Pakistan needs to regulate hazardous e-waste
Unknown to many, Karachi is a hot destination for the world’s electronic waste.
Most e-waste is exported to a few specific areas, such as Delhi in India, and Karachi in Pakistan. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
In western countries, replacing old electronic equipment frequently is very common. Given this trend, poor countries have long been a popular destination for the rich world’s unwanted trash. Many people around the world may be unaware of the fact that their old computers and televisions are shipped to different third world countries – especially India and Pakistan – for ‘recycling’ purposes.
Many countries are in the process of implementing laws that mandate switching from analogue to digital television broadcasting, further accelerating the rate at which people dispose off their old televisions. In addition, because of rapid advancements in technology, many consumers frequently replace mobile phones and computers. Because of this, the generation of electronic waste, or e-waste, is growing rapidly.
The European Union estimates that e-waste will grow every year by 3-5%, and e-waste now constitutes a larger portion of municipal waste than diapers or drink containers, according to the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the Basel Action Network. This is clearly a serious problem if e-waste cannot be recycled properly. In many poor countries, even those who have signed the Basel Convention, e-waste is handled improperly. Many workers in this sector are illiterate and are not aware of the safety regulations governing the handling of e-waste.
Most e-waste is exported to a few specific areas, such as Delhi in India, and Karachi in Pakistan. Many individuals are engaged in the e-waste industry in Karachi, a significant number of whom are children.
Circuit boards in Pakistan are often taken apart indoors with blowtorches, in rooms with very little ventilation. The circuit boards originate from all over the world, including the US, Kuwait, Australia, Japan and the UK. Only 2% of the computers that land here can be reused – for the remaining computers, all of the metals and plastics are taken out to be re-sold, according to Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the Basel Action Network. All of this work is done by hand, and no protective equipment is used.
Robert Knoth, a photographer affiliated with Greenpeace – the global nongovernmental environmental organisation – created a photo essay focussed on the Lyari are in Karachi. This area receives a lot of e-waste from Europe. Knoth found e-waste burning near the river in Lyari and many of the chemicals from the e-waste had seeped into the river, turning it black. He also found that many children, some as young as 12, were working in the e-waste industry.
Computer waste is very hazardous, as it contains brominates flame retardants (BFRs). Studies done on BFRs recently show that they can accumulate in animals and humans, meaning that they can easily enter the bloodstream. Even if computers are recycled properly, the high temperatures allow BFRs to combine with other chemicals, which is very dangerous. For these reasons, some computer companies are phasing BFRs out of electronic products. In addition, if computer parts are burned, dioxins are released, which are very toxic, according to Greenpeace International.
China, India and Pakistan are all parties to the Basel Convention, which means that more enforcement is needed. In countries such as Pakistan, there are many solutions to the e-waste problem. Workers and the environment affected by the e-waste industry need protection. A special fund should be set up by rich countries to educate workers in the industry about the dangers and for law enforcement. If this happens, the dangers faced by workers can significantly decrease.
THE WRITER COMMENTS ON ECONOMIC AND ENERGY-RELATED ISSUES
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2013.
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In western countries, replacing old electronic equipment frequently is very common. Given this trend, poor countries have long been a popular destination for the rich world’s unwanted trash. Many people around the world may be unaware of the fact that their old computers and televisions are shipped to different third world countries – especially India and Pakistan – for ‘recycling’ purposes.
Many countries are in the process of implementing laws that mandate switching from analogue to digital television broadcasting, further accelerating the rate at which people dispose off their old televisions. In addition, because of rapid advancements in technology, many consumers frequently replace mobile phones and computers. Because of this, the generation of electronic waste, or e-waste, is growing rapidly.
The European Union estimates that e-waste will grow every year by 3-5%, and e-waste now constitutes a larger portion of municipal waste than diapers or drink containers, according to the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the Basel Action Network. This is clearly a serious problem if e-waste cannot be recycled properly. In many poor countries, even those who have signed the Basel Convention, e-waste is handled improperly. Many workers in this sector are illiterate and are not aware of the safety regulations governing the handling of e-waste.
Most e-waste is exported to a few specific areas, such as Delhi in India, and Karachi in Pakistan. Many individuals are engaged in the e-waste industry in Karachi, a significant number of whom are children.
Circuit boards in Pakistan are often taken apart indoors with blowtorches, in rooms with very little ventilation. The circuit boards originate from all over the world, including the US, Kuwait, Australia, Japan and the UK. Only 2% of the computers that land here can be reused – for the remaining computers, all of the metals and plastics are taken out to be re-sold, according to Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the Basel Action Network. All of this work is done by hand, and no protective equipment is used.
Robert Knoth, a photographer affiliated with Greenpeace – the global nongovernmental environmental organisation – created a photo essay focussed on the Lyari are in Karachi. This area receives a lot of e-waste from Europe. Knoth found e-waste burning near the river in Lyari and many of the chemicals from the e-waste had seeped into the river, turning it black. He also found that many children, some as young as 12, were working in the e-waste industry.
Computer waste is very hazardous, as it contains brominates flame retardants (BFRs). Studies done on BFRs recently show that they can accumulate in animals and humans, meaning that they can easily enter the bloodstream. Even if computers are recycled properly, the high temperatures allow BFRs to combine with other chemicals, which is very dangerous. For these reasons, some computer companies are phasing BFRs out of electronic products. In addition, if computer parts are burned, dioxins are released, which are very toxic, according to Greenpeace International.
China, India and Pakistan are all parties to the Basel Convention, which means that more enforcement is needed. In countries such as Pakistan, there are many solutions to the e-waste problem. Workers and the environment affected by the e-waste industry need protection. A special fund should be set up by rich countries to educate workers in the industry about the dangers and for law enforcement. If this happens, the dangers faced by workers can significantly decrease.
THE WRITER COMMENTS ON ECONOMIC AND ENERGY-RELATED ISSUES
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2013.
Like Business on Facebook to stay informed and join in the conversation.