Electronic recycling & disposal

Electronic equipment and devices we use everyday—make up the bulk of electronics that contain hazardous waste. These devices include: CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS, RADIOS, TV’S, VCR's CABLE BOXES, etc..

According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CED), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household. (CEA. Market Research Report: Trends in CE Reuse, Recycle and Removal. April 2008), many of these devices become outdated or obsolete at some point and will be considered Electronic waste, or in the industrial term "E-Waste"

Disposing of E-Waste in the landfill is both hazardous and illegal. The EPA has established guidelines and regulations forbidding disposal of E-Waste in a landfill.

While the EPA is working to educate consumers on why it is important to recycle electronics. Many states have passed some legislation to manage end-of-life electronics.

According to a study by Griffith University, 40% of just, LEAD content at landfills is coming from e-waste.

E-Waste corrodes and releases toxic substances such as: mercury, lead, cadmium, lithium, brominated flame retardants, phosphorous coatings and PVC plastics that release dioxins when burned.

E-waste is the cause of 70% of the overall toxic waste in landfills. When E-waste corrodes it breaks down into hazardous materials that can contaminate soil and drinking water. (earth911 . com).

The EPA has determined that e-waste is growing at a tremendously accelerated speed at 2-3 times faster than other waste products.

“Going green” consumer education programs are widely being accepted by the general public. The choice to recycle electronics is becoming more understood. With consumers continually upgrading their personal electronics, there has never been a greater need to dispose of unwanted, broken, end-of-life electronic devices in a responsible way.

It is now known that it is not a good idea to throw electronic equipment in the trash, but most people does not really know why it is so dangerous and how important is electronic recycling.

Most people will never consider their cell phones dangerous, disposing cell phones in a landfill will contribute to the toxic waste found at landfills.

Cell phones and smart phones - have an average of an 18 month shelf life. Currently there are 500 million cell phones ready for disposal. Everyone has a cell phone these days. which will get lost, broken or get upgraded at some point, those cell phones have a coating that can contain dangerous LEAD. The BATTERY is the most hazardous component in the phone. Previously cell phones had nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) and nickel metal batteries. Cadmium has been linked to humans as a carcinogen, a cancer causing agent, that causes lung & liver damage. Newer phone batteries contain the potential explosive LITHIUM Ion batteries or Lead.

Computers recycling of all types such as MAC & PC's are constructed of parts. These parts include: circuit boards, hard drive, CPU, memory chips and batteries. The electronic waste consists of compounds that are used in the components. These components may still be in working order, yet the need for upgrade and disposal are eminent. Businesses upgrade as well as end users all the time.

Computer parts contain hazardous materials such as:

Laptop fluorescent lamps containing mercury.
Circuit boards contain Lead & Cadmium.
Batteries are made of mercury.

Electronics recycling is a very important issue those days, the information brought complimentary by B.W. Recycling, Inc, electronic recycling services Hallandale, Florida, USA.