[Source: ScienceDaily] – A proposal under debate in the U.S. Congress to ban the export of electronics waste would likely make a growing global environmental problem even worse, say authors of an article from the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
The authors call into question conventional thinking that trade bans can prevent “backyard recycling” of electronics waste — primarily old and obsolete computers — in developing countries.
Primitive recycling processes used in these countries are dispersing materials and pollutants that are contaminating air, water and soil.
For more information: E-Waste: Crude Recycling Methods Used in Developing Countries Contaminate Air, Water and Soil, Researchers Say