[ LOG NEW RECORD ]
UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON
Net Zero & Sustainability Implementation Plan
Net Zero & Sustainability Implementation Plan
DATE:
08 OCT 2024
Day 1 of an estimated 54,750 days of toxic decay before this material fully assimilates into the soil.
Day 1 of an estimated 54,750 days of toxic decay before this material fully assimilates into the soil.
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE
2024-10-08A fleeting bureaucratic trace to document a disposal process that leaves a permanent geological scar.
WASTE DISPOSAL RECORD
WASTE TYPEWEEE
FULL CLASSIFICATION
General WEEE Directive
Waste IC
General WEEE Directive
Waste IC
EWC CODE
20.01.35*
EU Hazardous Code 20.01.35*. Highly toxic to biological life, requiring specialized multi-step containment.
EU Hazardous Code 20.01.35*. Highly toxic to biological life, requiring specialized multi-step containment.
BUILDINGElephant & Castle
COLLEGELCC
COLLECTED WEIGHT
0.050 t
≈ 50 kilograms. Visually equivalent to piling up 340 iPhones or 250 Big Macs, quietly rotting away.
≈ 50 kilograms. Visually equivalent to piling up 340 iPhones or 250 Big Macs, quietly rotting away.
DESTINATION
SUEZ Sittingbourne
SUEZ Sittingbourne
DESTINATION TYPE
Transfer Station
Transfer Station
COMPLIANCE STATUSACHIEVED [x]
LOGGED IN NZSIPYES [x]
DESTINATION TRACKEDNO [ ]
MATERIALS RECORDEDNO [ ]
WORKERS RECORDEDNO [ ]
TOTAL WEIGHT
0.050t
≈ 50 kilograms. Visually equivalent to piling up 340 iPhones or 250 Big Macs, quietly rotting away.
≈ 50 kilograms. Visually equivalent to piling up 340 iPhones or 250 Big Macs, quietly rotting away.
Thank you for disposing responsibly.
SOURCES:
[1] UAL Waste_24_25.xlsx, sheet: Data,row 1326. All figures drawn directly from UAL institutional records.
[2] EWC Code 20.01.35* denotes hazardous electrical and electronic equipment under EU Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC.
[1] UAL Waste_24_25.xlsx, sheet: Data,row 1326. All figures drawn directly from UAL institutional records.
[2] EWC Code 20.01.35* denotes hazardous electrical and electronic equipment under EU Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC.
MATERIAL RECORD
Specimen: 0.050T General WEEE
Specimen: 0.050T General WEEE
DATE: 08 OCT 2024
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
ITEMISED MATERIAL CONTENT
ESTIMATED CONTENTSBased on avg e-waste composition
(UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024)
Gold (contacts)~3.5g
≈ Destroying 3.5 tons of earth for extraction.
≈ Destroying 3.5 tons of earth for extraction.Copper (wiring)~3.5 kg
Extracted through hazardous smelting.
Extracted through hazardous smelting.Silver (conductors)~18g
Deeply entangled with toxic solder.
Deeply entangled with toxic solder.Value if recovered~GBP 215
A marginal economic recovery that ignores the catastrophic environmental debt.
A marginal economic recovery that ignores the catastrophic environmental debt.HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Lead (solder, older screens)present
Soil persistence: 150-5000 yrsMercury (backlights, switches)present
Atmospheric: indefinite Cadmium (batteries, plating)present
Half-life in human body: 30 yrsBrominated flame retardantspresent
(PCB boards, plastic casings)
Persistence: indefinite
UNCLASSIFIED PLASTICS ~20 kg
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS present
(neodymium, dysprosium, etc.)TOTAL LOGGED BY UAL 0.050 T
TOTAL HAZARDOUS not logged
TOTAL RECOVERABLE not logged
DESTINATION OF ABOVE unknown
(record ends: Sittingbourne)
ACCOUNTABILITY
ENDS HERE
ENDS HERE
SOURCES:
[1] Material composition: UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024. Gold: ~140g/T in mobile/PC e-waste.
[2] Lead persistence 150-5000 years: Baath et al., PMC3700007.
[3] Cadmium half-life 16-30 years: Nordberg, PMC10537762.
[4] BFR persistence: UN E-Waste Monitor 2024, undocumented flows.he exact economic value placed on an undocumented worker's life and health
Gold (contacts)~3.5g≈ Destroying 3.5 tons of earth for extraction.
≈ Destroying 3.5 tons of earth for extraction.Copper (wiring)~3.5 kgExtracted through hazardous smelting.
Extracted through hazardous smelting.Silver (conductors)~18gDeeply entangled with toxic solder.
Deeply entangled with toxic solder.Value if recovered~GBP 215A marginal economic recovery that ignores the catastrophic environmental debt.
A marginal economic recovery that ignores the catastrophic environmental debt.EMBODIED DEBT (UNPAID)
Raw Earth Mined34.5 TTo create 50kg of electronics, over 30 tons of rock and soil were blasted.
To create 50kg of electronics, over 30 tons of rock and soil were blasted.Freshwater Consumed18,400 LEnough drinking water for a human for 16 years, permanently contaminated.
Enough drinking water for a human for 16 years, permanently contaminated.CO2 Emissions2.8 T
Carbon debt incurred befoe the devices were even turn
Carbon debt incurred befoe the devices were even turnWASTE TYPE
WEEE
FULL CLASSIFICATION General WEEE Directive
Waste IC
EWC CODE 20.01.35*
(* = hazardous)
BUILDING Elephant & Castle
COLLEGE LCC
BIN SIZE Standard
COLLECTED WEIGHT 0.050 T
DESTINATION
SUEZ Sittingbourne
Transfer Station
DESTINATION TYPE
Transfer Station
------------------------------------------
COMPLIANCE STATUS ACHIEVED [x]
LOGGED IN NZSIP YES [x]
DESTINATION TRACKED NO [ ]
MATERIALS RECORDED NO [ ]
WORKERS RECORDED NO [ ]
==========================================
TOTAL WEIGHT 0.050 T
==========================================
Thank you for disposing responsibly.
COMPLIANCE STATUS ACHIEVED [x]
LOGGED IN NZSIP YES [x]
DESTINATION TRACKED NO [ ]
MATERIALS RECORDED NO [ ]
WORKERS RECORDED NO [ ]
==========================================
TOTAL WEIGHT 0.050 T
==========================================
Thank you for disposing responsibly.
GEOPOLITICAL TRAJECTORY
------------------------------------------
[1] UAL Waste_24_25.xlsx, sheet: Data,
row 1326. All figures drawn directly
from UAL institutional records.
[2] EWC Code 20.01.35* denotes
hazardous electrical & electronic
equipment under EU Waste Framework
Directive 2008/98/EC.
==========================================
Legal Loophole"Donation"Categorized as 'used goods' to bypass the Basel Convention on hazardous waste.
Categorized as 'used goods' to bypass the Basel Convention on hazardous waste.Arrival StatusUntraceable
Once it leaves UK jurisdiction, the institutional conscience is wiped clean.
Once it leaves UK jurisdiction, the institutional conscience is wiped clean.UNRECORDED LABOUR
Manual sorting8-12 hrs
Unprotected manual labor, often utilizing child workers in informal sectors.
Unprotected manual labor, often utilizing child workers in informal sectors.Est. valueGBP 0.00MATERIAL RECORD
Specimen: 0.050T General WEEE
DATE: 08 OCT 2024
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
ITEMISED MATERIAL CONTENT
------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED CONTENTS
Based on avg e-waste composition
(UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024)
Gold (contacts, processors) ~3.5g
Value if recovered: ~GBP 215
Silver (conductors) ~18g
Copper (wiring, PCBs) ~3.5 kg
Palladium (capacitors) ~0.4g
------------------------------------------
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
------------------------------------------
Lead (solder, older screens) present
Soil persistence: 150-5000 yrs
Mercury (backlights, switches) present
Atmospheric: indefinite
Cadmium (batteries, plating) present
Half-life in human body: 30 yrs
Brominated flame retardants present
(PCB boards, plastic casings)
Persistence: indefinite
------------------------------------------
UNCLASSIFIED PLASTICS ~20 kg
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS present
(neodymium, dysprosium, etc.)
TOTAL LOGGED BY UAL 0.050 T
TOTAL HAZARDOUS not logged
TOTAL RECOVERABLE not logged
DESTINATION OF ABOVE unknown
(record ends: Sittingbourne)
==========================================
ACCOUNTABILITY ends here
==========================================
------------------------------------------
SOURCES:
[1] Material composition: UN Global
E-waste Monitor 2024. Gold: ~140g/T
in mobile/PC e-waste.
[2] Lead persistence 150-5000 years:
Baath et al., PMC3700007.
[3] Cadmium half-life 16-30 years:
Nordberg, PMC10537762.
[4] BFR persistence: UN E-Waste
Monitor 2024, undocumented flows.he exact economic value placed on an undocumented
worker's life and healt
MATERIAL RECORDSpecimen: 0.050T General WEEE
DATE: 08 OCT 2024
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
ITEMISED MATERIAL CONTENT
------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED CONTENTS
Based on avg e-waste composition
(UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024)
Gold (contacts, processors) ~3.5g
Value if recovered: ~GBP 215
Silver (conductors) ~18g
Copper (wiring, PCBs) ~3.5 kg
Palladium (capacitors) ~0.4g
------------------------------------------
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
------------------------------------------
Lead (solder, older screens) present
Soil persistence: 150-5000 yrs
Mercury (backlights, switches) present
Atmospheric: indefinite
Cadmium (batteries, plating) present
Half-life in human body: 30 yrs
Brominated flame retardants present
(PCB boards, plastic casings)
Persistence: indefinite
------------------------------------------
UNCLASSIFIED PLASTICS ~20 kg
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS present
(neodymium, dysprosium, etc.)
TOTAL LOGGED BY UAL 0.050 T
TOTAL HAZARDOUS not logged
TOTAL RECOVERABLE not logged
DESTINATION OF ABOVE unknown
(record ends: Sittingbourne)
==========================================
ACCOUNTABILITY ends here
==========================================
------------------------------------------
SOURCES:
[1] Material composition: UN Global
E-waste Monitor 2024. Gold: ~140g/T
in mobile/PC e-waste.
[2] Lead persistence 150-5000 years:
Baath et al., PMC3700007.
[3] Cadmium half-life 16-30 years:
Nordberg, PMC10537762.
[4] BFR persistence: UN E-Waste
Monitor 2024, undocumented flows.he exact economic value placed on an undocumented
worker's life and healt
MATERIAL RECORD
Specimen: 0.050T General WEEE
DATE: 08 OCT 2024
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
ITEMISED MATERIAL CONTENT
------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED CONTENTS
Based on avg e-waste composition
(UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024)
Value if recovered: ~GBP 215 Silver (conductors) ~18g
Copper (wiring, PCBs) ~3.5 kg
Palladium (capacitors) ~0.4g
------------------------------------------
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
------------------------------------------
Lead (solder, older screens) present
Soil persistence: 150-5000 yrs
Mercury (backlights, switches) present
Atmospheric: indefinite
Cadmium (batteries, plating) present
Half-life in human body: 30 yrs
Brominated flame retardants present
(PCB boards, plastic casings)
Persistence: indefinite
------------------------------------------
UNCLASSIFIED PLASTICS ~20 kg
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS present
(neodymium, dysprosium, etc.)
TOTAL LOGGED BY UAL 0.050 T
TOTAL HAZARDOUS not logged
TOTAL RECOVERABLE not logged
DESTINATION OF ABOVE unknown
(record ends: Sittingbourne)
==========================================
ACCOUNTABILITY ends here
==========================================
------------------------------------------
SOURCES:
[1] Material composition: UN Global
E-waste Monitor 2024. Gold: ~140g/T
in mobile/PC e-waste.
[2] Lead persistence 150-5000 years:
Baath et al., PMC3700007.
[3] Cadmium half-life 16-30 years:
Nordberg, PMC10537762.
[4] BFR persistence: UN E-Waste
Monitor 2024, undocumented flows.
MATERIAL RECORD (CYCLE 2)
Gold (contacts)~3.5g≈ Destroying 3.5 tons of earth for extraction.
≈ Destroying 3.5 tons of earth for extraction.Copper (wiring)~3.5 kgExtracted through hazardous smelting.
Extracted through hazardous smelting.Silver (conductors)~18gDeeply entangled with toxic solder.
Deeply entangled with toxic solder.Value if recovered~GBP 215A marginal economic recovery that ignores the catastrophic environmental debt.
A marginal economic recovery that ignores the catastrophic environmental debt.EMBODIED DEBT (UNPAID)
Raw Earth Mined34.5 TTo create 50kg of electronics, over 30 tons of rock and soil were blasted.
To create 50kg of electronics, over 30 tons of rock and soil were blasted.Freshwater Consumed18,400 LEnough drinking water for a human for 16 years, permanently contaminated.
Enough drinking water for a human for 16 years, permanently contaminated.CO2 Emissions2.8 TCarbon debt incurred before the devices were even turned on.
Carbon debt incurred before the devices were even turned on.UNRECORDED LABOUR
[name and location: not logged]
DATE: DATE UNKNOWN
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
INVOICE FOR SERVICES RENDERED
------------------------------------------
PAYABLE BY UAL / SUEZ
PAYABLE TO unrecorded
SERVICE RATE
------------------------------------------
Manual sorting & disassembly
Est. 8-12 hrs GBP 0.00
Protective equipment not provided
Circuit board processing
Open-air burning (Cu recovery)
Est. 3-4 hrs exposure GBP 0.00
Respiratory protection not provided
Acid bath (Au/Ag recovery)
HNO3 / HCl / H2SO4 used
Handling protection not provided
Est. 2-3 hrs GBP 0.00
------------------------------------------
EXTERNALITIES not our dept
Medical costs (respiratory) not logged
Lost working days (toxicity) not logged
Groundwater contamination not logged
Life expectancy reduction not logged
Child labour risk not assessed
------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL (logged) GBP 0.00
SUBTOTAL (unlogged) incalculable
COMPLIANCE STATUS ACHIEVED [x]
==========================================
BALANCE DUE GBP 0.00
==========================================
Thank you for your contribution.
------------------------------------------
SOURCES:
[1] Informal e-waste processing
methods: PMC9848041 (e-waste
recycling review, 2023).
[2] Chemicals used informally:
cyanide, HNO3, HCl, H2SO4.
Source: same.
[3] Only 22.3% of global e-waste
formally recycled (2022). UN
Global E-waste Monitor 2024.
MATERIAL RECORD
Issued on behalf of: the future
DATE: ISSUED: 08 OCT 2024
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
LONGEVITY STATEMENT
------------------------------------------
ITEM ENTERED UAL SYSTEM Oct 2024
ITEM LEFT UAL RECORDS Oct 2024
DURATION OF UAL CONCERN 1 day
------------------------------------------
MATERIAL TIMELINES
------------------------------------------
Lead
Soil retention time:
150 to 5,000 years
Does not degrade
Year safe (est.): 2174-7024
Cadmium
Half-life in human body:
16 to 30 years
Linked to: kidney damage,
lung cancer, bone disease
Year excreted (est.): 2054-2054
Mercury
Atmospheric persistence:
indefinite
Bioaccumulates in food chain
Year safe: unknown
Brominated flame retardants
Persistence: indefinite
Found in: Arctic wildlife,
human breast milk, deep ocean
------------------------------------------
DURATION OF CONSEQUENCE 200-INF yrs
LOGGED IN NET ZERO REPORT 0.050 T
==========================================
NET ZERO STATUS ACHIEVED [x]
==========================================
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING NET ZERO
------------------------------------------
SOURCES:
[1] Lead: 150-5000yr soil retention.
Baath et al. (2013) PMC3700007.
[2] Lead: "does not degrade, remains
thousands of years." UNH Extension,
extension.unh.edu, Feb 2024.
[3] Cadmium half-life 25-30yr:
Sciencedirect, pii/S2772416625.
[4] BFR in Arctic/breast milk:
UN E-Waste Monitor 2024.
HYPOTHETICAL WATER TABLE
Issued from: aquifer downstream
DATE: SAMPLE DATE: ongoing
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
LEACHATE ANALYSIS REPORT
------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED LEACHATE CONCENTRATIONS
If improperly processed/landfilled
Based on e-waste leachate studies
------------------------------------------
DETECTED CONTAMINANTS μg/L
------------------------------------------
Lead (Pb)
Drinking water limit: 10 μg/L
Leachate from e-waste: 50-2400
Status: exceeds limit
Cadmium (Cd)
Drinking water limit: 3 μg/L
Leachate from e-waste: 5-890
Status: exceeds limit
Mercury (Hg)
Drinking water limit: 6 μg/L
Leachate from e-waste: present
Status: exceeds limit
Chromium (Cr)
Total allowable: 50 μg/L
Leachate from e-waste: present
------------------------------------------
BIOACCUMULATION FACTORS
------------------------------------------
Cadmium in freshwater
organisms: 3 to 4,190x
Mercury in fish: biomagnifies
Lead in food chain: accumulates
SOIL pH (affects mobility)
Low pH (<6.5): increases
uptake into plants/water
------------------------------------------
REMEDIATION TIMELINE
Soil washing/phytoremediation:
decades to centuries
Natural degradation: not possible
(metals do not degrade)
==========================================
UAL MONITORING none logged
==========================================
------------------------------------------
SOURCES:
[1] Leachate concentrations from
e-waste: Li et al. (2013), Waste
Management 33(6):1331-1338.
[2] Drinking water limits: WHO
Guidelines (2011), EU Directive.
[3] Bioconcentration factors:
ATSDR Cd toxicological profile;
van Hattum (1989), ranges 3-4190.
[4] "Metals do not degrade":
UNH Extension fact sheet, 2024.
GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Origin to unknown destination
DATE: 08 OCT 2024
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
MATERIALS MOVEMENT RECORD
------------------------------------------
TRACED JOURNEY (incomplete)
------------------------------------------
EXTRACTION (2019-2022, est.)
------------------------------------------
Cobalt: DRC (Katanga)
Artisanal mining, hand tools
Lithium: Chile/Australia
Rare earths: China (Bayan Obo)
Copper: Chile/Peru
Gold: South Africa/Ghana
Approx. distance: ~8,000 km
------------------------------------------
MANUFACTURE (2022-2023, est.)
------------------------------------------
Assembly: Shenzhen, China
Distance DRC to Shenzhen: ~12,000 km
------------------------------------------
RETAIL & USE (2023-2024)
------------------------------------------
Import to UK: via container
Retail: London
Use: UAL LCC
Duration: ~18-24 months
Distance Shenzhen to London: ~9,600 km
------------------------------------------
DISPOSAL (08 OCT 2024)
------------------------------------------
Collection: Elephant & Castle
Logged destination: Sittingbourne
(Transfer Station, 78 km)
Actual endpoint: not recorded
Possible destinations:
- UK processing facility
- Export to EU
- Export to Asia (Lagos,
Agbogbloshie, Delhi, etc.)
- Landfill (unknown location)
------------------------------------------
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED
(before disposal): ~29,600 km
TOTAL DISTANCE (after disposal): unknown
Materials extracted: ~29,600 km away
Materials disposed: unknown km away
Duration at UAL: 18-24 months
==========================================
AUDIT TRAIL ends: Kent
==========================================
------------------------------------------
SOURCES:
[1] DRC cobalt production: USGS
Mineral Commodity Summaries 2023.
[2] 77.6% of e-waste destination
globally is undocumented. UN
Global E-waste Monitor 2024.
[3] Basel Convention restricts but
does not prevent export of
hazardous e-waste to Global South.
[4] Distance calculations: approx.
great circle routes, extraction
sites estimated from industry data.
MATERIAL RECORD
Filed from: 150 years post-disposal
DATE: 08 OCT 2174
REF: UAL/LCC/WEEE/2024-10-08
==========================================
PERSISTENCE VERIFICATION
------------------------------------------
SPECIMEN RECOVERY DATE 08 Oct 2174
ORIGINAL DISPOSAL DATE 08 Oct 2024
ELAPSED TIME 150 years
------------------------------------------
SOIL SAMPLE ANALYSIS
Location: unknown (original
endpoint not recorded in 2024)
------------------------------------------
Lead (Pb) concentration
Status at 150 years: PRESENT
Degradation: 0%
Est. years remaining: 4,850+
(soil retention: 5000 years)
Cadmium (Cd) concentration
Status at 150 years: PRESENT
Half-lives elapsed: ~5-9
Reduction: <1%
Bioavailable in food chain: YES
Mercury (Hg) concentration
Status at 150 years: PRESENT
Atmospheric persistence: ongoing
Methylmercury in local fish: YES
Brominated flame retardants
Status at 150 years: PRESENT
Detected in: soil, water,
local wildlife, human adipose
tissue (residents, 2174)
------------------------------------------
PLASTIC COMPONENTS
------------------------------------------
PCB housings (est. 20kg/bin):
Degradation at 150 years: <5%
Microplastic formation: YES
Detected in: soil, water
------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL RECORD CHECK
------------------------------------------
UAL Net Zero Plan (2024): archived
Compliance status (2024): achieved
Monitoring post-2024: none
Duration of UAL concern: 1 day
Duration of material presence: 150+ years
Estimated years until safe: 4,850+
==========================================
RESPONSIBILITY unclear
==========================================
Original disposal: 08 Oct 2024
SOURCES:
[1] Lead soil retention 150-5000yr: Baath et al. (2013) PMC3700007.
[2] "Lead does not degrade": UNH Cooperative Extension, 2024.
[3] Cadmium half-life 16-30yr in human body; similar in environment. Nordberg, PMC10537762.
[4] BFR persistence in Arctic wildlife documented decades after production. UN E-waste Monitor 2024.
[5] Microplastic formation from e-waste plastics: emerging research.
*** END OF AUDIT ***
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