People that are involved in scavenging are called Dumpsters. They have different attitudes towards foods and goods compared to ordinary people. Those people live depending on what others throw away and no longer need in their households. Dumpsters also have a set of rules and recommendations on what products are safe to consume, when the most fruitful periods are, and in what places food can be found regularly. They also have a philosophical view on scavenging and consuming food from the rubbish bins. However, it does not emerge eventually, each Dumpster has to pass through several stages to take full advantage of this activity.
Learning what is safe to eat constitutes the basic golden rule of any Dumpster that scavenges on a regular basis. First, such products as crackers, candies, cookies, raw fruits, and vegetables form a nutrient ratio. Second, some restaurants and cafes throw away the courses that were either prepared not according to the customer’s requirements or got cold before the actual delivery. To eat safely, any Dumpster is obliged to use senses and common sense to evaluate the condition of food (Eighner, 1992). Anyway, even the most careful and attentive scavengers regularly experience dysentery.
Overall, Dumpsters are peculiar as they adhere to specific lifestyles and philosophies. The first aspect concerns analysis of the most fruitful periods for scavenging – academic calendar and business hours usually predict the total haul. Another facet is associated with Dumpsters’ attitudes towards the things found – every object has its value and may be useful at a definite period, so a warm blanket found in summer must be captured and utilized in winter. Once Dumpsters do not need a thing, they also throw it away, but they are less wasteful consumers than the previous owners. To become a true Dumpster and take advantage of it, one needs to pass through scavenge and disgust, learning how to find and collect appropriate products.
Reference
Eighner, L. (1992). On Dumpster Diving. New England Journal of Public Policy, 8(1), 87-95.
Globalization process has had several impacts on the social economic and political spheres. The effects of globalization have really been debated on by several scholars and other interest groups who have always questioned its effects on the human beings and the environment at large. For example some people have always argued that it has done more harm than good to the developing countries, while others also contend that it has enabled the developing countries advance socially, politically and also economically.
Bauman’s Arguments on Wasted Lives
Zygmunt Bauman is one of those people who have made critical analysis of globalization. According to him, globalization has led to a lot of trouble to human beings. The following are his arguments about globalization. Globalization has been discussed so much in the current political discourses but very little has been done by various stakeholders to formulate laws that can govern it.
Increasing Cases of International Crimes
Criminal cases are increasingly becoming international yet there are no effective laws to curb its spread. Criminals have become very difficult to deal with simply because they have got a lot of resources which they use to protect themselves from penalties. The government has since resorted to dealing with minor cases involving immigrants who engage in petty offences such as violence and petty theft. In addition to this, the global environment gives the criminals a chance to interact freely and do business just like ordinary citizens and this has also been attributed to lack of effective international laws.
The international laws that are used to govern globalization have been extensively abused by various countries especially the developed ones who have always used it as an avenue to defend their inhuman actions against the developing countries. The international community has also failed to deal with its obligations. They tend to shy away from the complicated problems and issues but they instead focus on the things they can achieve easily in order to disguise people that they are indeed working had to save human beings.
Refugee Problem in Developed Countries
Many people from developing countries have always found there way to the developed countries like USA through government support. This has always been done without the consultation of the people who are likely to be directly affected by the influx of immigrants in their country.
The process of colonization also led to the division of the world into various artificial territorial boundaries. Apart from this, a lot of wealth was drawn from the countries which were colonized by the European countries. This led to such countries remaining economically poor while the European countries developed.
The post colonial period saw several attempts by the liberated countries to transform themselves from colonial domination to self governance. In the process of transformation, they also developed security measures to curb international crime. The manner this has been done in most African countries is questionable. For example security is always tight at the international entrance and exit routes like air ports while the local boarders remain porous and people can easily sneak in illegal things into a given country.
Global Pollution
Pollution has currently taken a global dimension in which there is pollution in every part of the world. Human waste has been noted to be on the increase and it has actually reached its optimum level. Developing countries in Africa have not been spared because they also received modernity which produces these wastes. They however lack the capacity to handle these wastes. African countries have been faced by many challenges especially poverty and civil wars.
The Europeans have dominated the investments in Africa hence Africans cannot compete with them favorably in trade. This has led to massive unemployment. Civil wars, terrorism and rebels have strained the economies of some developing countries. The developing countries have been seen to be only excelling in the production of refugees. It has been realized that most of developing countries create problems for themselves locally and then they seek international assistance.
Challenges Faced by Refugees
Refugees who migrate to USA have always faced many challenges and they always lack the chance to be fully integrated into the new world. They have always been seen as human wastes that cannot bring any positive change. Since the dumping places are now over stretched due to a high production of human waste, the refugees are now left to stay in squalid conditions in their territories.
The humanitarians who have always claimed to be main people helping refugees have also done nothing good to help them improve their status. By simply removing them away from the rebels they are actually assisting the rebels to continue being extremists. They should negotiate with the rebels in order to provide a long term solution to the conflicts.
The government of USA has not been keen to help the black population in America and it has always used their residential places as one of their dumping places. Areas inhabited by many blacks are being subjected to a lot of inhuman treatment. For example security measures have been very tight in their towns not because they are being protected but just to ensure that they do not engage in criminal activities.
There is a general suspicion that the black communities in US are criminals and the government is doing everything possible to quarantine the movement of the black youths who it believes can breach security. The schools accessed by most of the blacks can only be compared to correctional facilities. The education offered to them cannot help them to achieve any thing good in life. Many prisons are being constructed at the expense of providing better services to the community.
Economic Development
Many countries trying to develop their economies have always looked for guidance from USA but this has not been successful. Even the US government has faced several economic challenges which it is grappling with. The countries that seek financial assistance from them are always given the assistance with several conditions attached to them.
This has been used as a mechanism to continue exploiting the developing countries. For example the loans and grants from the developed countries are always very expensive for most of the developing countries to service.
Changing Global Relationships
For several years the global relationship among various countries has revolved around commercial activities. This mutual relationship is slowly taking a new dimension and various countries are now ganging against each other for the purpose of military confrontation.
Terrorism is also increasing and some countries have been seen to favor its course by funding the rebels. It has also been realized that most of the conflicts that we currently have between some countries have been championed by external forces. Various governments have also failed to honor the law and this has led to many inter tribal wars in many developing countries.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it is clear that globalization has continued to extend the European hegemony in the developing countries and they simply treat Africans as wasted human beings. The only way Africans can solve these problems is through finding domestic solutions to their problems.
Works Cited
Bauman, Zygmunt. Wasted lives: modernity and its outcasts. New York: Polity, 2004.
Electronics waste dumping refers to the practice of informal processing of old-fashioned or damaged electronic devices. This practice has caused several environmental concerns, implying that there is a need for developing appropriate electronic waste dumping strategies. Electronic waste dumping is a growing trend in China that needs urgent intervention strategies.
Chinese environmentalists are currently raising their concerns regarding the large amounts of electronic waste in the country, which are as a result of developed countries disposing electronic waste to the developing countries (Minter 25). A study conducted during 2002 reported that 80 percent of the high tech electronic wastes are disposed of in Asia, with approximately 90 percent landing in China, which is flown to family workshops.
This poses various health and environmental risks among the Chinese, who attempt to disassemble the waste yet they contain various toxic elements such as lead and mercury. The situation is further worsened by the fact that they have little or no protective clothing, which in turn increases their risks of exposure towards toxic elements.
This research paper analyses the problem of electronic waste dumping in China and the possible solutions that can be implemented to curb this problem.
The problem of electronic waste dumping China
There are numerous contributing factors that result in increased amounts of surplus electronic waste in China. Universal factors such as speedy technological changes and a decrease in prices of electronic components, rapid changes in media and obsolescence that has been planned play an integral role in increasing the amount of e-waste in China.
Even though there are technical solutions that can be implemented to curb this expanding problem in China, it has been significantly constrained by the country’s legal framework, logistical problems, and the collection systems. According to a study conducted by the United Nations Environmental Program, only 15-20 percent of electronic wastes are recycled.
Also, the report estimated that the amount of electronic waste could increase up to approximately 500 percent in countries such as China and India in the following decade (Hicks 465). The magnitude of this problem cannot be underestimated due to the fact that the country remains a destination for electronic waste dumping from most of the developed countries such as the United States (Minter 25).
Electronic waste dumping in China is also likely to be accelerated by external factors such as the new laws that aim at the regulation of production of electronic goods within Europe and other parts of the developed nations. The outcome of this is that there will be an electronic waste smuggling to China.
This is due to the facts that the EU directive states that the producers must meet the costs associated with the collection, recycling, treatment and disposing of the electronic waste in a manner that is environmentally sound (Minter 25).
Another issue that worsens the problem of electronic waste dumping in China is that the recycling of electronic waste is labor intensive, and this has fostered the establishment of a black market concerning the dumping of electronic waste. Perpetrators of such practice are making use of the cheap and skilled labor force that is readily available in China.
Most of the electronic wastes are normally transported to Hong Kong in shipping containers stating that they are due for recycling, after which they are smuggled to other areas inland. Electronic waste is a huge profit business for the local government authorities; implying most usually ignore the practice, which in turn passively encourages the practice (Hicks 460).
Apart from electronic waste dumping by developed countries, the domestic e-waste dumping in the country is also raising concern. There is an increasing demand for electrical equipment within the country, and this implies that the quantities of electronic waste will increase if appropriate e-waste management strategies are not put in place to address this issue.
China itself has produced about 1.1 million tons of electronic waste yearly from 2003. Specifically, statistics report that there have been 5 million Television sets, 4 million refrigeration equipment, 5 million washing equipment, 5 million computer systems and an uncountable number of mobile phones (Minter 25). These amounts are bound to increase because computer users are ever increasing.
Irrespective of the potential environmental dangers posed by electronic waste, experts are of the view that electronic waste can be used as a potential resource of recycled material to meet the natural resource constraints that the country faces.
Their basic argument is that electronic waste devices normally contain materials such as reclaimable metals, which can be properly treated and reused effectively (Hicks 465). This can be overlooked by the fact that present recycling practices are harmful to the environment compared to the electronic waste itself. Elements that cannot be recycled are usually subjected to open combustion, which in turn contaminates the environment.
Management of electronic waste in China
There are various electronic waste management strategies that can be deployed in China to effectively address this expanding problem. The basic argument is that the problem of electronic waste in China cannot only be solved through the acquisition of effective recycling equipment from the developed nations (Minter 25).
The fact is that China lacks appropriate recycling technology but has rich labor to facilitate the practice; this implies that the country should develop a recycling strategy that is appropriate in the present situation. This should aim at guaranteeing the safety of the treatment process and the disassembly process.
Also, the recycling strategy should take into consideration the environmental conservation and the health hazards of the recycling personnel. Such an approach needs a complete overhaul of the labor structure in China and increased enforcement of the environmental compliance policies.
A suggested solution to this expanding problem is to adopt effective practices that meet international recycling standards and facilitate the reuse of electronic equipment. This can only be achieved if the recycling strategy shifts from the conventional end-of-pipe recycling treatment approach towards the adoption of a recycling strategy that prioritizes the prevention of environmental pollution (Minter 25).
Also, effective strategies should be put in place to monitor the manufacturing and the consumption of electronic devices. There is a need to have wide-ranging policies and measures that put more priority on the economic incentive and the aspect of market treatment. Generally, this can be achieved through the use of a public awareness campaign and their participation.
Consumer awareness should aim at enlightening of the dangers of electronic waste and motivate consumers to practice recycling rather than electronic dumping. The second suggested a solution to this problem is through the improvement of the Chinese legal system that deals with the recycling and reusing of electronic equipment. A basic strategy that should be implemented is that all the recycling and reusing of e-waste should meet the requirements stated under the 3R principle (Minter 25).
Also, national laws and regulations should be established that are directed towards the dumping of electronic waste. This should be accompanied by the use of technical guidelines and standards that must be followed to ensure there is effective management of electronic waste in the country.
The third suggestion to help curb the problem of electronic dumping in China is to establish a legal system in the country that outlines the responsibility of the stakeholders concerning recycling and reuse of electronic equipment. This involves the precise definition and outlining the scope of electronic products.
Allocating the responsibilities for the government and respective stakeholders of the role in ensuring that there are minimal cases of electronic dumping. Some of the involved parties could include the consumers, manufacturers and the importer (Hicks 465). Policies have to be implemented to ensure that each involved party plays a role in electronic waste management.
Conclusion
It is arguably evident that China lacks comprehensive legislation that can be used to effectively manage the recycling and reuse of electronic equipment. Also, the available policies are ineffective in addressing the core causation factors that are responsible for increasing amounts of electronic waste (Minter 25).
Therefore, effective strategies in addressing the problem should focus on effective recycling and reuse strategies and avoiding the accumulation of e-waste in the country. This can be achieved through consumer awareness, effective policies that ban the importation of electronic waste and effective recycling and reuse policies.
Works Cited
Hicks, Dietmara. “The recycling and disposal of electrical and electronic waste in China legislative and market responses.” Environmental Impact Assessment Review (2005): 459-571.
Minter, Adam. “Shanghai Scrap.” The Atlantic (2011): 25.
Illegal dumping refers to any form of indecent disposal of this waste material. Disposal of waste becomes improper when done in a place that is not legitimate, like a landfill. Illegal dumping occurs in open places including road sides, rivers, lakes and state parks. This kind of dumping poses a risk to human health and the environment, and involves non-hazardous material, which is dumped by persons who do not wish to dispose properly, or pay the disposal fee.
Background:
All industries generate wastes that are usually hazardous. The improper disposal of hazardous wastes is harmful to the environment, in that it contaminates ground and surface water supplies. This leads to contamination of drinking water, which is harmful to both human health and aquatic life. Research has indicated that some health problems can be magnified by environmental pollution. Such health problems include brain disorder for children, autism, prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Discussion:
Illegal dumping occurs in places that are accessible to people including children, which increases the risk of harm, from contact with the chemicals. Industries are blamed for threatening the environment and causing harm to lives through their improper disposal of dangerous chemicals, and many people believe that they should be made accountable.
One of the problems with illegal dumping is the blockage of run-off water in the event of heavy downpour. This may result to flooding, due to blocked drainage channels. On the other hand, if the water were to pass through the waste, it would contaminate the waterways, posing great harm to the health of humans with access to such water. In addition to this, some solid wastes trap water, which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, therefore increasing the health risk.
One of the consequences of illegal dumping is the loss of aesthetic value of a community. This in turn causes a reduction in the cost of property, as well as reduced community pride and revenue. Revenue is lost since improperly disposed wastes cannot be sorted for recycling, and all the waste ends up being dumped in a land fill. This way, revenue could be generated in recycling, and no expense would be incurred in proper disposal of the wastes.
Conclusion:
Industries that do not dispose their wastes properly are fined, though this is inadequate in solving the problem. Most of these companies prefer to pay the fine as opposed to using the services of industrial cleaning services providers.
Illegal dumpers can be prosecuted by the state through either the Solid Waste Policy and Management Act, or the Litter Control Act. The Department of Health and Environmental Control is also involved in investigating open damping, where the penalty can be a fine or jail sentence. The cleaning up of these sites is charged to the perpetrator or owner of the property.
Recommendations:
Sensitizing the companies to the environment is one approach that can help reduce improper damping of hazardous wastes. Through this, the companies can be encouraged to adopt the services of companies that specialize in disposal of environmental hazardous wastes. The sensitizing is meant to enable these companies to overlook the huge cost of proper and legal disposal methods, in return for preserving the environment, and preserving human life.
Illegal dumping is not only by industries, but also in communities. Educating the community and enforcement of regulations can help to reduce improper disposal of rubbish. Councils on the other hand can introduce scheduled clean-ups and waste disposal facilities for residents to dispose of unwanted materials.