Copenhagen continues...

Continuing from where I left yesterday....Already we are buried under the debris of pollution ranging from air,water and sound which are contributing seriously to the the degradation of atmosphere, earth, water and various life processes thereby making life suvival difficult on Earth.Darwin's theory of 'Survival of the fittest' seems obsolete because when we are bound to breathe smoke and when fishes are bound to survive in turbid water contaminated with chemicals and washed away pesticides, it merely matters how strong one is because exposure to pollutants has increased to such a level that immunity can definitely help one to survive for longer time but sooner or later one has to succumb to this he who must not be named.
We contribute knowingly or unknowingly in degrading the environment.One of the issues that is engulfing communities around the world is that of E-pollution.Electronic waste, popularly known as ‘e-waste’ can be defined as electronic equipments / products connects with power plug, batteries which have become obsolete due to:
advancement in technology changes in fashion, style and status nearing the end of their useful life.

People tend to change heir personal computers after2-3 years of usage instead of upgrading it.Due to the lack of governmental legislations on e-waste, standards for disposal, proper mechanism for handling these toxic hi-tech products, mostly end up in landfills or partly recycled in a unhygienic conditions and partly thrown into waste streams.Not only computers but batteries, switches, motherboards, chips, televisions, other electrnic equipments forms the bulf of e-waste.Of these, the biggest source of PC scrap are foreign countries that export huge computer waste in the form of reusable components. This toxic e-waste contibutes hazardous chemicals in the form of lead which when washed of by water makes water toxic therby making marine life troubled.one of the serois threat posed by e-waste is due to its non-biodegradable nature.Most of these non-bio degradable items contain heavy metals like, carbon-zinc, silver oxide, lithium batteries, nickel-cadmium

, zinc batteries and nickel-metal hydride etc. When these equipments are burnt then they release abundant amount of fumes which causes damage to Earth in a way beyond our imagination.Land filling also is not a safe method at all. Chemicals present in e waste like, mercury, lead, cadmium or plastics are dumped on the ground. These chemicals pose a severe threat to soil and underground water. Most of these chemical leach into underground water which is extremely hazardous.
The dangers posed by e-waste are of such magnitude that IT companies have signed pact on reducing e-waste .

E-Parisaraa, an eco-friendly recycling unit on the outskirts of Bangalore which is located in Dobaspet industrial area, about 45 Km north of Bangalore, makes full use of E-Waste. The plant which is India’s first scientific e-waste recycling unit will reduce pollution, landfill waste and recover valuable metals, plastics & glass from waste in an eco-friendly manner. E-Parisaraa has developed a circuit to extend the life of tube lights. The circuit helps to extend the life of fluorescent tubes by more than 2000 hours. If the circuits are used, tube lights can work on lower voltages. The initiative is to aim at reducing the accumulation of used and discarded electronic and electrical equipments.

Now it is we who also have to contribute in this noble cause of reducing E-pollution.But how can we do it????Here are some tips which might seem small but when followed by everyone can start a revolution:
1)Use your electronic equipments for as long as possible. Even if they become old and obsolete try continue using them.In case of computers before changing your computer check if it can be upgraded and if this can be done by replacing two or three components then itwill be great contribution.
2)Working consumer electronics may be donated to a charity or thrift store so that they can be reused by others.
3)Learn how to recycle rechargeable cell phone batteries - to keep heavy metals out of landfills. Bury old batteries in your back garden, or look for recyclers that have taken the new 'Electronics Recycler's Pledge
4) Nokia has started with its initiative to reduce e-pollution.There are close to 5000 Nokia recycling points globally, each taking back mobile devices and accessories.Find your nearest recycling point at Nokia care centre,Nokia priority dealers, Nokia concept stores.You can also know about your nearest recycling point. Just SMS GREEN to 55555.

There are few who have taken this whole issue to an altogether a new level.Mr. B.K.Soni has no qualms making his hands dirty.His no ordinary van is an electronic shredder on wheels. It goes from office to office to pick up discarded e-waste. To read more about this wonderful initiative click here ECORECO....