazardous
consequences, thus contributing to continual existence of electronics in
landfills, incineration plants, or “collecting dust” in homes.
We then provided knowledge not only to these respondents but
also to the faculty, presented in a matter of flyers and brochures, as that
was the best method of contact, based on our findings.
Introduction
Electronics are becoming a vital part of our everyday lives. The
problem with this growing phenomenon is that when these
electronics become outdated or unusable, owners dispose of them
improperly due to a lack of knowledge regarding the harmful
consequences to both the environment and our nation’s health.1
Methods
• E-waste was researched using JSTOR, Google Scholar, and IUB Library
Resources
• A survey was conducted to analyze the present awareness and actions
of students and dormitory faculty at Indiana University, Bloomington in
the Wright dormitory
• The survey of students was conducted in person outside the
cafeteria and main dormitory quad while the survey of
dormitory faculty was done on a person-to-person basis at
the front desk
• Survey questions included, “Do you know what e-waste is?”, “What do
you do with electronics you wish to get rid of?”, “Do you know if Wright
or IU has a program for e-waste?”, and “What is the best way to
contact you regarding e-waste collection dates?”
• Results were analyzed via Excel to find percentages of responses
Current Dormitory Action: Our Results
Distribution of disposal route 2-5
• 80% - landfills
• Chemicals leach into soil and water after degradation
• 2% - incineration plants
• Chemicals , dioxins, and furans emitted through burning
• Heavy metals concentrated and sent to landfills
• 18% - recycled
• Parts separated and sold or reused
The toxic chemicals released above cause health effects of
developmental abnormalities, endocrine disruption, carcinogenic
effects, and circulatory, respiratory, pulmonary, and nervous system
damage.2,4-7
This phenomenon is also a case of environmental injustice, as the
burden is placed disproportionately on those who live and/or work
close to waste sites or incineration plants, specifically pregnant
women and developing fetuses/children. 2,4,5,7,8
If consumers were more aware of the benefits of recycling these
products could be kept out of landfills, providing a healthier and
cleaner environment, and lessening the environmental injustice.
These chemicals then would not pose as much of a threat.3,6
E-waste is the most rapidly increasing form of solid waste, and
believed to be increasing by 3-5% annually.5,8,9 More could be done
to increase recycling, such as stricter regulations and enforcing
recycling responsibility of producers.6,8,9 The best start is an increase
in recycling opportunity, as offered by the IU Office of Sustainability.
A great number of electronics are accepted and will be recycled in
an appropriate manner, while offering opportunity for reuse.10,11
In partnering with the IU Office of Sustainability, further research
was conducted to enhance their understanding regarding
students’ knowledge and action pertaining to e-waste. Following
this research, it is our desire to bring awareness to the student body
of e-waste, the toxic materials contained, and effects from
improper disposal.
Discussion & Our Proposition
Based on the results, it can be concluded that students’ knowledge
regarding electronic waste is pretty minimal compared to the large scale
effects resulting from improper disposal of electronic waste. Most electronic
waste of students appears to not be recycled properly thus contributing to
the potentially increasing toxin concentration in the environment, and thus in
the human body.
A large issue resulting from this survey appears to be the lack of
knowledge for students in the first place, as seen in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
Without knowledge of the potential impact of improper disposal, toxic effects
will continue to accumulate and harm others, especially those living
nearby.2,4,5,8,9 These environmental and health consequences bring up
ethical issues regarding environmental injustice, the Right-To-Know principle,
and the Precautionary principles.2,3,6,8
Based upon the results, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, not only are
students unaware of what e-waste is, but producers also are not making
consumers aware of the potential consequences regarding improper disposal
of the product, disregarding the Right-To-Know principle. Because many
consumers are unaware, improper disposal poses a greater effect to those
living nearby landfills or incineration plants: an issue of environmental
injustice.2,3,6,8
The best plan of action to reduce e-waste includes:
•Educate consumers on the contained chemicals of products
and their effects if not recycled
•Provide facilities and programs to students and community
members for proper electronic waste disposal, including
opportunity for reuse
Based upon our results, as illustrated in Figure 4, we have been able to
inform students about electronic waste through brochures and flyers
throughout IU’s campus. Therefore, recycling and reducing e-waste now in
hopes for a healthier environment in the future.
References
What’s in our PCs?
Figure 5: This
table
illustrates
the
common
materials
used in
electronics,
what they
are used in,
and their
health
effects 2
Figure 6: A general list of most widely
used and accepted electronics for
electronic waste disposal 12
1. Adarian, Stephanie. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Cleaning Up Electronic Waste (E-Waste),”
http://www.epa.gov/international/toxics/ewaste/index.html (accessed March 6, 2013).
2. Schmidt, Charles. “e-JUNK EXPLOSION” Environmental Health Perspectives 110, no. 4 (April 2002): A188,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3455204(accessed April 1, 2013).
3. Steingraber, Sandra. Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment (Cambridge: Da
Capo Press, 2010), 215-35.
4. Greenpeace International. “Where Does E-Waste End Up”
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem/where-does-e-wasteendup/?accept=08f8a4e2682fda73be2b95de397eef8b (Accessed April 1, 2013).
5. Chen, Aimin, Dietrich, Kim N., Huo, Xia, Ho, Shuk-mei, “Developmental Neurotoxicants in E-waste: An Emerging Health
Concern,” Environmental Health Perspectives 119 (2011): 431-438, accessed March 6, 2013, stable URL:
www.jstor.org/stable/41203250
6. United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Electronics Reuse and Recycling,” accessed April 11, 2013.
http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/smm/wastewise/pubs/wwupda14.pdf
7. Olds, Lousia. “CURB YOUR E-WASTE: WHY THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CONTROL ITS ELECTRONIC WASTE EXPORTS.” Cardozo
Journal of International and Comparative Law. Yeshiva University. 2012. IUB Library Online, Access number:
EDSLEX5C34C508
8. Dahl, Richard. “Who Pays For e-JUNK” Environmental Health Perspectives 110 no. 4 (April 2002): pp. A196-A199,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3455205
9. Congress, United States. "Electronic Waste: investing research and innovation to reuse reduce and recycle." Washington, GPO.
2009. IUB Library Online, Access Number: INUN.8432215
10. IU News Room. “Advisory: IU E-Waste Collection Days this week in Bloomington and South Bend,” last modified May 8, 2012.
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/22275.html
11. IU Office of Sustainability. “Electronic Waste Collection Days,” accessed April 11, 2013.
http://www.indiana.edu/~sustain/programs/e-waste-collection-days/index.php
12. Guelph. “Recycle Your Used and Unwanted Electronics: What’s Accepted” accessed April 12, 2013.
http://guelph.olx.ca/e-waste-recycling-event-get-rid-of-electronic-waste-for-free-iid-451049450
We would like to thank the IU Office of Sustainability for their continued contribution to our efforts and their contribution to Indiana University in spreading awareness and providing students and faculty the opportunity for proper electronic waste disposal.