Skip to main content

Home/ Hospitality Technology/ Group items tagged circular-economy

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
mtedd003

UN report: Time to seize opportunity, tackle challenge of e-waste | UNEP - UN Environme... - 0 views

www.unenvironment.org/...unity-tackle-challenge-e-waste

e-waste technology Hospitality solution green

shared by mtedd003 on 01 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • The world produces as much as 50 million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) a year, weighing more than all of the commercial airliners ever made. Only 20% of this is formally recycled.
  • worth over $62.5 billion
  • Global e-waste production is on track to reach 120 million tonnes per year by 2050 if current trends continue,
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • $62.5 billion, more than the GDP of most countries.
  • Less than 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, with 80% either ending up in landfill or being informally recycled – much of it by hand in developing countries, exposing workers to hazardous and carcinogenic substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium.
  • improper management of e-waste is resulting in a significant loss of scarce and valuable raw materials, such as gold, platinum, cobalt and rare earth elements.
    • mtedd003
      mtedd003 on 01 Sep 20
       
      The resources not consumed but still existing in landfills.
  • circular economy in which resources are not extracted, used and discarded, but valued and reused
  • Nigerian Government, the Global Environment Facility and UN Environment announced a $2-million investment to kick off the formal e-waste recycling industry in Nigeria.
  • 100,000 people work in the informal e-waste sector in Nigeria.
  • PACE is a public-private collaboration mechanism and project accelerator dedicated to bringing about the circular economy at speed and scale.
  • The UN E-waste coalition is a group of seven UN agencies who have come together to increase collaboration, build partnerships and more efficiently provide support to Member States to address the e-waste challenge.
  • mtedd003 on 01 Sep 20
     
    The Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) is a public-private group consisting of more than 50 heads from various internal and external organizations. The group intends to fight the route cause of e-waste by repairing the method for which technology is recycled. The plan of action is to establish a circular economy. Materials are consumed, trashed, and eventually sent to landfills or sent for workers in toxic unsafe conditions to extract the precious materials. The world produces 50 million tons of e-waste annually, accumulating a worth of almost $62 billion. 80% of e-waste is improperly recycled in dangerous polluted conditions, creating an environmental hazard and unethical work conditions. Valuable resources such as gold, are also lost due to this poor method of recycling.Nigeria is one of the many countries that has exploited thousands of workers in the recycling of e-waste. In an effort to reform this issue, the Nigerian government has invested $15 million to employ PACE's circular economy. The design of a circular economy allows for products to be either made for longer use or recycled in a sustainable way. The circular economy will allow for a more efficient and environmentally friendly method of harvesting these resources while providing sustainable job opportunities.
fischerc014

What Can We Do About the Growing E-waste Problem? - 0 views

news.climate.columbia.edu/...growing-e-waste-problem

technology Hospitality e-waste circular-economy

shared by fischerc014 on 17 Apr 22 - No Cached
  • Why the upsurge in e-waste? Technology is becoming more and more integrated into every aspect of our lives.
  • Companies intentionally plan the obsolescence of their goods by updating the design or software and discontinuing support for older models, so that now it is usually cheaper and easier to buy a new product than to repair an old one.
  • The U.S., the second largest producer of e-waste after China, produced 10 million tons of e-waste in 2012
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • 40 percent of the e-waste supposedly recycled in the U.S. was actually exported. Most of it ended up in developing countries—usually in Asia
  • only 29 percent of this was recycled—the rest is usually landfilled, incinerated or stuck in a closet.
  • With the flood of e-waste growing around the world, recycling alone will not be enough.
  • A circular economy is one that aims to keep products and all their materials in circulation at their highest value at all times or for as long as possible.
  • imagine a system where the provider or manufacturer retained ownership of the device through the contract so customers would pay a lower monthly fee and be expected to return the device for an upgrade. The value could be recaptured in the form of parts for remanufacture or materials for recycling, and customers would still get their upgrades.”
  • fischerc014 on 17 Apr 22
     
    E-waste (electronic waste) has continually risen due to technology being part of our everyday lives. Upgrades for technology happen e very year and so the life span of devices becomes shorter due to new technology being available. Only 29% of e-waste is recycled in the U.S. There has to be better solutions to combat e-waste. The concept of circular economy can help with the e-waste problem.
smajo003

Local Economies Definition: Everything You Need to Know - 0 views

www.sustainablebusinesstoolkit.com/ity-development-social-capital

shared by smajo003 on 13 Apr 23 - No Cached
  • A circular economy prevails, which benefits the community, the residents, and the environment.  
  • smajo003 on 13 Apr 23
     
    If we begin to look at things through more of a local economy then we will begin to have more responsibility on how we dispose of our e waste. Because we have more of an understanding of how it will directly effect the environment around us.
anonymous

E-waste - a toxic waste stream where valuable finite resources are lost - 0 views

tcocertified.com/e-waste

technology hospitality hotel green

shared by anonymous on 27 Sep 19 - No Cached
  • anonymous on 27 Sep 19
     
    This article continues the talk after the YouTube video about computer parts being sent to China. It talks in depth about E-waste and the effects on the health of communities. E-waste is effecting our environment negatively and something needs to be done. The article goes into talking about a circular economy is needed to help reduce the waste. We shouldn't be throwing away an iPhone every time a new one comes out. Those parts should be reusable or upgradable.
yuqiongliang

E-Waste Offers an Economic Opportunity as Well as Toxicity - The New York Times - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...unity-as-well-as-toxicity.html

hospitality hotel green technology mobile

shared by yuqiongliang on 07 Feb 20 - No Cached
  • yuqiongliang on 07 Feb 20
     
    To move toward a circular economy, manufacturers would also need to embrace a "green design" that minimizes the generation of e-waste in the first place.
anaferia

How E-Waste Affects the Environment - Human-I-T - 1 views

www.human-i-t.org/-waste-affects-the-environment

shared by anaferia on 28 Sep 22 - No Cached
amdelgad liked it
  • As the world’s fastest-growing waste stream for almost a decade now, e-waste affects the environment in truly detrimental ways. And it’s not slowing down
  • e-waste generated annually has grown by over 7% since 2020
  • 59.4 million metric tons projected by the end of 2022
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • e-waste negatively impacts the environment: air, water, and soil.
  • two big factors contributing to its current acceleration.
  • first is growing incomes in low- and middle-income countries which allow more people than ever to access consumer electronics
  • second is the increasing availability of previously unthought-of electronic products to consumers in middle- and high-income countries
  • Products like e-cigarettes and electric vehicles are just two examples of products that, due to their increased popularity, have begun contributing more e-waste to landfills over the past decade.
  • electronics which power our lives are composed of substances which are harmful to the environment and our health.
  • expected to grow 26% by 2030 and double by 2050
  • the dismantling, shredding, or burning of e-waste can also release large, coarse particles into the air.
  • E-waste workers dismantle and shred electronics at these plants, which flings large amounts of dust and other particulates into the air.
  • e-waste workers use acids, desoldering materials, and other chemicals to dissolve e-waste with high-value materials like gold and silver . These techniques then release additional damaging fumes into local communities.
  • Recyclers dispose of acids and other chemicals they rely on to strip precious metals from e-waste into streams, ponds, and rivers. Then, the heavy metals inside of e-waste – like lead, arsenic, and cadmium – then compound this damage by seeping into water tables from landfills and e-waste dumps.
  • Increased acidification of waterways leads to more marine life and fish dying.
  • The heavy metals that are present then leach into those same waterways where they damage fishes’ tissues and gills.
  • two contaminants – acid and heavy metals – decimate biodiversity. This creates a domino effect where some organisms – previously constrained by predators – are then able to flourish and dominate the area
  • increased exposure to e-waste leads to ecosystem collapse in and around our waterways.
  • E-waste pollutes the air primarily as a consequence of improper recycling processes that are typical at informal e-waste processing plants located in developing economies
  • due to their size and weight, these particles then quickly fall back to Earth where they subsequently contaminate soil. Shredding and burning of e-waste also produces toxic ash containing heavy metals and flame retardants which then leach into soil.
  • If we want to protect our planet from scourge e-waste, we’re going to have to start prioritizing reuse above all. By embracing this central principle of the circular economy, we can begin diverting valuable electronics away from landfills and back into the hands of people who need them
  • anaferia on 28 Sep 22
     
    To summarize, E-waste has been the fastest-growing waste stream in the world for nearly a decade, and it has a really negative impact on the environment. And the pace is not decreasing. E-waste is made of the materials that make up the electronics that run our life which are bad for the environment and for our health. Additionally, the three primary impacts are air, water, and soil that negatively affects the environment. Finally, to protect our planet from e-waste is prioritizing reuse of products.
nellyvero71

5 best recycling practices from around the world | BBVA - 1 views

www.bbva.com/...ractices-from-around-the-world

recycling practices

shared by nellyvero71 on 11 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • one of the key strategies that countries need to embrace is the so-called “three Rs” approach: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, to ensure that waste generation and management is as sustainable as possible.
  • finding new uses to a large portion of the waste generated each year.
  • need to recycle
  • ...12 more annotations...
  • Recycling yields two key advantages: First, it allows reusing substantial amounts of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or spoiling natural spaces; Second, it allows generating raw materials and avoid wasting materials and natural resources.
  • Several countries have managed to increase their recycling rates in recent years by investing in technology, and awareness campaigns and introducing policies aimed at encouraging citizens and businesses to recycle more and better.
  • Sweden’s become extremely successful at sorting and reusing waste, thanks to the firm commitment of its population, and everyone’s involvement in the process from their own households.
  • Northern European countries are pioneers in the sustainable processing of urban and industrial waste.
  • generate enough electricity to power 250,000 households, and contribute to dramatically reduce waste and emissions.
  • Neighbors are responsible for sorting, treating and segregating their household waste, and then complying with the strict and scheduled collection calendar.
  • One of the countries that have best understood the importance of the circular economy is Switzerland.
  • the country has become a pioneer in the recycling of organic waste, which is used to make compost.
  • one third of the food created in the world is spoiled or thrown away
  • also means a high cost in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The organic waste collected is used to produce biogas to fuel power plants, crop fertilizers and livestock feed.
  • recycling rate has increased from 5% to 64%, one of the highest in Europe and expects to keep improving to become one of the world’s leading nations in this field.
  • nellyvero71 on 11 Jun 20
     
    The article is about how United Nations set up a goal to foster sustainable and environmentally-responsible consumption and productions patterns. The key to reach this goal for the countries need to be focused on Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The article specifically explain how Sweden, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea and Wales are implementing strategies to reach that goal.
ovila009

China's e-waste worth $23.8 billion by 2030 - Greenpeace East Asia - 0 views

www.greenpeace.org/...e-worth-23-8-billion-by-2030-2

shared by ovila009 on 22 Feb 21 - No Cached
  • The value of metals discarded as electronic waste in China will total $23.8 billion USD by 2030
  • E-waste from computers, mobile phones, and other electronics will reach 15.4 million tons by 2020
  • 27.22 million tons by 2030
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • The economic potential of e-waste recycling is obvious
  • Electronics brands enjoy wide profit margins, and should incentivize consumers to recycle unused products, and not just to discard or hold on to out-of-use products.
  • Investment in the “urban mining” industry, reliable and transparent information on the recycling market, and a stronger focus on design, for more durable and repairable devices, can all support the development of an e-waste circular economy.
  • ovila009 on 22 Feb 21
     
    This article goes into detail about the economic potential of the e-waste industry. China is primed to be the remain the biggest player in the market. It is wise for all governments and companies involved to work together to find a solution that makes this industry safe and sustainable.
teresastas

What Is Planned Obsolescence? Major Tech Companies Rely On It - 1 views

www.greenmatters.com/...planned-obsolescence

technology Tech green

shared by teresastas on 29 Aug 21 - No Cached
  • A new regulation in France called the French repairability index requires a variety of tech products to publicize repairability scores, meaning the planned obsolescence behind major tech companies is finally coming to light.
  • This planned obsolescence business model is the foundation of many consumer industries, from fashion (especially in fast fashion) to shaving (ever hear of the razor and blades business model?). But one of its most interesting applications is in technology.
  • France launched the French repairability index. As part of this new program, France is now requiring manufacturers to clearly disclose repairability scores next to prices for five types of products: laptops, lawnmowers, smartphones, TVs, and washing machines.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 29 Aug 21
       
      I think this is a mandate that will help consumer's make better choices when it comes to purchasing tech. If something like this were to come to the US it would help consumers make more informed decisions.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Samsung products’ scores range from 5.6 to 8.2, as reported by Le Monde. As part of the French repairability index, Samsung actually published a free repair manual for its Samsung Galaxy phone, which should help customers avoid having to pay for a repair or replaceme
  • Microsoft’s website shows its scores for a variety of Surface laptops, which range from 3.7 to 4.1.
  • According to Apple’s French website, the company gave all varieties of its iPhone 12 a 6 out of 10; its iPhone 11 models all scored either 4.5 or 4.6; and its MacBook Pro computers scored between 5.6 and 7, meaning Apple’s scores top out around a C-. 
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 29 Aug 21
       
      I am not surprised by these scores at all for Apple their business model is based off of Planned Obsolescence.
  • The new French repairability index forces tech companies to be more transparent about how easy it is to repair their products. With mounting piles of e-waste polluting the Earth, rampant injustice in the cobalt mining industry, and labor law violations in overseas tech factories, forcing tech companies to make products easier to repair (and therefore create less of a demand for more new products to be made) could do a lot of good. 
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 29 Aug 21
       
      This is an important step in trying to eliminate e-waste but with technology moving and changing the way that it is I don't know if being able to do repairs or updates will make too much of a difference.
  • teresastas on 29 Aug 21
     
    This article addresses the French reparability index which is a relatively new implementation that started in January of 2021, It requires that reparability scores are posted on some major tech products in France in hopes of slowing down planned obsolescence and eliminating tech waste. France is the first country to implement such as mandate and it bringing to light the notion of planned obsolescence to the general public. This article shares some of the major tech brands scores and how they are fairing against their competition.
cborregomarsh

Can New Technologies Recycle the 90% of Plastics That Don't Get Recycled? - America's P... - 0 views

plasticmakers.org/lastics-that-dont-get-recycled

shared by cborregomarsh on 02 Jun 23 - No Cached
  • advanced recycling. These technologies turn used solid plastics into their gas/liquid raw materials to be remade into “virgin” quality plastics for use in virtually any plastic product or packaging.
  • Plastics that once ended up in landfills and incinerators now can be remade and stay in use.
  • With proper support, these technologies can scale quickly, potentially doubling the plastics recycling rate in the U.S. and Canada by 2030
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Over the past few years, more than $8.7 billion has been invested in plastic recycling, mostly in advanced technologies. That’s enough potential to divert 13.6 billion pounds of waste from landfills each year.
  • These technologies are poised for rapid growth and can lead us down the path toward a circular economy in which used plastics are remade into new plastics that can be remade again and again.
  • cborregomarsh on 02 Jun 23
     
    Advanced recycling technologies can significantly increase the different types, and amount of plastics that can be recycled. The overall goal is to turn plastics that once ended up in landfills back into new plastics that can be remade again and again. With these new technologies, there is potential to divert 13.6 billion pounds of waste from landfills each year and potentially double the plastics recycling rate in the U.S. by 2023. That is pretty impressive.
1 - 10 of 10
Showing 20▼ items per page