Electronic Equipment and Computer Recycling

We live in a technologically advanced time with electronics being a common household item and very few businesses could run without them. 

Computers, cell phones, fax and copy machines, printers, televisions and stereo equipment makes up just a portion of all of the electronics used today.

At some time these will become obsolete or stop working and will need to be disposed of and this is considered e-waste.

Most of the electronics we use today have useful parts long after the life of the object and the improper disposal of our electronics can pose a significant risk to the environment.

Toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium and polychlorinated biphenyls become an environmental concern when improper disposal of e-waste occurs.

In Europe e-waste has been banned from landfills over a decade ago and the e-waste policies in Europe were advanced by the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive which holds the manufacturer responsible for the end-of-life disposal of their e-waste. 

With the rapid technological changes and growth combined with the low initial costs of electronics the problems involving e-waste is escalating around the world. 

The legalities, collection, logistics and other services need to be implemented before technological solutions can be taken. 

Resulting in e-waste comprising about 2% of the United State’s trash that goes to landfill; however, this equals about 70% of the overall toxic waste. 

With the difficulty and expense involved in e-waste recycling much of it is exported to countries such as China and India where the environmental standards are lower and the adverse work conditions make the costs of recycling e-waste far lower.

Much of this export of e-waste is done illegally where the uncontrolled burning and disposal is causing environmental hazards as well as health hazards. 

Europe’s ban on disposing e-waste in landfills has led to an e-waste processing industry that continues to grow.

The United States legislation regarding e-waste has not gained a lot of ground over the decade due to limits at the state level stalling the efforts of the United States Congress’ multiple e-waste legislative bills. 

Managing the disposal of e-waste is one solution that needs to be enforced; however, better production processes and materials used is an area that is in need of reformation. 

Today a computer contains fire retardants in the plastics making recycling difficult, the glass in the monitor contains lead and many of the components contain other toxic substances making proper disposal complicated and costly.

The production of a more environmentally friendly computer is needed and being developed in Japan. 

A computer that is specifically designed to be easily recycled as well as the usual toxic substances being substituted with more benign substances is beginning to hit the shelves.

Even the soldering material used on the motherboard; commonly lead, is not used on this computer.  

Many computer companies will now allow you to return your computer when you are ready to discard it and will recycle or dispose of it for you. 

Some of the initiatives that can be made on an individual level are to use what you have.  When it comes time to upgrade your computer, instead of purchasing a bundled package of processor, mouse, keyboard, monitor and often printer only purchase the item(s) needed and re-use the equipment you have.

Expired or outdated cell phones can often be donated to shelters to be used as emergency service phones for domestic abuse victims. 

Many stores including Staples has begun offering e-waste recycling and much of it is free of charge and as simple as taking in your mp3 player or CD’s and putting them in a box.

Don’t disregard other’s desire for your used electronics either. 

A garage sale, e-bay or even a program such as Craigslist or freecycle can find homes for your e-waste.

Finding simple and green solutions for our technological lives will always lead to a greener tomorrow for us all.