Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 07, 2014 News
Guyana’s economy is continuously growing and with plans forwarded by the current Administration, technological advancement is deemed a huge part of the country’s growth.
Enabling the scientific and technological competence of the economy has been a major concern for development stakeholders. But just as technology is continuously changing, or rather, upgrading, the Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) has expressed concern over what it says is the emergence of e-waste problems within Guyana.
E-waste refers to Electronic waste. According to the online free dictionary, e-waste is discarded electrical or electronic devices. The term usually describes electronic material that cannot be reused or no longer serves its intended purpose. They are discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment electronic devices, mobile phones, television sets, and refrigerators. Some other types of the waste include secondary scrap; copper, steel, plastic, etc.
Dismantling and disposing of electronic waste is a massive task, especially in third world countries. The disposal of such waste is dangerous for the environment and most importantly people; particularly those who are directly involved in the disposal and dismantling process.
E-waste leads to a number of environmental impacts. Liquid and waste gases during the disposal process end up in bodies of water, groundwater, soil, and air and therefore affect crops, land and animals; domesticated and wild. Lead, barium, copper, nickel and other heavy metals are just some of the elements that can leach into the ground water and affect food supplies.
According to analysts, informal processing of electronic waste in developing countries causes serious health and pollution problems, although these countries are more most likely to reuse and repair electronics. While the hazard posed by e-waste is known, the extent of this danger is hardly highlighted. Additionally, the mechanisms and facilities to address such issues are scarce in small economies.
In Guyana, the issue of e-waste is not one on the front burner, but according to the local environmental group, ECHO, the matter is growing countrywide and there is an insistence that an earnest approach to the matter is required.
Head of ECHO Royston King told the media that much of Guyana’s electronic waste is dumped in different areas of our country.
“Derelict computers and allied parts, batteries from cell phones, wires and a host of other electronic components and devices are just discarded at dumpsites.”
Such waste, he urged, contains hazardous chemicals known to be potentially dangerous to humans and this contributes to the process of global warming and climate change.
“Further, this kind of waste has far-reaching effects on the ecology and consequently local communities.”
In due time, the organization will be engaging in talks to address the growing matter of e-waste. He said “ECHO is organizing a conference with the relevant stakeholders to address this very serious problem and to work out practicable solutions to deal with this issue.” It is also hoped that the authorities would put appropriate measures in place to treat the problem.
ECHO had previously asked businesses and corporations to pay attention to the way they dispose of their garbage, particularly old electronic components. It was stated that notwithstanding the fact that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce’s code of ethics was launched some two years ago, many corporations are still practicing improper dumping of waste in several sections of the country.
The environmental body had stated that many of the corporations do not have proper storage facilities on their premises and cannot account for the way their waste is disposed of in the wider environment.
ECHO had stated that “derelict computers, allied equipment and other components of electronic gadgets are stored in the back of business places gathering dust and causing a public health nuisance to workers, or are just thrown out with the regular waste. Either way it is becoming a very serious problem in this country.”
It was also noted that many offices display computers in public work spaces, that are either defective or not in working order.
“These things have implications for the health of workers and the public, and the way energy is utilised by companies and organisations in delivering goods and services to consumers. Thrown out derelict computers and printers and batteries are stripped by litter-pickers for various parts. This by itself is a dangerous practice. Batteries with toxic chemicals are mostly likely polluting the environment.”
There is also the situation where used computers are donated to poor companies and organizations. Entities use this approach to get rid of the burden of recycling or disposing of such e-waste in an environmentally-friendly manner. However, these computers will work for a few more years and the already poor business/organizations will now inherit the burden of disposing the outdated items.
ECHO stated that although this problem is now emerging almost unnoticed by community leaders, it should serve as a springboard to begin discussions on it, to ensure checks and balances on the importation and donation of such equipment. The organization believes that stringent guidelines need to be put in place to enforce existing ones on the disposal of such electronic waste in the wider environment.
(Zena Henry)
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