E-WASTE AND GREEN COMPUTING

There is no generally accepted definition of e-waste. But we can say that unwanted,
obsolete or unusable electronic products such as computers, computer peripherals, televisions,
VCRs, DVD Players, stereo equipment, hand cell phones are commonly referred to as ‘electronic
waste’.
Management and disposal of e-waste has become a serious problem among states
nationwide. The problem of electronic waste (e-waste) is growing at an unsustainable rate. E-waste
is now the fastest growing, and most toxic, component of municipal garbage. Local governments
are facing huge costs to handle e-waste, and even greater costs if they do not capture this toxic
stream and handle it in an appropriate manner.
E-Waste contains hazardous materials like lead which pose a potential long term human
health and environmental impacts. Ground Water especially is more likely to be polluted (note,
more than half the country reliant on ground water resources). Lead in the e-waste is a toxic
substance which may and cause lead poisoning and can be especially harmful for young children.
The piling up of E-waste is not only due to the electronic goods used in India but the
developed nations of the world export illegally their e-waste to India and other Asian countries.
These wastes are disposed of by uncontrolled burning and burying which are causing
environmental problems. The toxicity of some of the substance, eg mercury, cadmium also pose
grievous health problems.
Management and disposal options
• Due to increased public, regulatory and commercial scrutiny and also a commensurate
entrepreneur interest, there has been a diversion from energy intensive down cycling
processes to more mature processing systems.
• This has been largely achieved through reuse and refurbishing
• The government should strictly monitor and punish illegal importing of E-Waste to the
country.
Reuse
• Preventing waste in the first place is the preferred management option.
• This can be achieved through repairing, upgrading used electrical equipment.
• Example- adding memory to a computer, upgrading software.
Recycle
• Make use of take back programs
• Through recycling units are either reused or dismantled for recycling.
• The silver, gold, lead and other heavy metal are recyclable
Dispose
• The least preferred option is to landfill electronic waste.
• This should only come as a last option but care should be taken to consult with state
regulations on disposal of any hazardous waste.

Benefits of reuse (social and environmental)
• Diminished demand for new products and their commensurate requirement for virgin raw
material
• There is lessened need for water and energy for the associated manufacturing
• Less packaging per unit
• Availability of technology to wider swaths of society due to greater affordability of
products
• Saved landfill space
Each one of us has a role to play!
• Need for a e-waste policy and legislation
• Encourage and facilitate organized recycling systems
• Should subsidies recycling and disposal industries
• Collect fee from manufactured/consumers for the disposal of toxic material
• Incentive schemes for garbage collectors and general public for collecting and handling
over e-waste
• Awareness programme on e-waste for school children and general public
• Transparency and accountability to the public Handling large amounts of e-waste poses
risks of toxic contamination to workers and surrounding communities if conducted
carelessly.
• Thus, the most basic criterion that employees and citizens should rightfully expect from
any recycling operation is that it be open to public inspection.
• General compliance with occupational health and safety standards Observance of health
and safety standards in the workplace is important for protecting workers from exposure to
toxics whilst handling e-waste
• Well-trained workers, who are fully protected by the law to seek advice and take action to
protect their health and the environment without fear of reprisal from their employer, are
the most effective environmental protection.
• it is important that we create a national framework for the environmentally sound
management of e-waste including wide public awareness and education
• Conduct detailed inventories of e-waste
• Initiate pilot schemes on collection and sorting of e-wastes, including take back schemes
and schemes for repair refurbishment and recycling

HEALTH ISSUES

We sit in front of the computer looking into the screen without taking a break and blinking
eyelid. This hurts many parts of our body. Before the problems go out of hand and we may have to
say goodbye to using this machine, let us deal with it.
Problem Area: Lower back Pain
• Causes: Wrong type of chair or desk, Right chair an desk but wrong posture, Sitting on the
edge of the chair, sitting with all the weight on one buttock by sitting cross legged.
Corrective Measures: Always go for a chair that has a mechanism for lowering and
raising the height of the backrest. Never buy a computer chair that has arms rest.
Problem Area: Neck Pain
• Causes: While typing when one is moving the neck up and down, left and right too much it
causes neck pain. Use of wrong type of glasses (like bifocals), Height of screen. It may
sound strange to some of you but some people sit on the computer with mouthpiece of
phone hanging around their neck. This casual attitude is not cool at all!
Corrective Measures: A document holder is a must to restrict neck movement. Take
opticians advice and go for special glasses that you can use while in front of the computer.
Screen’s height should be adjusted parallel to eyesight – not too high and not too low.
Problem Area: Pain In Wrists & Fingers
• Causes: Height of the chair not adjusted properly. If you have bought the right chair you
might a well make use of it! Striking the keys too hard. Mouse is not close to the body.
Corrective Measures: Height of the chair should make a perfect L between the shoulder,
elbow and wrist. This ensures fingers and keys or mouse are at a perfect horizontal.
Clicking finger is also horizontal for that perfect wrist support. Mouse should be placed
right in front of the shoulder, close to our body.
Problem Area: Strain In the Eyes
• Causes: Glare from monitor, sun glare directly coming in straight on to the monitor from
windows, lighting arrangement of the room are some causes that put strain on the eyes.
Corrective Measures: The correct thing to do is to place the computer table between lights
and not directly under them. The best alternative is to switch off the overhead light and
switch on the angle poise lamp. Ask your optician to put slight tint coat on your glasses.
Adjust monitor’s contrast and brightness. Make sure the distance is right. Opt for a 17inch
SVGA or XGA screen.
Some Important Tips & Reminders
• Wrong chair or a chair not adjusted properly can result into knee, buttocks and shoulder
pain also. Get to know about posture breaks and wrist exercise. Room temperature also
plays an important part. Pain in the muscles may result into spasm if temperature of the
room you are working in is very low. To avoid dehydration work in a room with fewer
computers and people and avoid endless rounds of tea and coffee. Take to water. It won’t
turn you into fish! Keep everything you need like stationery, CDs etc at a distance that you
can reach without overstretching yourself each time. Drawers also should be easily
reachable and smooth to open.

INFORMATION OVERLOAD

Information overload refers to the addiction towards unlimited information available on the
internet. The addict in this case finds a craving for searching and reading information of his
interest on the internet. It often results in stress and anxiety related disorders. The term information
overload was first coined by the great futurist and writer Alwin Toffler in his book future shock.
According to Alwin Toffler, future shock is too much change in too short a period of time. The
concept of future shock revolves around the changes that are taking place with regard to
individuals and society. In this book, Toffler projects the concept of information overload as a
psychological disorder caused due to abundance of information availability.
The amount of information on the internet has been growing in leaps and bounds. Such a
great magnitude of information development and that too at such a rapid pace has led to an
information explosion of sorts. More and more number of internet users are becoming victims of
information overload as there are flooded with information sourced from a large numbers of web
sites, e-mails, blogs, reviews, messages, social networking sites etc. the consumption of such a
huge volume of information is increasingly becoming difficult for the users and thus causing
anxiety, irritation and stress. One of the best precautionary measures for protecting oneself from
information overload is to consume the information in a systematic and precise manner instead of
bulk consumption.

Helping a child or teen with an Internet addiction

If a child or teen is showing signs of Internet addiction, there are many things that you as a parent
can do to help.
1. Encourage other interests and social activities
2. Monitor computer use and set clear limits
3. Talk to your child about underlying issues

Managing Internet Addiction

The following are some tools to get your Internet use under control. While you can put
many of these in place yourself, make sure you get some outside support as well.
1. Identify any underlying reasons that need treatment.
Do you have any problems of depression, anxiety, problems with alcohol, drugs etc? this will
lead to cyber addiction and has to be treated.
2. Increase your coping skills
Sometimes spending a lot of time on the Internet is a method of managing stress or angry
feelings. A person may have trouble relating to others, or feeling excessively shy or feeling
that he can never understand people in real life. Building communication skills and
interpersonal skills will help such a person to remove stress and strains from his daily life.
3. Strengthen the relationships
Use of Internet for social interaction can be reduced by building strong relationship in real life.
Keep aside little time each week for spouse or other family. If you are shy, try finding common
interest groups such as an exercise class or book reading club. This allows you to interact with
others in a non-threatening way and allows relationships to naturally develop.

Risk factors for Internet addiction

There are some risk factors that have been identified with Internet addiction
1. Anxiety
One may use the internet to divert himself from his worries and fears. An anxiety disorder
like obsessive-compulsive disorder may also contribute to excessive email checking and
compulsive internet use.
2. Depression
The internet can be an escape from feelings of depression, but too much time online can
make things worse. Internet addiction further contributes to isolation and depression.
3. Other addictions
Many internet addicts suffer from other addictions like drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex.
4. Lack of social support
Internet addicts often use chat rooms, online messaging, or gaming as a safe way of
establishing new relationships and more confidently relate to others.
5. Teenagers
Teenagers may feel that internet is a wonder world and it might feel more comfortable than
real life friends.

CYBER ADDICTIONS

The Internet helps us to connect with literally hundreds of people on social networking
sites like My Space, Face book, or Twitter. Email, online chat and message boards allow for both
public and anonymous communication about almost any topic imaginable, down to the smallest
detail. We all enjoy the benefits of the internet, and for many it is an indispensable tool for work as
well.
The concept of compulsive internet use is relatively new and is not yet formally recognized
as a psychological disorder, although research is underway in this area. However, there is increasing
evidence that for some people, compulsive internet use interferes with daily life, work and
relationships.

So what is healthy and unhealthy internet use? There is no easy answer because each
persons internet use is so different. Spending a lot of time online is not necessarily a problem. But
if we are neglecting our relationships, our work or other important things in our life, then we may
have a problem with internet addiction.

Signs and symptoms of cyber addiction
Sings and symptoms of compulsive Internet use may vary from person to person. But there
are some general warning signs that your Internet use has become a problem.
1. Losing track of time online.
If a person frequently finds himself on the Internet longer than he wish or his Internet use
of a few minutes turn into a few hours or he finds himself running late to appointments, college or
work because of too much time spent online are some of the clear indications of cyber addiction.
2. Having trouble completing tasks at work or home
If a person faces the problem of working late more and more because he can’t complete his
work on time-then staying even longer when everyone else has gone home is also a sign of internet
addiction.
3. Isolation from family and friends
Social life may suffer because of all the time one may spend online. They even neglect
their family and feels like there are no one in his real life.
4. Feeling guilty or defensive about your Internet use
Feeling guilty or defensive about internet use is another sign of internet addiction. Are you
sick of your spouse irritating you to get off the computer and spend some time together? Do you
hide your internet use or lie about how much time you spend online?