E-waste and environmental pollution is a global problem. The United Nations suggests that global e-waste is set to exceed 40 million tones per year. There are an estimated 9.2 million computers in use in Australia with further 2.1 million computers in 2006, while 3 million will reach the end of their life. This equates to thousands of tones of 'e-waste' from obsolete computers along with broken monitors, used toner and ink cartridges, modems, printers and a range of other peripherals and consumables. The Basel Convention is an international treaty which prohibits the movement of e-waste between countries.
End of product life recycling is highly polluting, non-cost effective and unregulated in many countries. The burden of e-waste not only pollutes the land-fill it is having serious health implications due to chemical leaching into the water table, eventually making its way to agricultural produce and into people. Griffith University is a member of StEP.