Global Warming and Environmental Science

Biography

Biography: John Shegerian

Abstract

Effective recycling of e-waste – and all the elements extracted from it – is crucial for the environment in terms of reduced the leaching of toxins into landfills.  When done correctly, it can also reduce millions of pounds of CO2 emissions; reduce millions of pounds of water emissions; billions of killowatt hours of electricity; and millions of pounds of air emissions. New innovations have led to the recycling of e-waste playing a key role in th ecircular economy – leading to historically challenging elements such as plastics, glass and metals providing foundational ingredients for new useful products. But there is another element that must be extracted carefully and destroyed in this process and that is data.  As electronic devices become smaller, enormous amounts of sensitive and personal data are stored on eben the tiniest of devices. Due to this, the recycling of electronics faces a huge obstacle in the form of digital privacy. Many organizations – huge multinational corporations and global government agencies included – are reluctant to recycle their electronics for fear that their private or personal data will be compromised. And the fears are not without merit.  The recycling of e-waste has indeed become an issue that transcends environmental responsibility – still the principle motivation - and has moved into the realm of national security and data protection.

In this informative presentation, John Shegerian will discuss how the electronic recycling industry is at a crossroads of dual responsibility – reducing emissions/keeping toxins out of landfills WHILE also responsibly and efficiently achieving data destruction. It can be done and he’ll explain how.

Among the issues he will address are: Responsible recycling and its role in reducing emissions and the emergence of the circular economy.  The environmental issues to be considered globally;Why data needs to be managed in the recycling of e-waste