Less Developed Nations May Become an E-waste Dumping Ground

Less Developed Nations May Become an E-waste Dumping Ground

Third world countries are in danger of being made a dumping ground for “secondary computers”, according to analyst Meike Escherich from Gartner.
 

"Although reuse must be considered preferable to most other forms of waste management, without effective controls, exports for reuse can be an excuse for dumping, and even in the best case result in 'passing the toxic buck' to emerging economies, which are seldom equipped to deal with this problem in an environmentally and socially responsible way," Escherich said.

 

Gartner revealed that around 37 million less sophisticated PCs have been remodelled and shipped to developing markets last year. The company is forecasting another boost in shipment of these computers by 2012.

 

Gartner said millions of secondary PCs had to be disposed of two years back. This accounted to 68 million, where 15 million had to be shipped to emerging countries.  The research firm disclosed the count will soon double annually, reaching 30 million by 2012. 

 

"Without action, OEMs will find that an increasing number of their PCs will either end up in landfills or find their way into illegal or badly set up private 'workshops' for dismantling.  Neither will be advantageous for a vendor's 'green' credentials,” Escherich explained.