E-Waste
Computer Science: OCR A Level, topic 5.2.5
E-Waste
E-waste refers to discarded electronic devices.
Technology is hard to repair
- Manufacturers often make technology which is difficult to repair, and so it is sometimes cheaper to replace a product than repair it. This contributes to e-waste.
Newer models
- Many consumers will replace a working device with a newer model each year.
- This is unnecessary e-waste.
Disposal of e-waste
- E-waste can include toxic chemicals.
- There are strict rules about the disposal of e-waste imposed by the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
- To bypass these rules, many organisations send e-waste to countries with fewer regulations - such as China and India.
Test yourself on E-Waste
What is e-waste?
Which of the following statements about e-waste are true?
How do many companies get around the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment's (WEEE's) strict rules on e-waste disposal?