A new UN report indicates that discarded electronic equipment such as computers and mobile phones represent a major threat to the environment and public health.
The report, compiled by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) calls for the formulation of new regulations to ensure that electronic waste is recycled in a conscientious manner.
The call coincides with the meeting on Monday the board of UNEP in Bali, Indonesia.
The booming electronics industry has had negative implications, especially in developing countries, where efforts to recycle phones, computers and televisions do not meet the large sales volumes.
The UN environmental agency estimates that electronic waste, or trash-e, is growing at a rate of 40 million tonnes a year.
Mountains of garbage and
In countries like India and China is estimated that only waste generated by discarded computers 500% increase over the next decade.
Electronic devices contain metals and some potentially toxic elements, so recycling is complicated.
But in many countries, including China, these wastes are incinerated in landfills, emitting poisonous gases into the atmosphere.
Mexico and Brazil are also among the countries facing growing mountains of electronic scrap.
UN warns that without immediate action to ensure the collection and safe disposal of these wastes, many countries will be flooded with electronic waste that will have serious consequences for public health.
The report calls for establishing formal processes for handling regulated garbage and recycling-e.
UNEP recognizes that this program would be expensive to introduce, but, ultimately, generate employment, recover precious metals like gold and silver contained in electronic and contribute to a clean and healthy environment.
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