A research project about e-waste, its issues and how to face it.

1. University, Society and Interdisciplinarity
E-waste
How to face this issue using the
technology itself
Students: Bruno Croci de Oliveira, Fernando Renato Matsunaga Marchiotto, Guilherme Augusto Machado, João Paulo Domingues dos Santos

2. Sustainability
“Meet the need of the present generation without
affecting the ability of future generations to meet
theirs.”, according to the Brundtland Report (1987)

3. E-Waste
E-waste is defined by the European Community (2003)
as an "electrical or electronic equipment that has been
discarded".

4. Obsolescences
Given as the main causes of the e-waste, the
obsolescences are divided in two:
●
Planned Obsolescence;
●
Perceived Obsolescence.

5. Motivation
Though subjects related to environmental
degradation are highly discussed nowadays, e-
waste isn't discussed yet as it should be, if
compared to its power to cause damages.

6. Discards
Millions of Computers
Milhões de PCs
Source: worldbank.org
The growth of the computers' discard between 1991 and
2003.

7. Toxic Substances
Some substances found in electrical and electronic equipment
Mercury Computers and Video Damage to the brain and liver
devices
Cadmium Computers, Video devices Poisoning, problems in bones, kidneys
and laptop batteries and lungs
Arsenic Mobile devices May causes lung cancer and damages
the nervous system
PVC (Polyvinyl Case of computers and Cancer and immune deficiency.
chloride) mobile devices
Source: http://tecnologia.uol.com.br/ultnot/2008/02/26/ult4213u358.jhtm

8. Objectives
Investigate how the technology is facing
environmental problems generated by technological
development.
•Find what factors that generate e-waste.
•Analyze the environmental problems caused by
e-waste.
•Search technologies that deal with
environmental problems generated by the e-
waste.

9. Methodology
Search for data and information in:
●
Scientific articles;
●
Technologic Companies;
●
Non-governmental organizations;
●
Statistical surveys on the subject.
Data processing:
●
Quantitative analysis;
●
Qualitative analysis.

10. Results
Some initiatives that are linked to the technological
environment and allow us to infer that the
technology is able to mitigate the impacts caused by
the e-waste:
• Upgrade;
• Software Adaptation;
• StEP Initiative;
• Electronic equipments recycling.

11. Upgrade
Instead of buying a new computer, you change
some parts of it for a new one. It is, therefore, a
pailliative measure.

12. Software Adaptation
Most software advance as obsolescence, that is,
each version requires more powerful computers.
On the other hand, free software have a greater
concern with less advanced hardware. What makes
it functional in more modest computers.

13. StEP Initiative
"Solving the E-Waste Problem" - Joint effort
between manufacturers of computer equipment and
telecommunications companies. Aims to create
global standards for the recycling of electronic
scrap, increase the life of electronic products and
develop markets for their reuse.

14. Eletronical equipments recycling
Encouraging recycling mechanical, chemical and
energy resources, since about 94% of materials
used in eletronical equipments are recoverable.
As an example of implementation of this measure,
we have a project in the Universidade de São Paulo
called: "Projeto de Cadeia de Transformação de Lixo
Eletrônico".

15. CEDR Operation Scheme
Source: CARVALHO (2009)

16. Final Considerations
We conclude that there are alternatives that
attempt to minimize the situation today, but we did
not find a definitive solution. As the prospects for
the future can be exciting, the commitment to this
issue tends to grow.

17. E-Waste Project
Advisor Teacher
• Ana Maria Klein
Students
• Bruno Croci de Oliveira
• Fernando Renato Matsunaga Marchiotto
• Guilherme Augusto Machado de Almeida
• João Paulo Domingues dos Santos
Contact
•brunocroci@usp.br