Electronics

From Recyclepedia

Electronics
Companies recycling this material:
The Recyclery - Allied Waste of San Mateo

Electronic waste or "e-waste" consists of discarded electronics or electrical devices such as televisions, monitors, computers, printers, audio and stereo equipment, VCRs, DVD players, video cameras, telephones, fax and copying machines, cell phones, wireless devices, and video game consoles. The recycling of electronic waste is sometimes referred to as eCycling.

Electronic waste comprises the world's fastest growing solid waste stream due to the accelerating obsolescence of technology. Electronics contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants that can contaminate land, water and air when they are disposed of in landfills or incinerators.The EPA estimated that U.S. consumers disposed of two million tons of e-waste in 2007. Every year 20 to 50 million tons of e-waste are generated worldwide and that number is growing by 4% per year. ^[1]

Contents 1 Recycling Options 1.1 Reuse 1.2 Take-back Programs 1.3 E-waste Recyclers 1.4 Municipal Recycling Programs 2 E-waste Solutions 3 Recycling Center Directories 4 E-Cycling Advocacy Organizations 5 U.S. Trade Associations 6 Global Trade Associations 7 European Initiatives 8 Global Initiatives 9 Global Information 10 E-Cycling Newsletters 11 External Links

[edit] Recycling Options

[edit] Reuse

The most sustainable way to recycle a usable electronic device is to donate or sell for reuse. Prolonging the life of an electronic device effectively keeps it out of the ever-increasing stream of e-waste for as long as possible. Devices can be sold on websites such as Ebay and Craigslist or donated to Goodwill and The Salvation Army. There are many charitable organizations like The National Cristina Foundation that provide computers, cell phones and other devices to people who need them. (See: Category:Electronics Recycling Directories)

A common reason people and/or businesses opt not to donate electronic devices is data security. However, a computer's harddrive can be erased utilizing software that is easily accessible for free online.

[edit] Take-back Programs

More and more electronics manufacturers are developing take-back programs. Some manufacturers have drop-off locations where you can bring old electronic devices and in exchange may provide credit toward new purchases. Others provide prepaid mailing labels for shipping devices back to their factories directly. Contact individual manufacturers for details about their take-back programs. (See Category:Electronics Manufacturers)

[edit] E-waste Recyclers

There are eCycling companies that specialize in recycling electronics for a small fee. (See: Category:Electronics Recycling Directories) However, it is important to use a reputable recycler. Some eCycling companies illegally ship hazardous electronics overseas where they are then dismantled in unsafe conditions by people, sometimes by children. Once devices have been "mined" for their materials, the devices are either dumped into landfills, polluting the vicinity, or else their toxic byproducts are melted down and used in the manufacture of toxic goods that are shipped back to the US for sale. (The nonprofit group Earth 911 says they list only the names of vetted eCyclers.)

A common reason people and/or businesses opt not to donate electronic devices is data security. However, many eCycling organizations, especially those catering to businesses, specialize in data security and will destroy all data and provide a written guarantee they have done so.

[edit] Municipal Recycling Programs

Municipal Garbage and Recycling Services will sometimes accept electronic waste on specific days or will accept drop-offs at their recycling centers. (See: Category:Electronics Recycling Directories)

[edit] E-waste Solutions

Efforts by advocacy groups to reduce the dangers of global e-waste are primarly focused on the following:

• promoting refurbish and reuse programs
• promoting corporate take-back programs
• investigating electronic recycling programs to ensure proper practices
• preventing the shipping of toxic e-waste to salvage yards in third world countries
• promoting green design of electronics
• advocating the restriction of hazardous materials in electronics manufacturing
• educating consumers how and where to purchase the most eco-friendly electronics on the market

[edit] Recycling Center Directories

• Earth 911 delivers actionable local information on recycling by zipcode
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information on eCycling
• My Green Electronics helps consumers find recycling & reuse programs in their stateby zipcode and helps them purchase new electronics responsibly
• Electronic Industries Alliance's eCycling Central Website helps consumers find reuse, recycling, and donation programs in their state
• TechSoup connects non-profits with technology donations to fit their needs, and helps facilitate those who would like to donate hardware
• Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) provides over 50,000 recycling locations for cell phone recycling and the rechargeable batteries of wireless products and cordless tools
• Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is a system to help consumers evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes

[edit] E-Cycling Advocacy Organizations

• Electronics TakeBack Coalition is a environmental coalition seeking to reform the U.S. electronics industry by promoting green design and responsible recycling
• Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition is an organization engaged in research, advocacy and grassroots organizing to promote human health and environmental justice in response to the rapid growth of the high-tech industry
• Basel Action Network (BAN) is a watchdog non-profit that works to prevent the globalization of the toxic chemical crisis including an E-Waste Stewardship Project

[edit] U.S. Trade Associations

• National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA)

[edit] Global Trade Associations

• The International Association of Electronics Recyclers, Inc. (IAER) is a trade association for the electronics recycling industry

[edit] European Initiatives

The Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive)

[edit] Global Initiatives

• The Basel Convention

[edit] Global Information

• eWaste Guide A knowledge base for the sustainable recycling of e-Waste

[edit] E-Cycling Newsletters

• E-scrap News is a recycling and waste management industry publication reporting on the latest issues and solutions inside scrap electronics management

[edit] External Links

• Wikipedia article on electronic waste
• E-Waste Facts & Figures