34.6. Environmental and Sustainability Concerns

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is e-waste?

   Hint

   Think about what happens when electronic items are thrown out.

2. 2.

   Name one green automation practice.

   Hint

   Consider how things can use less power.

3. 3.

   What does the term 'resource consumption' refer to?

   • Materials used in manufacturing
   • Energy used in operation
   • Both of the above

   Hint

   Think about both producing and using automated systems.

4. 4.

   True or False: E-waste is only harmful if disposed of incorrectly.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider how waste impacts the environment based on disposal methods.

5. 5.

   Given the life-cycle assessment of an automation system produced in 2020, identify the primary areas where sustainability can be improved and propose solutions.

   Hint

   Reflect on each phase of the product's life.

6. 6.

   Critically analyze how societal attitudes towards e-waste disposal affect environmental policies worldwide.

   Hint

   Think about the connections between societal behavior and legislative changes.