
E-waste problem in Singapore Essay Sample
This essay sample of the E-waste problem in Singapore. Here we will discuss the What is the main problem with e-waste in Singapore?, What happens to electronic waste in Singapore? Why is Singapore’s e-waste a problem?, Impacts of e-waste on Singapore, Harmful effects of e-waste on Singaporeans, Singapore’s E-waste statistics, NEA E-waste study for Singaporeans, etc.
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Introduction- E-waste problem in Singapore Essay
Singapore is a country that has been very successful in terms of its economic development. Singaporeans enjoy the highest quality of life in Asia and one of the best worldwide, but it comes at a cost. One of these costs is e-waste that includes old computers, televisions, mobile phones, chargers, and other gadgets. This type of E-waste problem poses significant risks to human health and the environment because many components used in them contain toxic substances such as lead or mercury which can cause cancer or brain damage if they are not disposed of properly.
Main Body- E-waste problem in Singapore Essay
E-waste in Singapore statistics
The following e-waste statistics were tallied by the National Environment Agency in Singapore and published in 2015:
3.6 million TV sets disposed of, all non-organic material accounted for over 92% of the total weight; 3.4 million used computers disposed of, all non-organic material accounted for 94% of the total weight. In other words, a lot has been dumped in landfills and incinerated! The recycling rate? Well, it’s only 0.07%. That means 98% is wasted or burned or not recycled at all. No wonder we have an alarmingly high carbon footprint! We may need to rethink our increased use of electronic devices to help preserve resources and reduce pollution.”
In 2014, over 650,000 tonnes of e-waste were generated in Singapore. Out of this total volume, only a little more than 100 thousand tons were recycled or reused (11%). The rest was disposed of to landfills and incinerators.
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Singapore NEA E-waste study
The National Environment Agency (NEA) conducted a study for the first time estimating the amount of e-waste generated in Singapore. For 2013, it found that the total number of items sent to e-waste recycling facilities amounted to 55,900 metric tonnes. Of this amount, computers and monitors made up for 80% or 43,500 metric tonnes. The infographics below present this e-waste study by summarizing two key facts explored in NEA’s report:
The breakdown of devices shows how different types of electronic gadgets were disposed of through various channels both inside and outside Singapore.
In 2009, the NEA studied a total of 27,262 pieces of E-waste in Singapore. The study found that Hong Kong generated 60 % more e-waste than Singapore and in return contributed 14% to international trade flows. The United States generated around 20 times more e-waste than Singapore and was responsible for transporting nearly 40 times as much e-waste outside the country.
Why is Singapore’s e-waste a problem?
This may be more of an environmental issue than anything else. Singapore is lacking natural resources, which means that everything must be imported, including the metals used to make electronics. This creates a large footprint on the environment and requires more fuel to ship materials instead of using locally sourced material like wood or clay.
The distinction between “e-waste” and other things labeled as “waste” becomes murky because electronic components are stuffed into containers with wet plastics that create toxic fumes over time; all this e-wasteful behavior adds up!
More than one million metric tons of e-waste are generated each year in Singapore. Fortunately, more than 10% of this (or more than 100,000 metric tons) is recycled.
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What is the main problem with e-waste in Singapore?
Singapore is a country that has been very successful in terms of its economic development. Singaporeans enjoy the highest quality of life in Asia and one of the best worldwide, but it comes at a cost. One of these costs is e-waste – electronic waste that includes old computers, televisions, mobile phones, chargers, and other gadgets.
This type of waste poses significant risks to human health and the environment because many components used in them contain toxic substances such as lead or mercury which can cause cancer or brain damage if they are not disposed of properly.
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What happens to electronic waste in Singapore?
According to Singapore’s National Environmental Agency, nearly 60 percent of all e-waste is exported. Preliminary studies show that the e-waste sent abroad for recycling does not always benefit the environment.
For example, China has become one of the world’s leading exporters of scrap materials for re-export to developed countries, including scrap paper and used computers. However, many Chinese recycling plants are dirty or dangerous places without adequate safety training or equipment.
A 2011 study published by Fudan University in Shanghai revealed that nearly 70% of hazardous wastes at its monitored 18 recycling sites were made up of items like an electronic waste (e-waste), chemical solvents used in semiconductor production, and batteries; nearly 80% of the material was imported from developed countries.
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Impacts of e-waste on Singaporean
One of the greatest impacts is the disposal and recycling process. These processes require a lot of land, water, and energy resources as well as wastes from various chemical/physical reactions that have to take place before e-waste gets converted into harmless substances. The impact on humans includes skin problems, respiratory illness, or even death due to accidents in toxic waste dumping sites where laborers mine for valuable metals.
Furthermore, children may accidentally touch these materials and develop health problems because they are extremely sensitive to toxins.
Harmful effects of e-waste on Singaporeans
E-waste is a major contributor to toxic waste, inorganic, CO2 emissions, large amounts of landfill space, and has even been the cause of some environmental catastrophes in places where dumping sites have caught fire. E-waste also contains many hazardous materials including lead which can damage brain tissue when it accumulates there. Lead poisoning is irreversible and may ultimately result in death.
Even with beneficial or benign materials such as copper still present within it e-waste causes pollution through scavenging when scrap metal collectors are trying to extract this valuable material from any metal objects they find including e-waste. Even if the recycling process itself does not involve harmful substances (although it often does) there is still subsequent.
Conclusion:
Conclusion paragraph: The problem is very much real and Singaporeans are living in a state of e-waste. Not only does it pose serious health risks but also environmental hazards to the planet as well. We need more awareness on this matter so that we can do our part in curbing the ever-increasing amount of e-waste generated by us every day.
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