WASTE CRIME – WASTE RISKS

The in
ANSU
Artisan recycling is based on the profit from materials of positive
market value. These include plastics; precious metals, such as gold,
silver, platinum, palladium, and copper; and strategic metals, such
as rare earth metals and other non-ferrous metals. For example,
25 tonnes of mobile phones can yield 10 kg of gold. But electronic
goods also contain a wide variety of hazardous substances.
Printed circuit boards contain arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and
bromides. Old cathode ray tube televisions (CRT) contain lead and
phosphorus pentachloride; flat-screen televisions (LCDs) have
mercury; fridges and other cooling equipment have quantities
of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Valuable materials recovered
from the e-waste commodities are sold on to the manufacturing
sector through a new brokers’ network (UNODC 2013).
Even though the informal e-waste recycling system is deeply
embedded in some provinces in China, it is possible to phase it
Commonly practiced crude recycling methods
of informal recyclers in Asia (Chi et al. 2011)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Physical dismantling, using hammers, chisels, screwdrivers,
and bare hands, to separate different materials
Removing components from printed circuit boards by
heating over coal-fired grills
Stripping of metals in open-pit acid baths to recover
gold and other metals
Chipping and melting plastics without proper ventilation
Burning cables to recover copper, and burning unwanted
materials in open air
Disposing of unsalvageable materials in fields and
along riverbanks
Refilling toner cartridges
GHAI
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