E-Waste(Electronic Waste) is obsolete, broken, or surplus electronics that are discarded in the trash. E-Waste is the fastest growing component of municipal waste in the world, with between 20 and 50 million tons generated annually and that amount is climbing rapidly every year. One of the largest problems with E-Waste is the toxic metals contained in much of it. These metals include lead, mercury and cadmium, all of which pose large health risks. Besides toxic metals, there are also large quantities of precious and rare metals such as gold, silver, copper, and palladium. These metals require enormous amounts of carbon dioxide to mine and they are just being thrown away by people.
The largest components of E-waste are computers, cell phones, tvs, printers, digital music players and digital cameras. Many of the over 1 billion cell phones bought in 2007 are thrown away or improperly stripped of their precious metals. In 10 years the amount of computer waste will grow 400 percent in South Africa and China, and 500 percent in India. The United States alone produces the most E-Waste of all at 3 million tons a year.
So what can be done to help reduce the problem?
Well it seems the greatest challenge is getting old electronics to proper recycling centers. Many consumers are unaware of the growing problem of E-Waste and all of the dangers it presents.
Manufactures are also being held accountable to an extent in some countries in helping recycle their products. There are many manufactures and stores that will take back old electronics and recycle them for free or for a small fee. In the case of a fee being charged, many of these stores will offer a dollar for dollar credit towards the purchase of newer goods.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Take good care of your electronic items so they last as long as possible. Before purchasing a new computer system, for example, check into upgrading individual components. You may find that all you need is one or two components replaced, saving money and helping the environment at the same time. Proper maintenance of products to extend their lifespans helps to reduce material consumption, reducing the number of products in the waste stream.
- 2 Consider the purchase of refurbished products when possible. Refurbished products usually carry the same manufacturer's warranty as new items. Working consumer electronics may be donated to a charity or thrift store so that they can be reused by others.
- 3 Nonfunctional electronic products such as computer monitors and televisions should be recycled instead of thrown away. Many, if not all products, are packaged with recyclable materials. Cardboard, polystyrene and plastic packing can all be recycled. Check with your local shipping and mailing service store regarding these items. Many businesses will accept materials such as packing peanuts and other padding.
- 4 Batteries, depending on the type, can and should be recycled. Alkaline batteries are considered by the federal government to be non-hazardous waste and can be disposed of in the trash. Lithium ion and nickel metal hydride batteries commonly used in laptops and cell phones are also considered non-hazardous waste; however, they can be recycled and should be taken to a recycling center. Ni-cad, lead acid, sealed lead acid (automobile) and silver oxide and button (common in watches and hearing aids) batteries are all classified as hazardous waste and need to be recycled. Check the label before throwing away such batteries.
- 5 According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling one million cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions equal to removing 33 cars from the road for a year. As of April 2009, the EPA reports that only 10 percent of cell phones are recycled each year. Recycling your cell phone, PDA, chargers, cell phone batteries and other accessories helps recover valuable materials and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
" SOUNDS SIMPLE, BUT CAN YOU FOLLOW THIS ATLEAST ONCE??? "
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