Disposing of E-waste Safely and Responsibly

Have you ever given any thought to what happens to your E-Waste (electronic waste) once they're in the trash?

"Electronic waste" may be defined as all secondary computers, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, and other items such as television sets and refrigerators.

Rapid changes in technology, changes in media, falling prices, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe.

Benefits of Recycling Electronic Waste

Recycling raw materials from end-of-life electronics is likely the most effective solution to the growing e-waste problem. Most of the electronic devices on the market contain a variety of materials, including metals (such as copper, gold and lead) that can be recovered for future uses. By dismantling and providing  possibilities of reusing materials, intact natural resources are conserved, as well as air and water pollution caused by hazardous disposal is avoided. Additionally, recycling reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the manufacturing of new replacement products.

It simply makes good, logical sense to recycle end of life e-waste and do our part to keep the environment green.

Hazardous Components That Can Be Found in Many E-Waste Items

There are a number of different hazardous components found in electronic waste that we want to avoid getting into our landfill sites and potentially contaminating our water supply, including:

americium
beryllium oxide
cadmium
lead
mercury
pbb's (polybrominated biphenyls)
pcb's (polychlorinated biphenyls)
polyvinyl chloride
solder
sulphur

How can you do your part with e-waste?

1. Don't upgrade devices so frequently. Take good care of your electronic devices, so they last a long time. For example: Can you replace one or two components of your computer rather than the entire computer?
2. Bring e-waste to e-waste recycling facilities. Do not throw into your regular household or business trash.
3. Buy used devices or refurbished devices.

Some companies and cities are offering FREE E-Waste drop-off for the convenience of patrons and residents. Check with your local municipality to see if they offer recycling of e-waste.

IMPORTANT RECYCLE TIP: When donating your cell phone or other personal hand-held devices, clear all your personal information from the component's memory. If you need help, contact the manufacturer for instructions on how to reset the device so that any information you had stored is permanently destroyed.

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