Provide a brief discussion (1 page) on the global cross boundary transport of e-wastes.
ASSIGMENT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN 18 HOURS MAX! THANKS
Select only one of the topics and discuss the issue and develop an overview of the problem as described in the Topic below. Your report should address the points as indicated, estimated of quantities, materials and other relevant information. Please limit your report to 2-4 pages (appendices are OK) including figures, tables, calculations, references.
Extra credit: I have provided a paper to read: “From electronic consumer products to e-wastes: Global outlook, waste quantities, recycling challenges”
Provide a brief discussion (1 page) on the global cross boundary transport of e-wastes.
ENV 3001 – Global Learning (GL) Assignment
This assignment provides a brief background on materials use and waste management. There are
two topics provided:
Topic 1: Endangered elements
Topic 2: Persistent waste materials in the environment (e.g., plastics)
The GL assignment should be submitted via Canvas before the last class of the semester
(Thursday June 13, 2019).
Assignment:
Select only one of the topics and discuss the issue and develop an overview of the problem as
described in the Topic below. Your report should address the points as indicated, estimated of
quantities, materials and other relevant information. Please limit your report to 2-4 pages
(appendices are OK) including figures, tables, calculations, references.
Extra credit: I have provided a paper to read: “From electronic consumer products to e-wastes:
Global outlook, waste quantities, recycling challenges”
Provide a brief discussion (1 page) on the global cross boundary transport of e-wastes.
Background
There has been significant technological advancements since 1950s. Technology adoption rates
and product replacement cycles create challenges for materials supply and management of
discarded products.
Fig. 1. Major advancements since 1990.
Fig. 2. Technology penetration.
Fig. 3. Product marketing and consumer purchase cycles. Note that disposal is not a main
consumer issue.
Fig. 4. World Population
Fig. 5. Most densely populated regions in the World.
Fig. 6. Water scarcity in the World.
Fig. 6. Growth of World population and the history of technology.
Topic 1: Endangered elements
With rapid growth in innovation and technology development over the past several decades, an
increasing number of elements in the periodic table are now used in advanced consumer products
to perform specialized functions. At the same time, with the decreasing cost and increasing
availability of the consumer products and their short use cycles; there has been increasing
concerns regarding the availability of some of the elements in the future. The concerns for supply
of materials and necessary elements include:
projected production quantities
available markets and projected market potential for products
changes in production or in available ore deposits in different countries
geopolitically concentrated production of materials
minimal or lack of end-of-life recycling efforts
The following periodic table has been developed by the American Chemical Society to bring
awareness for the rate of utilization of some elements which are likely to be available in limited
quantities.
Select one of the endangered elements and discuss:
a. where it is produced b. where it is used c. production rate and consumption rate d. provide preliminary calculations for people using and discarding a specific type of
products where these materials are used
Topic 2: Persistent waste materials in the environment (e.g., plastics)
Decomposition characteristics of plastics in the environment depends on both the conditions in
the environment and the characteristics of the polymeric material. Since majority of the plastics
present in MSW are sensitive to photo oxidation, they can remain stable for longer times in the
landfill in comparison to their transformation behavior when they are exposed to sunlight (i.e.,
floating on the sea surface). A wide variety of chemical additives are incorporated into the
plastics. Some additives are designed to stabilize the polymer and make it more resistant for
degradation. For example, anti-oxidants and stabilizers used as additives inhibit the degradation
of the polymer, while pro-oxidant additives make the plastics more sensitive towards
degradation. Presence of starch increases biodegradability of plastics; however, biodegradation
of starch will not work without a pro-oxidant. The additives used in plastics are usually not
covalently bonded to the polymer. Therefore, they can leach out from the plastic material as it
degrades. Thus degradation rates of the plastics (even those with added starch) depends strongly
on the type and amount of additives used. The half-life of most plastics is over 100 years in
landfills or the environment.
PP: polypropylene, PS:polystyrene, PET: polyethylene terephthalate, LDPE: lowdensity polyethylene, HDPE: high
density polyethylene PVC: polyvinyl chloride
Select one type of plastic (PP: polypropylene, PS:polystyrene, PET: polyethylene terephthalate,
LDPE: lowdensity polyethylene, HDPE: high density polyethylene PVC: polyvinyl chloride) and
discuss:
a. where it is used b. how much is used and discarded c. provide preliminary calculations for use and discarding rates of the specific type of
plastic
