Project WIN '05 - Recycle and Reuse our E-Waste/Project WIN '08 - A Green Bridge Across the Digital Divide
the problem:
The problem my project is trying to solve is that of e-waste, or electronic waste. E-waste consists of all consumer electronics, such as computers, cell phones, rechargeable batteries etc. This is becoming a major issue because e-waste contains hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium. Over 70% of the heavy metals in our waste stream comes from e-waste.
The main concern about e-waste is not that it contains these chemicals; most of these materials are necessary for the technology to function properly. The problem is that e-waste is being improperly disposed of dumped into landfills, burned, or exported. This allows these chemicals to enter and damage the environment and our food and water supplies. Therefore, these chemicals can enter the human body and damage our own bodily systems.
Not enough people are aware of the problem; in my team's hometown of Westerly, RI, only 12.6% of the population knew what e-waste was, let alone how to properly dispose of it. In addition, there was no readily-accessible method to recycle or reuse e-waste. Finally, no legislation was in place to ensure the proper disposal of e-waste.
Another issue that arose in our research was the exportation of e-waste. Up to 85% of the e-waste that was supposedly recycled was exported overseas and dumped. Also, 75% of computers sent to developing countries for 'aid' were in reality obsolete junk. This junk meets the same fate as other exported waste; it gets dumped or burned, damaging the environment.
vital stats:
people impacted:
1,000,000people involved:
50why it's important:
My project was initiated to make an impact in the community by creating a sustainable system to process e-waste. It addresses the problem by reusing old computers, recycling e-waste and passing legislation to ensure proper disposal.
The project also creates a responsible method for donating computers overseas in Project WIN '08 - A Green Bridge Across the Digital Divide. With this program, companies in the states 'adopt' schools or communities in developing countries. The two form a partnership to send computers to these needy areas without impacting the environment.
the plan of action:
To begin our project, my team and I researched the situation. With this data, we created flyers and presentations to raise awareness about the problem. We have made presentations to numerous audiences, as well as worked to create a national PSA. Our project has received international media coverage, reaching over a million people.
The project has also refurbished computers to distribute back to the community. Refurbishing prevents e-waste from entering the environment, and is seven times as efficient as recycling due to the energy and resources it saves. The project has refurbished over 300 computers for the local community.
The team established a permanent receptacle for the collection of e-waste at the town's transfer station. This provides an efficient and accessible location for the recycling of e-waste at no cost to the town or its residents. This receptacle has collected approximately five thousand pounds of e-waste per month since its establishment, totaling over three hundred thousand pounds of e-waste. The team also held a recycling drive which recycled over twenty-one thousand pounds of e-waste.
The team drafted an ordinance for the Town of Westerly banning the dumping of e-waste. This was passed unanimously by the town council in Fall 2005. The project lobbied for the passing of a statewide e-waste bill in 2005 and 2006, and created a petition to support the bill. After multiple testimonials in front of the Senate and House of Representatives, a statewide bill was passed banning the dumping of e-waste in July 2006.
The Bridging Divides Program has been able to impact the global community. We have established six media centers in Sri Lanka, Mexico, Cameroon, and Kenya. Through this project, these communities now have access to computers and information technology. The project has also provided a media center to the Compass School, a new charter school in Kingston, RI without technology funding.
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