Uncategorized Archives – Page 30 of 37

July 2, 2015

Digital India needs ways to manage its Digital Waste

Soft Talent to Power Progress: Finally it would dawn on India as a state policy to push digitization of India. It is a long overdue effort considering that for many years India and its soft talent has been reckoned as global power house. Yet the country itself could never leverage its own talent to efficiently manage its affairs.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

Since much of the reason for India excelling in digital domain was largely due to private individual and corporate efforts. Now with the same becoming state sponsored effort this will indeed result in all encompassing transformation of the entire nation to the benefit of its citizen.

Ambitious Project: The 10, 00,000 Million Rupees Digital India Project ambitiously aims at

establishing broadband connectivity in 250,000 villages of India,
promote e-governance,
universal phone connectivity and
make India global leader of IT in services like health, education and banking
transform India into a connected knowledge economy

Digital India is much needed, so is Digital Waste Redressal

The enormity of the project, the ambitious coverage and the wide and deep ramifications it would have through all its nine pillars and especially electronics Manufacturing, Universal Access to devices for ICT would include creation of huge digital infrastructure.

There will be Wi-Fi at schools, universities and public wi-fi hotspots. The Post Offices to be turned into Multi-Service Centres with all gadgetry installed. Manufacturing of FABS, Fab-less design, Set top boxes, VSATs, Mobiles, Consumer & Medical Electronics, Smart Energy meters, Smart cards, micro-ATMs. The aim of the project is to deliver government services to the citizens directly. The government also wants to ensure smart phones in the hand of every citizen by 2019.

The Digital Waste Challenge: The Digital India Project document does inform about the challenges on the implementation of such a large project in terms of unprecedented scale; Human & Financial resource mobilization apart from the intra government coordination. However, it misses out on the fallout of the electronic mess that would be created in the years to come.

E Waste from Electronic Obsolescence: It is a well known fact the obsolescence of Electronics is the quickest. It is not difficult to understand what sort of E Waste would be generated from projects of such proportions and sweeping geographical coverage.

Though there has been a passing reference on the linking of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan but that too to create awareness and support for the ongoing governmental activities for participation and disposal of municipal waste.

We certainly hope the authorities would take into account the e waste challenge that fall out of digitalizing India. It needs to be highlighted and understood before the problem just stomp us in the face with our efforts falling short. That would be one of the grave failures of such a glorious project. A comprehensive view is much warranted for Digitizing India.

Note: This post was originally published in July 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

June 26, 2015

Who plays with your old e-toys?

WHO had raised several concerns regarding children health and injuries through e-waste. A recent study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), revealed that over 35,000 to 45,000 child labourers aged between 10–14 works around the e-waste areas, and faces several injuries and deaths while dismantling the e-waste. There is a strong force from the chamber for effective legislation in preventing the poor children from such working areas. We are exhibiting a techno-aligned life and in doing so we are consciously or unconsciously impacting various other lives with an add-on evil for nature.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

The hideous profile of India

Delhi, itself produces roughly around 50,000 metric tons of e-waste. With a GDP growth of 7.5 percent, and a population of 125cr, India ranks high in terms of e-waste generation.
The ASSOCHAM report highlights that as many as 8,500 mobile phones, 5,500 TVs and 3,000 personal computers are dismantled in the capital city, Delhi every day for reuse of their component parts and materials.
The figure is booming with the advent of technology and new launches. Delhi has emerged as the main hub of e-waste recycling in the country with the e-waste from Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities reaching in there.

Their Health, Our Concern

The mounds of junk or e-waste has created as a great source for poor children to satiate their playful self by these e-gadgets which is a waste for riches but the only joyous element for them. The e-waste has certain toxic elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium which harms the health as well as injures the children. The dumping zone or the trash is accumulated in an open ground where they reach with their families to become prey of these fancy waste products. The exposure to these harmful by-products can lead to nausea, irritability, vomiting and several other ailments to a healthy person, then till what extent it can affect children?

Where are we heading?

The implementation of strong legislation for proper recycling and organized dumping is quite essential at this point of time. It apparently needs awareness and an eye-opener for those who dispose their old goods unethically. Children have a right to education, smile, play, joy, everything. They need to be protected from this misfortune. In this battle, one of the biggest wildcards can only be human behavior. If people are not convinced to participate in this race, even the best designed system will collapse. Therefore, we as humans need to practice our duties and establish a rigid structure of organized discarding.

Note: This post was originally published in June 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

June 19, 2015

Exterminate E-Waste before it Exterminates Us

Simple, innocent and very useful are the working electronics and electronics in our lives. Past their useful lives these are horrendous monsters. Discarded at home and work place these start disintegrating and become ready source of harmful and hazardous substances. Fatal to our health and extremely poisonous to our environment these need to be disposed from our lives and surroundings.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

E Waste Toxic that affects health and environment when dumped

E-Wastes contain Lead, Mercury, Cadmium and flame retardants that cause multiple toxic Problems. If not properly handled these leach into our natural water reservoirs and rivers. Untreated water finds a way back into our farms, forests and foods. Some of these are very fatal and once released into the environment contaminate all our surroundings with far reaching harmful for generations to come

E — Waste & their Toxic Compounds
For easy reference, listed under are the commonly found E — Waste in our lives and the toxic elements / compounds or the product they effuse at the end of their life cycle:

E — Waste Form

Element / Compound

(in alphabetical order)

Harmful Effects

Medical equipment, Fire detectors, active sensing element in smoke detectors

Americium

Once in the body, americium-241 tends to concentrate in the bone, liver, and muscle. It can stay in the body for decades and continue to expose the surrounding tissues to radiation, and increase your risk of developing cancer. Released in the environment contaminates air, soil and waters.

LED (Light Emitting Diodes)

Arsenic (Gallium Arsenide)

Extreme exposure to Arsenic can lead to Skin diseases, reduced nerve conduction and Lung Cancer.CRT, Spark Plugs, Fluorescent Lamps

Barium

Can lead to Brain Swelling, Muscle atrophy, Damage to heart, liver & spleen,Power Supply Boxes & X Ray Lenses

Beryllium

Inhalation of beryllium dust, fumes or mist can cause, Lung Cancer & Berillycosis.Skin exposed to beryllium can lead to poor wound healing and wart-like bumps.Fire retardants for Plastics, Printed Circuit Boards and CasingsBrominated Fire Retardants — Tetrabromo-Bisphenol-A, Polybrominated Biphenyls, Polybrominated Diphenyl EthersBurning these materials release dioxins & other toxins which lead to Severe Hormonal DisorderRechargeable NiCd-batteries, Fluorescent layer (CRT screens), Printer inks and toners, Photocopying-machines (printer drums)

Cadmium

Cadmium is taken into our bodies through Respiration & Food. It has strong tendency to accumulate in our bodies and environment. It leads to severe damage of Kidneys & Lungs. Causes flu like symptoms, weakness, fever, headaches, muscular pain, Pulmonary Emphysema & Bone Disease.Cooling Units, Insulation Foams

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)

When released into the atmosphere, they accumulate in the stratosphere and have a deleterious effect on the ozone layer. This results in increased incidence of Skin Cancer in Humans and in Genetic Damage in many organisms.Data Tapes, Floppy Disks

Chromium

Cellular changes & DNA damage. Harmful to eyes, skin & mucous membraneLead-acid batteries, Electronic Components, Cable Sheathing, CRT Glass & Solders

Lead

Appetite loss, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Fatigue, Sleeplessness, Irritability and headache. Kidney Damage, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Convulsions, Coma or even Death. Amongst young children it can damage nervous connections and cause blood and brain disorders.Batteries, some switches and thermostats, and fluorescent lamps

Mercury

Bio-accumulates causing brain and liver damage if ingested or inhaledDielectric fluids for capacitors and transformers, Heat transfer fluids and as additives in adhesives and plastics.

Poly Chlorinated Bi Phenyls

Serious non-cancer health effects in animals, including effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, endocrine system and other health effects. PCBs are persistent contaminants in the environment.Cable insulation

Poly Vinyl Chloride

When burnt produces large quantities of hydrogen chloride gas, which combines with water to form hydrochloric acid and is dangerous because when inhaled, leads to respiratory problems.Older photocopying-machines (photo drums)

Selenium

Selenosis causing hair loss, nail brittleness, and neurological abnormalities (such as numbness and other odd sensations in the extremities).Interior of CRT screens, mixed with rare earth metals. Dry Cell Batteries

Zinc Sulphide

Exposure to large amounts of zinc can be harmful. It can cause stomach cramps, anemia, and changes in cholesterol levels.

ZeroWaste as an authorized E Waste Management Company collects the discarded electronic & electrical equipments through its Smart Exchange™ & Collection Stores. You may contact us to get your e waste picked and receive instant cash payment.

info@getinstacash.in | www.getinstacash.in

Note: This post was originally published in June 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.