Things to know about electronic waste
eWaste, which includes electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, printers and related peripherals, is both an environmental problem and a health hazard. Electronics contain substantial amounts of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium, discussed in detail below. When electronics are not properly disposed of or recycled, the toxins can potentially seep into the ground and affect our groundwater and the air we breathe.
Some discarded electronics end up in landfills in the US, but many are shipped to third world countries where children and other workers sort through the discarded electronics searching for parts they are paid several cents for. They often do this work without gloves, masks or goggles, suffering exposure to the harmful chemicals, glass, and other sharp objects.
In addition, recycling also creates one hundred more jobs than regular garbage disposal. Valuable materials such as steel, glass, plastic and precious metals which can be reused for other purposes can be recovered from recycling.
Additional Statistics
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that ewaste accounts for about 1% of the nation's 210 million tons of solid waste each year
- Other reports have estimated that ewaste constitutes as much as 2-5% of the US municipal solid waste stream and continues to grow rapidly
- eWaste is continually on the rise, with an average of 220 tons of computers and other ewaste dumped in landfills and incinerators every year in the US
- Many people discard computers every three to five years, and an estimated 250 million computers will become obsolete within the next five years
- Older TVs and computers can contain an average of four pounds of lead as well as other toxic substances like chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, and zinc
- Mobile phones will be discarded at a rate of 130 million per year by 2005, resulting in 65,000 tons of waste.
Links
Environmental Protection Agency
Basel Action Network