Electronic waste or E-waste refers to discarded products that use electricity. Unlike waste, e-waste is recyclable as many of its parts is made of reusable materials. When disposed of, e-waste either will find itself in a landfill, where it is insinuated, left to decay with other waste, or is recycled for reuse.

E-waste is quickly becoming a problem as the number of people buying electronics continues to grow. Because electronic components are made from a combination of toxic and non-toxic metals, e-waste constitutes a threat to the environment. Incineration of electronics causes severe damage by making the toxins found in certain metals like lead and mercury to become airborne and can enter the soil, ground water, and people.

---

Other Sources

“E-Waste Definition.” ewasteguide.com. http://ewasteguide.info/e_waste_definition. Accessed May 16, 2016.

“What is E-Waste?” Recycle Force. http://www.recycleforce.org/recycling-services/e-waste. Accessed May 16, 2016.

An Endpoint is the last place your Refuse ends up before it is combined with the Refuse from other program divisions within your organization, or before it is taken away by your Hauler. If you have divided up your program divisions by building, then typically the commercial container collects Refuse at the "back of the building" so that it can be easily accessed when it is picked up to be transported, this will be your Endpoint.

In the event that you have divided your program divisions into areas smaller than an entire building, then your Endpoint will likely be the transportation cart (or even a centralized station). For example, if you have divided your program division up by floors in an office building, your Endpoint will likely be the transportation cart for that floor. When conducting a Composition Audit, you should audit this Refuse prior to it being combined with the Refuse from other floors.

Earth Day is an event held every year on April 22 in appreciation of the environment. It's purpose is to educate society on environmental issues that are affecting the Earth such as pollution, climate change and the protection of the Earth’s natural resources. Originally a grassroots movement in the United States, Earth Day has grown into a worldwide movement with 175 countries joining the call for better care of the planet.

During the 1950s and 1960s, there was little regulation to how refuse was dealt with and industrial pollution. Most of American society was unaware of the impact their actions were having on the environment. The ignorance of pollution’s consequences came to an end in 1962 with the publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, whose research showed a link between the public health and the environmental damage caused by pollution.

The idea of a national day dedicated to environmental awareness was formulated by a U. S. Senator from Wisconsin named Gaylord Nelson. Inspired by the anti-war movement and witnessing himself the environmental damages caused by the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, Nelson wanted to combine the passion of anti-war protests with the growing awareness about pollution to bring the need for environmental protection to the political forefront. With the aid of Congressman Pete McCloskey and Harvard graduate Denis Hayes, Nelson was able to spread the word for a national day of environmental awareness on April 22, 1970.

The success of Earth Day on April 22, 1970 led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, laws aimed at environmental protection. In 1990, Earth Day became global with 200 million people and 141 countries participating. Today, Earth Day continues to call for environmental protection with and for policies to combat these issues.

---

Other Sources

Bradford, Alina. “Earth Day: Facts & History.” Live Science. http://www.livescience.com/50556-earth-day-facts-history.html. Accessed August 3, 2016.

Earth Day Network. “History of Earth Day.” Earth Day Network. http://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/. Accessed August 3, 2016.

Ecological Anthropology is the study of the role of culture in humanity’s interaction with ecosystems. The theory is that humans shape the environment they live in while the shapes the culture of that population. While a population may not interact with the entire environment, there are certain aspects of the area that it will occupy as a habitat.

For example, humans who were hunter-gatherers would differ from a population that took to farming as a form of life. The hunting-gathering would be nomadic, traveling in small groups, developing technologies for hunting, and forming temporary homes as they hunted animals and gathered plants that grew along the way. Also, these nomadic groups would have to be flexible to search for resources continually. A farming population would rely on a rural region; their land would be used for cultivating crops and raising livestock. Those farmers would remain on land for extended periods of time before moving to develop a new area. These two populations would be influenced by the availability of resources in the ecosystem and would have to develop methods of survival based on their environment.

---

Other Sources

Bernard, Alan and Johnathan Spencer. “Ecological Anthropology.” In Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology. London: Routledge. 2003.

The Ecological Footprint is an illustration that is used to measure a number of resources needed for consumption and to absorb waste. It can be measured not only individuals but also cities, businesses, or countries. The Ecological Footprint has proven useful for governments and organizations in measuring and managing resources sustainably by using this illustration as a way to track the progress and regress of resources while also setting targets and policies for sustainability.

The ecological footprint was devised by Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees at the University of British Columbia. The use of calculating the ecological footprint shows how much we consume from the Earth and how long it will take to recover. Since the 1970s, humanity has begun to outstrip the resources found on Earth. To better understand how much pressure is being exerted on the Earth’s resources, scientists will often show the value in the number of years for recovery or in the number of earths. Currently, it takes one year and six months for the Earth to recover, or 1.5 Earths.

---

Other Sources

Global Footprint Network. “Footprint Basics.” Global Footprint Network. http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/footprint_basics_overview/. Accessed August 3, 2016.

World Wildlife Federation. “Ecological Footprint.” World Wildlife Federation. http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/webfieldtrips/ecological_balance/eco_footprint/. Accessed August 3, 2016.

Ecological Impact is the effects left on organisms and their environment due to actions made by humans and natural occurrences. These changes can be beneficial or adverse to the ecosystem.

An example of ecological impact can be seen in the case of invasive species. While these organisms are brought into the ecosystem by humans to help solve a problem or are introduced by accident; they can pose a threat to the environment due to there being no predator to keep the invasive species under control. This can have a severe impact on the ecosystem by allowing the invader to continue to grow in number and force out native species from the environment.

---

Other Sources

“Ecological Impact.” Glossary of Environment Statistics. New York: United Nations, 1997.

University of Hertfordshire. “Environmental Impact.” University of Hertfordshire. http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/adlib/defra/content.aspx?id=000HK277ZW.0A6TZKXWFK04L6S. Accessed August 5, 2016.

Ecotourism promotes traveling to destinations that support sustainability and protecting the environment. It aims to not only help the environment but also in socio-economically supporting local communities. It emphasizes on educating the traveler on conservation efforts and supporting local communities.

Not all tourism in natural areas are ecotourism. Ecotourism emphasizes on conservation and community conservation. It also possesses the following characteristics:

• Environmental protection
• Protection of biodiversity
• Support local customs
• Support local communities
• Educate both communities and traveller

---

Other Sources

BBC. “Ecotourism.” BBC. Accessed June 8, 2016. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/tourism/ecotourism_rev1.shtml.

The Nature Conservancy. “What does Ecotourism mean, and why should you care?” The Nature Conservancy. Accessed June 8, 2016. http://www.nature.org/greenliving/what-is-ecotourism.xml.

E-cycling is the recycling of used electronic products that are deemed no longer useful. Old electronics are either donated for reuse or disposed of at a designated location where they are broken down and have their parts separated for repurposing. In the United States, more than 100 million pounds of e-waste is recovered each year.

The refuse left from discarded electronics his a growing issue in the twenty-first century. All electronics are made from a combination of toxic and non-toxic metals that, when disposed in a landfill or incinerated, can leach into the soil, water, and air, eventually ending up being consumed by humans and animals. E-cycling keeps these toxins from entering the biosphere while sustaining resources.

---

Other Source

EarthTalk. “E-waste may be most pressing problem of the 21st Century.” The Mercury. October 6, 2015. http://www.pottsmerc.com/lifestyle/20141006/e-waste-may-be-most-pressing-problem-of-the-21st-century. Accessed May 13, 2016.

Rouse, Margaret. “E-cycling.” Whatis.com. http://searchdatacenter.techtarget.com/definition/e-cycling. Accessed August 5, 2016.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a science-based study of the possible effects projects may have in an assigned area. This study looks at how the proposed project’s effects will affect the land environmentally, socially, and economically. EIAs help in developing policies and plans for land use and in determining ways to minimize any negative ramifications that such projects may have.

In many countries, an EIA is required by law before work can begin. All processes usually follow the following steps:

1. Applicants provide a detailed description of their proposed project to the appointed environmental authority such as the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States.

2. Applications are screened to determine if there is a need for an EIA.

3. Area is studied to understand the past, present, and future conditions against what effects may develop from the project.

4. Any possible effects are identified and then assessed for degree of effect.

5. Plans are made in how to manage and minimalize effects.

6. Technical and public reviews of findings are made.

7. Decision of if the project should move forward and what conditions will be implemented.

8. Project is monitored for actual outcomes.

---

Other Sources

Noble, Bram F. “Environmental Impact Assessment.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/environmental-impact-assessment/. Accessed August 3, 2016.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Environmental Impact Assessment.” EPA. http://www.epa.ie/monitoringassessment/assessment/eia/. Accessed August 3, 2016.

An Environmental Audit is an independent assessment performed to ensure that businesses and organizations are complying with environmental policies. It examines the amount of harm or risk of injury that may be posed by the assessed entity and determines the types of pollution being produced by looking at a broad range of locations, activities, and procedures. The information compiled from these factors to determine what changes would need to be installed for compliance.

Environmental Audits play a significant role in sustainability. It keeps companies and organizations accountable by examining their practices and determining what measures need to be installed to make sure these groups are following the proper regulations.

---

Other Sources

EcoCanada. “Environmental Auditor.” EcoCanada. http://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/environmental-auditor/. Accessed August 3, 2016.

Environmental Protection Authority of Victoria. “Environmental Auditing.” Environmental Protection Authority of Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/environmental-auditing. Accessed August 3, 2016.

Environmental Economic is an economic area where it is believed that the environment has an impact on the economy. This is based on the theory that poor management of natural resources will lead to failures in the market, and thus environmental policies need to exist for the market’s benefit.

Environmental economists research economic issues relating to environmental issues. They consider the environmental costs of economic growth such as pollutants and how those factors could influence economics; they may also look into how the environment may offset costs associated with economics.

An example of this could be the costs in removing an ecosystem in a community. An environmental economist would look at the situation and consider what services the ecosystem in question currently provides. The trees in the area would be removing carbon dioxide from the air, and individual species that live in the area may be necessary for preventing pests from entering nearby farm fields. These factors would show that there could be a better benefit to leaving the ecosystem than removing it.

---

Other Sources

“Environmental Economics.” Investopedia. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/environmental-economics.asp. Accessed August 3, 2016.

“What is an Environmental Economist?” Environmental Science.org. http://www.environmentalscience.org/career/environmental-economist. Accessed August 3, 2016.

An Environmental Effect Analysis (EEA) is a method in product development to determine the product’s environmental impact. It is often used during the early stages of product design so it can consider the economic and technical aspects involved in creating the product.

There are various steps in conducting the EEA: preparation, environmental auditing, follow-up, and reporting. During the development stage, all relevant information on the product is collected, particularly its life cycle and its environmental impact. Following this, the environmental impact is then assessed by looking at the product’s entire life cycle from the collection of materials to create the product to its disposal at the end. Upon completing the environmental audit, a follow-up analysis should be conducted to ensure that the intended results are achieved with the planned changes. Finally, the information found must be compiled into a report that will interpret the information in a straightforward and informative manner.

---

Other Sources

Jensen, Carsten et al. Environmental Analysis (EEA) – Principles and Structure. http://www.aeki.se/d_583.pdf. Accessed August 4, 2016.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a United States agency designed to enforce regulations that protect the environment and natural resources. It performs studies of environmental issues to shape and support legislation for environmental protection.

Before the creation of the EPA, there was little regulation on pollutants and for resources. The American public assumed that water and air would be plentiful and industries continued to discharge sewage and waste into rivers and spew dangerous emissions into the air, making water unsafe to drink and air so toxic in some cases that some people were hospitalized or died. This oblivious throwaway lifestyle became aware during the 1960s when books like Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring showed how chemicals and pollutants were damaging the environment.

In response to the growing outcry over the environment prompted U. S. President Richard Nixon to issue and Executive Order that reorganized the Executive Branch to move fifteen units from several departments to create a new department named the Environmental Protection Agency. This new agency was tasked with addressing the growing pollution problem and introduced the Clean Air Act (1970) to counter air pollution; the Federal Environmental Pesticide Act (1972); and the Clean Water Act (1972) to regulate wastewater from businesses and municipalities. The EPA was successful with air pollution as emissions in the United States declining from one-third to one-half from 1970 to 1990.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the EPA continued to introduce new regulations to combat hazardous waste and other contaminants. Today, the EPA continues as the regulator of the environmental policy while making sure that all current policies are being observed.

---

Other Sources

Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Environmental-Protection-Agency. Accessed August 4, 2016.

Wisman, Phil. “EPS History (1970-1985).” EPA. https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-history-1970-1985. Accessed August 4, 2016.

Environmental Psychology is the psychological study of how humans interact with their surrounding environments. Environmental psychologists theorize that humans are psychologically affected by how they treat the environment and vice versa. They look at how people respond to their circumstances, reasons behind preferences to certain conditions, and human behaviours behind how they have treated the environment.

Environmental phycologists concentrate on the environment people have built for themselves or the physical environment’s influence. Because of this, it is not uncommon for an environmental psychologist to help in community planning projects as they would be able to alter designs in a way that would ensure that they create an appropriate atmosphere.

---

Other Sources

Eco Canada. “Environmental Psychologist.” Eco Canada. http://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/environmental-psychologist/. Accessed August 4, 2016.

Environmental Science. “What is an Environmental Psychologist?” Environmental Science.org. http://www.environmentalscience.org/career/environmental-psychologist. Accessed August 4, 2016.