Electronic Waste:What Is It?Where Does It Come From?Why Is It Dangerous?…And How Do We Stop It?

A PodcastByElizabeth R. MillerMarch 2010

Electronic Waste

term used to describe waste materials generated from electronics such as phones, printers, televisions and appliances

Why Is It So Dangerous ?

Electronics can contain chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants and polyvinyl chloride (PVCs)

These chemicals cause cancer, brain disease, reproductive problems, and affect both people and the environment

The Problem Is Growing. Fast.

E-Waste is the largest growing waste source – growing by over 40 million metric tons a year

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates only 15-20% of electronics are recycled – the rest end up in landfills or incinerators

Recycled products are often shipped to developing countries such as India, China and Ghana

One Toxic Waste Site: Guiyu, China

Guiyu, China

Guiyu, China

Guiyu, China

What Can You Do?

First, do not throw away your old electronics!

If they are still working donate them so they can be reused.

If they are no longer and you want to recycle them in a responsible way…..

Electronics TakeBack Coalition

Visit www.computertakeback.com

Electronics TakeBack Coalition

Website allows you to search for responsible recycler in your area….

….if there aren’t any it provides advice on how to learn if the manufacturer of your product offers responsible recycling programs

If all else fails, there are still other retailers like Best Buy who may be able to help

What About the Companies That Make These Products?

Some, like Apple’s TakeBack Program allow consumers to recycle products, but there are some restrictions

Dell also will take back their electronics

www.takebackmytv.com allows you to learn if your television manufacturer is acting responsibly (hint: they probably aren’t)

Moving Forward…

Some manufacturers are acting responsibly, others are not Who is holding them accountable? Who

should? Is it simply a matter of better

education? Should it be mandated by law?

Stay Tuned!

What’s the status of state and federal legislation around e-waste?

Are there other solutions to this problem?