Electronic waste or E-waste is an emerging problem due to rapid obsolescence of consumer electronic items worldwide. Over these past ten years, consumer demand for items such as computers, mobile phones, televisions and other electronic devices has been phenomenal and is still growing at a rapid rate. Every year 20 to 50 millions tonnes of E-waste is generated worldwide.
Given the high toxicity of components, when burned or recycled in uncontrolled environments, e-Waste results in significant damage to human health and the environment. Our modern society must now find ways of safely and economically managing these waste streams, which requires significant investment by governments, industry and individuals in technology and education.
This website is dedicated to finding suitable solutions to our ever growing problem of E-waste. Griffith University is a leader in E-waste research and undertakes work through the University's Centre for Environmental Systems Research
Griffith University is a member of StEP, an initiative founded by various UN organisations and coordinated by the United Nations University. StEP's overall aim is to develop strategies to solve the e-waste problem based on a sound scientific basis. Visit the StEP website.
E-waste 2010 - The 1st Asia Pacific conference and StEP workshop on e-waste
News
Griffith becomes United Nations advisor on waste
Queensland's local authorities are to receive improved waste management advice
following Griffith University's appointment as the Australia and New Zealand sub-regional
secretariat of a United Nations global partnership on waste management.