Mining releases toxins into the environment (mining gold releases cyanide/mercury)
The mines that harvest metals create masses of unwanted waste, which alters landscapes and damages ecosystems
Disposal of Computer
Transportation and Shipping
Manufacturing
Material Processing and Production
Mining Materials For Computer
Usage of Computer
Fossil fuels, toxins, & chemicals used repeatedly to process materials/manufacture
Remaining waste, including tons of used chemicals/toxins, dumped into landfills
Chemical pollutants are released into air
Toxins and chemicals may dissolve into water during cleaning, which may leak into water bodies
Transportation uses fossil fuels
Valuables require packaging for protection, which may be excessive & non-recyclable
Computers use lots of energy in both processing power and keeping the machine cold. This power could be received from non-renewable sources.
Many people don't know how to/don't recycle electronics properly
Some electronic parts don't biodegrade properly
Some electronic parts can release toxins into water bodies (rivers/lakes)
Air Pollution
Land Pollution
Water Pollution
Pollutes soil, which leads to toxic chemicals being absorbed by plants, affecting their ability to absorb CO2 and eventually killing them. Herbivories that eat these poisoned plants are also poisoned, and these chemicals go up the food chain.
Air pollution damages animal's respiratory systems, leading to weak immune systems. Depending on the severity of the air pollution, it could lead to disruption of endocrine function, organ injury, increased vulnerability to stresses and diseases, lower reproductive success, and possible death. Air pollution also affects plants by entering the plant while it absorbs CO2, and affecting the functions of the plant.
Water pollution damages aquatic wildlife, as well as the land wildlife that uses this water. The chemicals that the water is polluted affected animals by hurting their digestive system and damaging their body parts. Plant roots absorb these chemicals, damaging and eventually killing the plant.