Essay 18 : DELTA Essay Writing Competition
Engineering Entrepreneurship in Nepal
by Laxmi Chapagain
BEX-074,ERC
Entrepreneurship is creating a business which can meet public demand and generates profits as well. A successful entrepreneurship is a win-win case as it creates job opportunities, gives birth to innovation and improves the economy as well. The electrical and electronics commodities which are not in use or have degraded their value after the diminishing of their useful life are defined as e –waste.In a nutshell, entrepreneurship in e-waste is defined as creating a business venture that can meet public demand using e-waste.
In Nepal , most of the e-waste are dumped at landfills with other trash and unfortunately Nepal lacks e-waste management laws. Electronic wastes like toner cartridges, mobile phones are challenging as they have negative recycling value and contain hazardous materials like mercury, lead, lithium , cadmium,etc. Similarly, toxic materials like Barium , chloride, flame retardants found in computers and most electronics have eco-toxicological nature. E-waste adversely affects human blood, kidneys, Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System. Due to the lack of sustainable solution for E-waste management the trend of e-waste generation in Nepal is exponential. According to study carried out by Nepal’s Department of Environment, Kathmandu alone discarded 18,000 metric tons of e-waste last year. Another survey earlier this year by KU, Subodh Luitel found that e-waste makes up almost 0.5% of total municipal waste in Kathmandu, which is close to global average. At the pace we are moving it is guaranteed to be a major crisis mentioned electronic waste management expert Keshav Parajuli at a workshop on E-waste in Kathmandu. Research says one average Nepali changes their mobile phones every 15 months and more than 6 million phones are imported every year. So this rapid increase in e-waste demands a sustainable solution before it becomes a matter of global concern. An entrepreneurial idea in this regard can be the greatest boon.
So, here we have an idea of collecting e-waste from different communities. The collected e-waste is first classified as reusable and non reusable waste. Let’s talk about non reusable e-waste. All non reusable waste is first dismantled and each and every parts dismantled are exported to their respective parent company so that the company can use those parts as their prerequisites for their products being manufactured. On the other hand, reusable waste is recycled by our technical experts which in return can contribute to generate our revenue.Similarly, e –waste with negative recycling value can be used to extract valuable metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, or gold. In this way e-waste can be managed.
Every opportunity comes with equal adversities. So, we might face a greater challenge in capital investment. We need a huge number of technical experts that can meet public demand on a long term basis. Similarly , means of transport for carrying e-waste can also be challenging as e-waste are eco-toxic.
In addition to these, the public must be aware of the reduction in use of electronic gadgets. For example:If some electronic gadgets are used rarely at our home we better rent those items rather than buying which in return reduces e-waste.Furthermore, more significant items can be invented from e-waste like Japan going to make world cup trophy in coming days. In conclusion, rapid change in technology, changes in media ( tapes, software, Music player), falling prices are resulting in fast growth of e-waste and we must manage e-waste before it becomes an issue of global concern.
Good one boss!!!
Thank you boss!!