| As the worlds population increases so does the | | | | reusable parts. The CRT glass is sent to a lead |
| amount of waste generated and it all has a | | | | smelter to recover the lead or to a CRT glass |
| drastic effect on the planet. The waste is thrown | | | | manufacturer where the glass is used to turn out |
| into a landfill, recycled, reused, or melted down | | | | new CRT glass. The electronic components in the |
| and made into new objects. | | | | CPU, such as the main board, memory, hard |
| Rising consciousness of the impact humans are | | | | drives, battery, power supply, and sound cards, |
| having on the earth means green issues are | | | | are removed and sold on to different |
| becoming higher on peoples list of priorities. In an | | | | manufacturers or recyclers around the country. |
| attempt to try and save it from further damage | | | | Plastics are separated and generally shredded for |
| environmental researchers are constantly | | | | recycling, whilst metal components are also |
| exploring new techniques and methods that will | | | | separated before being sent to scrap metal |
| hopefully shape the future of waste management. | | | | recyclers. |
| The amount of electronic products used in each | | | | The figures associated with e-waste are massive |
| country is astounding, every year alone there are | | | | and it's time leading electronic companies take |
| thousands upon thousands of disused computers | | | | more control of the situation and deal with the |
| thrown into landfills - when you realize that a | | | | waste from their products. It is the fastest |
| computer is made up from over 1,000 materials | | | | growing sector of the solid waste stream due to |
| and the average lifespan is just 2 years, then it | | | | frequent upgrades of computers, TV's, stereo |
| becomes clear they contribute significantly to the | | | | systems and, particularly, mobile phones - in |
| e-waste stream. E-waste is also highly toxic as it | | | | western countries people generally buy a new |
| can cause serious health and pollution problems as | | | | phone every 2 years. |
| it contains harmful contaminants including lead, | | | | Manufacturers of electronic goods need to take |
| mercury, cadmium, beryllium and brominated | | | | responsibility for the products they make and |
| flame retardants. | | | | avert an e-waste disaster. Their aim should be to |
| If left to sit in a landfill these toxic chemicals filter | | | | design electronics that contain harmful materials |
| into the soil and atmosphere, which in turn have a | | | | and have an extended lifespan. They should also |
| negative effect on the local community. In some | | | | be in a position to take their products back once |
| countries the dumping of electronic waste in | | | | they have passed their sell by date and re-use |
| landfills is now illegal. E-waste also gets incinerated | | | | and recycle them safely, and as appropriate. |
| which releases heavy metals, including lead and | | | | Some manufacturers now offer a 'take back' |
| mercury, into the environment which ultimately | | | | scheme whereby you can return your unwanted |
| end up in the food chain. | | | | electronics to the company for recycling. |
| A good way to increase a product's lifespan is to | | | | Responsible disposal of electronic waste is not |
| reuse it. Mobile phones and computers are sent to | | | | only the responsibility of leading electronics |
| developing countries for their use; however, in | | | | companies, it is everyone's concern. Reuse is a |
| practice it doesn't always work out to be the | | | | resourceful way to recycle your appliances; you |
| best option as once they are no longer required, | | | | could give any unwanted items to friends, family, |
| the country has no hazardous waste facilities. It | | | | charity, or other community group that would |
| then ends up in scrap yards where workers, | | | | make use of it. If the appliance doesn't work then |
| often children, are employed to sort it by hand | | | | find your nearest e-waste recycling point. |
| where they are exposed to the toxic chemicals | | | | There are waste management services online |
| and poisons, along with the local community and | | | | that can assist with all facets of waste |
| surrounding environment. In developed countries, | | | | management and resource recovery, |
| electronics recycling occurs in purpose-built | | | | organizations with years of experience in putting |
| recycling plants under strictly controlled conditions, | | | | into action effective, innovative and sustainable |
| in developing countries they have no controls in | | | | waste management and industrial services |
| place. | | | | solutions. |
| Computer recycling produces a large amount of | | | | |