Pollution

=Pollution=

Pollution of the environment occurs through the solid, liquid and gaseous by-products of industry.
 * Solid waste ends up in landfill and the costs to industry of storage, transport and disposal are quite substantial.
 * Liquid waste (effluent) contaminates waterways and has ecological consequences on wildlife and the health of the surrounding communities.
 * Air pollution from emissions affects the health of communities, depletes the ozone layer and reduces air quality in a region.

Environmental Protection Authority
The NSW Environment Department was set up by the Government to:
 * set regulations, policies and guidelines in order to minimise pollution and its effects
 * implement those policies
 * monitor pollution levels
 * prosecute organisations for breaches of environmental laws.

Industry needs to implement measures and work practices that minimise waste and control pollution levels. One of the largest issues in the multimedia industry today is that of pollution and e-waste. While many companies have taken steps to reduce their e-waste they still have a long way to go.

//“Waste from discarded electronics will rise dramatically in the developing world within a decade, with computer waste in India alone to grow by 500 percent from 2007 levels by 2020, a U.N. study released Monday said.”// //(Feb 22, 2010, Reuters)//

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“//A report released in Bali on Monday (PDF) by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) predicted that by 2020, e-waste from computers would grow by up to 400 percent from 2007 levels in China and South Africa.”// ======

**Pollution and Recycling**
Below is a fantastic document put together by the //**United Nations Environment Programme**//. If you want to get a real understanding of how multimedia is effecting the global community have a read. Can I suggest that as a minimum you read the following pages:1 Introduction, 2 Fundamentals of e-waste recycling 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 3.1.1.2 ICT appliances. Great info in here that would help with the homework!

(Click here for document)