About E-Waste
What is E-Waste? Maybe you've never heard of the informal term, but chances are you already know what E-Waste is. E-Waste is composed of electronic devices--computers, videogame consoles, fax machines, cell phones and televisions--that are discarded, sometimes because they are broken but more often because their technology is obsolete. However, more problematic than the massive amount of electronics that proliferate U.S. landfills is what happens when recyclable and refurbishable E-Waste is exported out of the country.
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What Causes E-Waste?
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Quite simply, E-Waste proliferates landfills whenever people needlessly dispose of their obsolete and broken electronic equipment rather than having it fixed or giving it away. Greenpeace states that E-Waste is now the "fastest growing component in the municipal solid waste stream," with mobile phones and computers being the most problematic, as they are replaced most often.
How Much E-Waste is There? Where Does it Go?
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According to the Electronics Take Back Coalition, the U.S. exports enough E-Waste annually to fill 5,126 shipping containers. The Environmental Protection Agency states that in 2007, Americans disposed of some 300 million electronic devices. E-Waste is exported to developing countries, including China, Hong Kong, India and Nigeria at their request, as these countries are bereft of certain raw materials such as copper that are used in many electronics. Seventy percent of U.S. E-Waste goes to developing Asian nations, such as China and India.
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The Hazards of E-Waste
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Recycling is usually good for the environment--but it takes on an ominous edge when it comes to E-Waste. When E-Waste is improperly taken apart, it releases toxic metals, including mercury and lead, into the environment. Cathode ray tubes found in old computers and televisions are of particular concern, as each houses anywhere from four to eight pounds of lead. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on E-Waste in 2008 that stated that exportation of E-Waste resulted in "viable and productive secondhand use of electronic devices in developing countries." However, the GAO report expressed concerns that the countries "lack the capacity to safely handle" E-Waste. Additionally, the low cost of labor in countries receiving E-Waste, as well as lax environmental regulations, make for extremely unsafe recycling conditions.
E-Waste Legislation
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In May 2009, federal legislation was introduced by Reps. Gene Green (D-Texas) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) which would purportedly restrict export of toxic E-Waste to developing nations. The bill permits the exportation of E-Waste to these nations as long as they agree to fix the devices and sell them for second-hand use. However, environmentalists point out that this condition is actually a loophole that renders the legislation ineffective, because the countries could still use the E-Waste for recycling purposes despite any claims they might make to the contrary. Critics also point out that the legislation provides no method by which the countries could submit verifiable proof that the refurbished E-Waste was recirculated in their own countries.
How Can I Prevent E-Waste?
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You can reduce E-Waste by being a smart consumer. Choose cell phones, computers and televisions that you will use for years rather than upgrading them whenever a newer model comes out. If you replace electronics that are still working, give, sell or donate the old ones to someone who'll put them to good use. If your electronic devices cannot be fixed, recycle them rather than throwing them away.
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