Proof read Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Proof read - Essay Example 3 Opportunity This report was designed to enhance the understanding of the benefits of donating recycled electronics or â€Å"e-waste† through Free Geek. It seeks to answer the following questions: Why is it necessary to recycle e-waste? What is Free Geek and how does it promote environmental sustainability and education? How can Intel’s donations to Free Geek benefit the e-waste problem locally and globally? What benefits can Intel expect if they donate to Free Geek? Background Over the last couple of decades, Intel has been a leader in technology, advancing not only technology, but the way the world interacts with it. Intel is at the forefront of the computer chip manufacturing industry and is possibly the most influential technology companies in the past century. Intel’s leadership and influence has set standards for similar companies for the betterment of the environment. Free Geek, a local non-profit organization in Portland Oregon, describes itself in the c ompany’s mission statement as an organization that firmly believes that recycling is best done through â€Å"reuse†. Owing to this philosophy, the company refurbishes whatever it can and gives it back to the community â€Å"with a new lease on life†. This way the stuff doesn’t get thrown into the garbage or used for landfills to filter toxins from the soil nor is it dumped to developing countries to be disassembled by young ones. The company makes sure that all electronic materials that are not reused are recycled in a responsible manner within the confines of North America. Imagine the possibilities if two forward thinking companies worked together with a common goal for the greater good of all humanity.   This report shall shed light on the downfalls of e-waste, the benefits of cooperation, and the positives of donation.   While e-waste is a global calamity, this report shall focus on a smaller scale, primarily the United States.    Discussion of Findings Hazards and Effects of E-waste E-waste has many negative effects on the livelihood of humans, animals and their natural habitats. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are a component of e-waste that is used as flame retardants in plastics in high tech electronics. This chemical compound is synthetic and is not a product of nature. It mainly includes bromine with some amounts of chlorine, fluorine, iodine and astatine. This compound works by releasing bromine atoms that depletes the surrounding oxygen in the air. PBDEs are toxic in that they are responsible for the disruption of thyroid hormones, deficits in neurodevelopment and cancer (Hooper and McDonald). These PBDEs have been detected in marine mammals everywhere from the Baltic Sea to the Great Lakes and are found in humans in the United States at higher levels than anywhere else in the world (Grossman 113). Since only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled in the U.S. it is questionable where the rest goes (U.S Environmental Protecti on Agency). â€Å"On the outskirts of Ghana’s biggest city sits a smoldering wasteland, a slum carved into the banks of the Korle Lagoon, one of the most polluted bodies of water on earth† (WGBH Educational Foundation). Exported e-waste has a huge impact in a lot of developing countries. These developing countries offer a very inexpensive recycling service although most workers work in extremely unsafe environments. Tests revealed the presence of purely acidic soil near some of the work areas having a pH level of 0 (Grossman 187). Impact of Corporate Recycling of