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Information Technology

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Introduction

Information age or computer age

Information technology

Business value

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Facts

US alone exports 80% of itse-waste to China, Indiaand Pakistan

India generate 8 lakh tonnesof e-waste every year= 110 million laptops

Large e-waste centres existin Delhi, Meerut, Ferozabad,Chennai, Bangalore andMumbai

Bangalore alone generates400,000 batteries as e-wasteevery month.

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Positive aspects of IT Reduction in consumption of paper

Use of digital database

Uses of e-books

Less letters more calls, SMSs and e-mails

Less greeting cards more online and textwishes

Reduction of use of writing and printing inks

Reduction in transportation

data transfer through e-mails, FAX, telephonesand cell phones

shopping through e-marts

banking through e-banking and ATMs

use of TELEMEDICINE

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compact space, reduction incutting of trees

Monitoring and controlling

changes in the Earthsenvironment through satellites

Spreading awareness regarding

environment by using television,internet, radio channels andmessages.

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Negative aspects of IT

Computers :

Every single computer requires about 1.8 tonnes of

chemicals, fossil fuels and water for its manufacture.

Emission of about 0.1 tonne of carbon dioxide in ayear.

2 per cent of worlds total carbon dioxide emissions

Global warming

Dumping of old computers in landfills

Soil pollution

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Electronic and electrical devices in IT

E- Waste from IT

Discarded electronic or electrical devices ortheir parts Such as Discarded Computers,

Televisions, Monitors, Laptops, Cell Phones,

VCRs, Stereos, Copiers, Fax machines.

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The cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which containsignificant amounts of lead.

Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are illuminated

by mercury-filled panels. Circuitry contain chromium, copper, and lead

that exceed regulatory limits.

The batteries contain such as lead, nickel,cadmium, silver, lithium, and other dangerousmetals.

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Mobile Towers

Mobile radiation:

Effects on environment Farm animals - Dairy cows

Decreased milk production

spontaneous abortions

reproductive problems

general declines in overall health.

Sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits living near base stationsaffected.

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Effects on environment Birds Interfere withnavigation, reproduction, thin shells.

London - 75% fall sparrow population, fall in

Pigeons, swans, white stork, rock dove.Effects on Honey bees Colony Collapse Disorder

(CCD):

oAbrupt disappearance of bees.

oCannot find their way back to hive due disruption inintercellular communication.

oCCD has hit US (up to 70 %), England (54% fall),Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Scotland,Wales, Kerala etc.

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TCS

Waste Management Policy:

Being an IT-centric organization, contributes majorly

to global electronic waste. Reaffirming our

commitment to environmental protection, and in

accordance with the stringent standards we set

ourselves, the e Waste Management Policy reflects our

objectives and practices toward this end

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TCS efforts

Reduction of waste at source

Reuse of material wherever possible

Recycling Purchasing products with recycled content

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Case

An electronics recycling company and its two

top executives were convicted of lying to

customers.docx

http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/An%20electronics%20recycling%20company%20and%20its%20two%20top%20executives%20were%20convicted%20of%20lying%20to%20customers.docxhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/An%20electronics%20recycling%20company%20and%20its%20two%20top%20executives%20were%20convicted%20of%20lying%20to%20customers.docxhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/An%20electronics%20recycling%20company%20and%20its%20two%20top%20executives%20were%20convicted%20of%20lying%20to%20customers.docxhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/An%20electronics%20recycling%20company%20and%20its%20two%20top%20executives%20were%20convicted%20of%20lying%20to%20customers.docxhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/An%20electronics%20recycling%20company%20and%20its%20two%20top%20executives%20were%20convicted%20of%20lying%20to%20customers.docxhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_2/An%20electronics%20recycling%20company%20and%20its%20two%20top%20executives%20were%20convicted%20of%20lying%20to%20customers.docx

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Eco Reco

Protect the health and safety of our employees,customers, vendors, visitors & public.

Avoid damage to the environment.

Monitor and continually improve quality of ourservices & processes for the betterment of society.

Identify hazards, analyze their impact in QHSEperformance and implement controls to reduce risk,minimizing losses or damage to people, environment,equipment, products and assets.

Comply with applicable legislation and regulations inthe locations where we operate.

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Eco Reco

Twin-shaft shredder

Magnetic band

Metal Extraction Data destruction vehicle

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Recommendations

The IT related industries (esp. the

manufacturing ones) should reduce the use of

toxic substances in products.

Recycling plants and collection centres should

be set up .

Do not DESIGN TO Dump ! Instead, DESIGN TO

LAST !!!

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Conclusion

While computers and monitors are considered anecessity in developed societies, the wastestream generated from obsolete electronicsis detrimental to both local ecosystems and the

global environment.

Policy decisions and market mechanismsdesigned to deal with the growth of this sector

can help dealing with the associatedconsequences ofe-waste, but it does nothing toaddress the root cause of the problem, namely,the growth itself.