Poisonous substances in electrical waste and their effects
Electrical and electronic waste contains large amounts of pollutants. These include recoverables, i.e. reusable materials, of which the lion's share comprises steel, aluminium and copper. Some plastics are reused, as are, of course, the precious metals in the equipment.
Some of the substances are dangerous if they come into contact with the air, water or soil. Moreover, some materials contain components which are dangerous and even carcinogenic. These include halogenated compounds such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in capacitors and transformers, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in cable insulation, lithium in batteries, cadmium in toners and printing cartridges, and selenium in photocopiers.
Swico Recycling uses the latest technological developments to dispose of 356 tonnes of pollutants each year from electrical and electronic waste.
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List of dangerous substances and their effects (PDF, 54 KB) |
