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Education practices for sustainability
Education practices for sustainability
Social and economic aspects of sustainability
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Product Recycling – IPhone and Dell Laptop The rate and advancement of technology production is remarkable. Almost as soon as you purchase a new phone, laptop, MP3 player, it becomes out of date within a year. We have become part of an endless consumer chain, constantly being prodded to buy the next “best” item even though we already have a functioning product. In fact, from 1999 to 2005, Americans threw away more than 157 million computer products (EPA, 2012). What are the environmental externalities of such behavior? Many do not stop to think where these products came from, who was affected in their making, and what happens to these products once we decide to replace them for the latest model. I have noticed that two of the most common products used by students on campus are iPhones and laptops; commodities which are almost required in a college setting, enabling students to check email, write papers, and make phone calls. Consequently, I would like to examine the ecological implications of iPhones and Dell laptops (a laptop brand I personally own) and recycling programs for these products. As far as technology products go, Apple makes a point of trying to eliminate most harmful chemicals. Apple states on its website that it has eliminated the use of mercury, lead, arsenic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), brominated flame retardants, and phthalates from its processes and supply chain. Although, Apple does provide a disclaimer that PVC and Phthalates are still used in the manufacture of products in India and South Korea (Apple, 2014). PVC and Phthalates lead to nerve damage, immune reactions and liver cancer, and reproductive system damage respectively. Yet, despite Apple’s claims of environmental responsibility, the company is st... ... middle of paper ... ... Will Recycle Your IPhone for Free, Or Most of It. Bloomberg News. Retrieved from: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-04-25/apple-will-recycle-your-iphone-for-free-or-most-of-it Rees, Eifon. (2011 April 4). Apple: the hidden costs of your iPad and iPhone. The Ecologist. Retrieved from: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/837185/apple_the_hidden_costs_of_your_ipad_and_iphone.html Santillo, D., Walters, A., Brigden, K., Labunska, I., Greenpeace Research Laboratories. (2007, Oct.) Missed Call: iPhone's hazardous chemicals. Greenpeace. Retrieved From: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/PageFiles/25275/iPhones-hazardous-chemicals.pdf The Associated Press. (2014 Mar 12). Groups say Apple uses dangerous chemicals in iPhones. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved from: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/groups-say-apple-uses-dangerous-chemicals-in-iphones/
Did you know, the personal care products you use every day have dozens of toxic chemicals that link to cancer, asthma, learning disabilities, and more? A campaign community working to build a healthier planet called The Story of Stuff and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, created a seven minute film called Chemicals in Beauty Products: The Story of Cosmetics. The purpose of this campaign film is to inform its viewers, specifically women and moms, about the toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo, that we may not know about. It addresses the top harmful chemicals that we are putting into our bodies, the products they are most likely found in, and
Even though electronic waste contributes one percent of waste as discussed earlier, it poses a significant threat to the environment. “RCRA does not, however, cover electronic waste except CRTs, nor does it regulate electronic devices donated for educational or charitable reuse.” The RCRA should implement rules to govern e-waste because e-waste not only affects lives in the United States, It affects everyone globally. E-waste typically finds its ways out of the United States and ends up in developing countries like
Rudel , R. A., Camann, D. E., Spengler, J. D., Korn, L. R., & Brody, J. G. (2003). Phthalates, Alkylphenols, Pesticides, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, and Other Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in Indoor Air and Dust. Environmental Science and Technology, 37(20), 4543-4553. Retrieved from http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es0264596
Electronic waste, or any waste for that matter is an inevitable part of an economic system where the destruction of an ecosystem is the primarily source of resources that are used to create the product. The waste that occurs from this process has to be disposed of in some way and more often than not, it is disposed of carelessly with out consideration to the affect it would have on the environment or the very people that create and let capitalism live on, “The political economy approach also defers progress on environmental issues to a pint after economic ones are solved” (Robbins et al. 2010, 114). And if this continues there may be no place left for the excess waste created by capitalism.
In a world that is rapidly becoming faster paced, finding various means to keep up with the changing environment is a must. Cell phones are one of the most practical inventions of time that make this possible. However, the subtle effect they have on our culture today, their invasion of our privacy, and the possible health risks they may cause are reasons to reassess the value of this intriguing device. While cell phones may be valuable, they are also potentially harmful.
Cell phones have gradually become a large part of a person’s life. A person’s day usually starts and ends by using a phone. People may argue that this is false, but for many, their alarm is on their phone, and that is the first sound they hear in the morning, followed by the action of turning it off. Even looking at the time of day requires someone to turn on their phone. Even though a cell phone might be the most innovative item on the market that makes everyone’s lives easier, it could end up harming them from many different aspects. This paper will focus on scientific, economic, and environmental point of views.
While Apple's latest attempt was seen as a small step toward greener pastures, it didn't assuage activist concerns. "We're glad to hear that Apple will accept its problematic iPods for free recycling," said Robin Schneider, vice-president of CTBC, "but we are calling on Mr. Jobs to offer free recycling for all of their old products."
...cause of the bad safety conditions, workers are ordered to use poisonous chemical to clean iphone screens, or explosions occurred because of aluminum dust which could be easily solved by installing ventilation.
The environmental performance of numerous tech companies has been evaluated and since Apple has grown over time, it has received more attention. There has been a frequent campaign against Apple by different environmental organisations such as Greenpeace requesting for the elimination of hardware components that are non-recyclable hardware components, a comprehensive plan that would make the products of Apple not end up in the waste and the removal of toxins from iPhone hardware (Apple Inc. 2016). As much as such campaigns affect the operations of Apple Inc., they are good since they help in the conservation of the environment thus having a good impact on the
Motorola, like most cell phone companies/providers, claims that the radiation emitted by cell phones has no effect on the health of their users and there is currently no concrete evidence tha...
Brain tumors and eye cancer are two health concerns of cell phones that are currently under investigation. Many people have heard rumors about whether or not cell phones are responsible for these health problems, but answers never seem to be found.
For example: technology and electronics are a huge part of our culture and society. The “fast paced” nature of technology creates products that become outdate very quickly. Electronics not containing lead or mercury are very much recyclable. However, instead of recycling, people just throw these items away, not thinking ...
Serrano, T. (2013). Cell Phones Can Harbor Dangerous Levels of Germs and Bacteria. [online] Cellphone-Health Blog. Available at:http://blog.cellphone-health.com/2013/06/cell-phones-can-harbor-dangerous-levels-of-germs-and-bacteria.html/[Accessed 9 May. 2014].
Some examples of harmful toxins with difficult names include diethanolamine (DEA), formaldehyde, glucocorticoids, and triethanolamine (TEA). We are exposed to toxic chemicals in many ways. We may breathe them in as sprays and powders, swallow chemicals on our lips and, even rub them on our skin. According to a team of researchers who conducted a study on the relationship between exposure to phthalates and DNA damage on human sperm, “cosmetics frequently contain enhancers that allow ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. Studies have found health problems in people exposed to common fragrance and sunscreen ingredients, including increased risk of sperm damage, feminization of the male reproductive system and low birth weight in girls” (Duty et al. 1164). There should be regulations banning toxic chemicals from personal care and beauty products because toxins are bad for our health (1), the consumer faith in cosmetic companies are suffering (2), and other countries recognized the effects and banned it while America has not
Health Risks of Cell Phones Health risks have started to be associated with radiation exposure from certain technological devices. Cell phones are popular in society today. Ever since the discovery of the device back in the late 1900’s, people have been interested in what they can do. Over the years cell phones have developed into bigger and better objects. Researchers have helped to make cell phones appealing to all ages in society. Cell phones have become easier to use because of the size, shape, and way they are now made. Back in the late 1900’s cell phones were large and bulky, and a person could only talk to someone. Now a day’s people can call and text a person, and see what someone is up to. One thing that has become popular to teenagers,