Study of Electronic Waste Condition in Yazd City and Effect of Privatization Policies on its Amount (Case study: Computer wastes from governmental, public non-governmental and private organizations in Yazd city)

Subject Areas : Environmental pollutions (water, soil and air)

maedeh dehghani tafti ¹ , Ehsan Parvane Aval ²

1 - faculity member and director of environment research group - Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research-Yazd Branch, Iran
2 - Research Expert, Environmental pollution, Creativity Center of Yazd Municipality, Iran

Received: 2015-08-16 Accepted : 2016-11-08 Published : 2018-12-22

Keywords: Electrical and Electronic Wast, Privatization, Waste Production, Computer Systems,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Electronic waste management and disposal have been one of the main problems in recent decades. Government policies and management programs in the country have a huge impact on the production and management of electronic waste. Privatization programs in the country could lead to fundamental changes in the function of economy and waste management. Method: This study examines the amount of electronic and computer wastes, attitudes and knowledge about environmental and health effects of electronic wastes and the current waste management system in thirty organizations in three types of governmental, non-govermental and private organizations in Yazd and its suburbs using a questionnaire and collection of computer waste data. Findings: The results showed that the public non-governmental organizations have a higher percentage of computer waste production than the total annual purchase of computer (28% and 20% compared to governmental organizations with 3.7%). In this study, the amount of computer waste anually produced in the 30 studied organizations was estimated to be about 2.1 tons. Discussion and Conclusion: The considerable amount of computer waste production along with other electronic waste produced in different parts of the city and its suburbs can be used as raw materials required in electronic waste recycling centers. Electronic waste recycling can save resources, prevent the pollution cused by entry of toxic compounds such as lead and cadmium into the environment, contribute to recovery of valuable metals such as copper, finally leading to economic development and job creation.

References:

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