Task 2: E-Waste and Circular Economy

 E-WASTE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

E-waste is also called Electronic Waste. It has been in great demand these days resulting in an increment of E-waste generation. It basically is the recycling of discarded electronic products which are later on reused or recycled. It might have been on an increase in the present generation but it contains various toxic components which might be harmful to a living being as the electronic items contain mercury, lead, beryllium, cadmium, and lithium. 

They have a harmful effect on humans which might lead to brain, heart, liver, kidney, and to an extent, skeletal damages. They are deemed to be not so effective ways of recycling waste. It requires large space and is not an environmentally sound treatment. 

The Circular economy is a systematic way of economic development that is designed in a way to benefit society, businesses, and the environment. By taking into consideration the production processes, the outline of the reuse, repairing, and recycling of items are taken care of which helps increase sustainable manufacturing and consumption which is the need of the hour. It could even help in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as the harmful elements are being taken care of. 

By the use of a circular economy, we can basically pave a way to less harm to the environment thus saving humankind directly or indirectly. Moving on this path would help reduce pressure on the environment, improving the security of the supply of the raw materials by stimulation of innovation and not last, the increase in the number of people who are offered work. Consumers are provided it much better innovative and durable products which help them save their money for the long term.

Sustainable waste management is the most important concept in the circular economy. Apart from clarifying many of the problems, it creates opportunities namely: 

1. Economic Opportunity

2. Social Opportunity

3. Environmental Opportunity

a) Economic Opportunity: Waste Management basically involves collecting, sorting, treating, recycling, and if it is properly provided a source of energy and resources. Economic opportunities have been on a rise and people have been benefited from an increase in the number of job openings

b) Social Opportunity: Improvement in waste management leads to a better livelihood for the local population as the hygienic conditions improve and there is a drastic reduction in health risks which was taking place in the past due to illegal dumping and inadequate garbage collection. 

c) Environmental Opportunity: The main advantage that is seen clearly by the use of sustainable waste management is to lessen the impact on the environment because it helps in the improvement of the air and water quality and thereby contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 

To conclude, the use of sufficient and better methods where there is less emission of harmful gases and there is less harm to the environment, the human life would do a world of good and make the earth a better place to live. The recycling must therefore take place with proper disposal of unrecyclable particles and elements. The circular economy is important as it takes care of many such aspects which not only helps reduce waste but also helps in the reduction of pollution in the atmosphere and specifically water and air pollution. It even helps by creating social and environmental opportunities. 

We will surely see the circular economy growing over the coming years. People have been understanding and keeping themselves informed about waste product recycling and reusing methods which will have a major impact in the future.