As a global society, we are just beginning to see the negative impact excessive waste can have on the world around us. From air, to land, to water – electronic waste (e-waste) implicates almost every aspect of the environment. Design concepts like planned obsolescence and economic boom due to technological innovation result in the accumulation of electronic waste. To protect our environment, we must do our part to ensure best practices are maintained when it comes to e-waste and circuit board recycling.

Today we’ll discuss some of the negative impacts improperly recycled e-waste can have on the environment.

Environment Impact on Air Systems

One of the most common environmental implications of e-waste is its impact on earth’s air systems. Air pollution results from burning improperly recycled e-waste such as computers, blender, televisions, wires, etc. in open air – resulting in the release of hydrocarbons into the earth’s atmosphere. The long-term result of increased hydrocarbons in the atmosphere contribute to climate change and the greenhouse effect, depletion of the ozone layer, the reduction of plant’s photosynthetic ability, and increased frequency of cancer and respiratory disease in humans.

Environmental Impact on Water Systems

E-waste is composed of heavy metals such as lead, barium, mercury, and lithium. Studies show that increased exposure to heavy metals can lead to poisoning and cancer. Electronic waste typically ends up in landfills, resulting in heavy metals leaching into the soil and affecting groundwater systems. Groundwater will find its way into small bodies of water such as ponds, streams, and lakes that local communities depend on – resulting in that population’s prolonged exposure to carcinogens through ingestion of metal-heavy water.

Environmental Impact on Soil Systems

The prolonged effects of improperly recycled e-waste also permeate our soil systems. E-waste enters the soil-crop-food system – which is one of the most common ways in which humans are exposed to carcinogenic heavy metals. Heavy metals are not bio-degradable and as a result, persist in our soil systems for decades to come. The negative health effects due to prolonged exposure to heavy metals include irreversible congenital defects, multiple organ and skeletal damage, and significant damage to the nervous and reproductive systems of our bodies.

E-Waste and Circuit Board Recycling in Toronto

The most effective way to prevent the onset of environmental pollution is to properly recycle your electronic waste.

Luckily Alnor Industries is fully capable of properly recycling your electronic waste. We also offer pick-up services and rebates depending on re-salve value for certain types of electronic waste. Do your part to reduce environmental impact due to improperly recycled e-waste and call Alnor Industries for all your electronics and circuit board recycling needs!