The Harm of Electronic Waste.
Electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant harm to the environment because it often contains harmful substances like lead, mercury, and bromine, which cause water and soil pollution.
Additionally, the disposal of e-waste often generates toxic emissions and leads to air pollution. The burial or incineration of electronic waste can create numerous health and environmental problems.
According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), a record 62 million tons of e-waste were produced in 2022, marking an 82% increase since 2010.
The same report forecasts that e-waste will increase by 33% by 2030, reaching 82 million tons annually. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for immediate action to address the growing crisis.
In Vietnam, research by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology shows that approximately 100,000 tons of e-waste are generated annually, mainly from household electronics and office equipment. It is estimated that by 2025, e-waste from televisions alone could reach 250,000 tons.
The handling and recycling of e-waste in Vietnam show that the rate of e-waste processing remains low. Licensed companies are mostly focused on manual dismantling, with only a few equipped with licensed facilities capable of processing electronic circuit boards.
Additionally, Vietnam has only managed to recycle common materials like iron, copper, lead, tin, and plastics using outdated technology and equipment, and it is unable to recycle precious metals, which are present in high quantities in e-waste.
Experts warn that e-waste can cause devastating harm to the environment if not properly managed. Electronic waste can release harmful substances such as mercury, lead, and nickel into the environment, affecting both the environment and human health through contaminated land, water, and air. Workers exposed to e-waste are particularly vulnerable.
There are several ways to handle e-waste sustainably and safely for the environment, including:
Recycling and Reusing: Encourage the recycling and reuse of old electronic devices to reduce the amount of e-waste generated. Individuals should also be more responsible about waste separation, proper storage, and use of electronics to extend their lifespan and reduce e-waste.
Separation and Collection: Sort e-waste by type and collect it at official collection points or recycling systems.
Safe Disposal: Use safe disposal methods, such as mechanical, chemical, or thermal treatment, to remove harmful substances from e-waste.
Promoting Recycling Standards: Encourage the adoption of recycling standards for e-waste management to minimize negative impacts on the environment and human health.
Support Recycling and Reuse Programs: Support social programs and projects aimed at reusing and recycling old electronic devices to help reduce e-waste.
"Seeing how much waste events create, Gloton started exploring the use of cardboard for decorations in 2022. Our goal is to cut carbon emissions by using recycled, eco-friendly materials.Every project tells a story of our creativity, our dedication to protecting the planet, and our drive to keep innovating."
