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When asked whether print or electronic communication leaves a greater negative impact on the environment, most people instinctively go with print. Even I thought that print was more problematic until I conducted research. While it is true that both print and electronic communication yield negative ecological footprints, I argue that electronic communication has a greater negative impact on the environment than print communication because electronic communication produces large amounts of electronic waste annually; electronic waste is rarely disposed of correctly, if at all; and because electronic communication relies on substantial deforestation and energy consumption.

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At first glance, digital communication appears to be more sustainable because a device can be used continuously for numerous purposes over many years. However, what people fail to consider is that electronic device production leaves a large carbon footprint that persists through the device’s life, as energy is required to power them (Moodie, 2014). E-waste, the carbon footprint left by electronic devices, has become a growing challenge as the quantity of discarded devices increases rapidly, with a global incline of 40 million tons per year (Moodie, 2014). Today, people are investing in devices more frequently, giving the devices a short lifespan. For example, in the United States, cellphones have a high turnover rate, as people tend to use their cell phones for about twelve to eighteen months before getting a new device, even when devices typically have a five-year lifespan (Pasternack, 2018). Out of every country in the world, the U.S. is responsible for making the most e-waste (PBS, 2016). Even more problematically, e-waste growth is increasing more rapidly in developing countries because large volumes of North American e-waste are being shipped overseas to informal recycling markets in countries such as India, China, Pakistan, the Philippians, and Vietnam (Lubell, 2018). These markets receive anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of the world’s e-waste (Lubell, 2018). In developing countries where devices are repurposed or deconstructed, the e-waste pollutes the rivers and soil, contributing to health concerns for the locals, such as cancer or damage to the nervous system (Pasternack, 2018). These consequences result because the devices consist of rare-earth metals, organic pollutants, and other potentially toxic substances and materials ​(​Poppenheimer​, 2013).

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Furthermore, is there any winning option when it comes to the aftermath of unwanted electronics? Even in cases where devices are recycled, hazards can occur from improper disposal (​Poppenheimer​, 2013). ​Sadly, most e-waste recycling is done by employees with little experience, safety gear, equipment, or proper facilities, making processes like this dangerous to both the people involved and the environment ​(​Poppenheimer​, 2013). ​For example, if an employee has improper equipment, they are subject to inhaling harmful toxins such as the fumes that are produced when plastic is burnt off of copper electrical wiring ​(Poppenheimer​, 2013). ​Improper disposal of e-waste negatively impacts the environment due to the toxins that pollute the soil, water, and atmosphere, affecting plants, wildlife, and humans ​(​Poppenheimer​, 2013).

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In some cases, people do not recycle their devices; rather, they store their unwanted devices away. The accumulation of these devices is also wasteful because of the embodied energy, mining factor, and recyclable material potential ​(​Poppenheimer​, 2013). When ​a device is left in storage, it is wasting its embodied energy because there are significant amounts of energy and resources put into the production to make and distribute them ​(​Poppenheimer​, 2013). It is a waste to put in a lot of energy and resources for a device to just not be used. ​To continue, e-waste still contains precious metals and rare earth metals. So, not properly recycling unwanted devices is an unsustainable choice, as more metals will need to be mined to produce future products (​Poppenheimer​, 2013). ​Lastly, saving e-waste keeps recyclable materials such as metal, glass, plastic, and other matter from being reused in new devices ​(​Poppenheimer​, 2013). ​Overall, digital communication is not sustainable due to the energy and resources that it takes to create and maintain devices that eventually end up having a short life span. However, when people become educated on the impacts of improper disposal or unnecessary storage of old devices, these negative consequences can be slightly reduced.

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The first thing that comes to mind when people think about print communication is deforestation, but what about the deforestation of trees for electronics? Electronic devices consume great amounts of energy that comes from coal-fired power plants that contribute to global warming ​(Charli, 2010). ​Mountaintop-removal coal mining results in deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollutants in headwater streams in the U.S. ​(Charli, 2010). ​The growing use of digital media has an extremely negative effect on forests and all bodies of water ​(Charli, 2010). On the other hand, although paper production involves deforestation, the paper is a sustainable and renewable resource in a way that electronics are not at this time ​(Two Sides, n.d.). ​According to the American Forest and Paper Association, more than 65 percent of the paper in the U.S. is recycled, making paper the nation’s most recyclable product (Moodie, 2014). Not only this, but the paper industry has several reputable certification strategies, such as the Forest Stewardship Council, which guarantees that the paper comes from a sustainable forest source (Moodie, 2014). These certifications help to ensure the longevity and sustainability of forests when it comes to paper in the printing industry. Conversely, there is no such thing in place for the electronic industry.

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Ultimately, although there are still environmental issues present when it comes to print communication, it appears to be a more sustainable option than electronic communication. As technological innovations continue to develop, new models of devices will continue to be sold and the older models will contribute to the amount of e-waste created each year. It is an unsustainable cycle devoting energy and resources to the creation of our devices and running our devices, only to leave them behind when newer models come out. As result, humans and the environment will continue to be faced with the consequences of this rapid consumerism. That is why it is crucial to spread awareness regarding the correct disposal of devices and to be conscious when investing in a new one. It is easy to assume that digital communication is more sustainable, as we tend to only think about the final product. But doing this is an overlooking of the impacts that our devices have, especially when we no longer want them.

 

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Sources:

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Carli, D. (2010, March 31). ​Is Digital Media Worse for the Environment Than Print?. 

Media Shift. http://mediashift.org/2010/03/is-digital-media-worse-for-the-environment-than-print090/

 

Lubell, I. (2018, March 30).​ 5 Reasons Why E-Waste Is A Problem. ​Mayer Alloys.

https://info.mayeralloys.com/ewaste-blog/5-reasons-why-e-waste-is-a-problem

 

Moodie, A. (2014, Feb 24). Is digital really greener than paper?​.The Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/digital-really-greener-paper-marketing

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Pasternack, A. (2018, Oct 11)​. The Environmental Costs (And Benefits) of Our Cell Phones.

Tree Hugger.

https://www.treehugger.com/the-environmental-costs-and-benefits-of-our-cell-phones-4858551

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Poppenheimer​, L. (2013, May 29)​. E-Waste Health Hazards and Environmental Impacts.

Green Groundswell.

https://greengroundswell.com/e-waste-health-hazards-and-environmental-impacts/2013/0 5/29/

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PBS. (2016, May 10).​ Where does America’s e-waste end up? GPS tracker tells all.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/america-e-waste-gps-tracker-tells-all-earthfix

 

Two Sides. (n.d.)​. Paper is one of the few truly sustainable products.

https://www.twosides.info/sustainable-products/