E- waste: A Recyclable Resource

Justin Holcombe is a contributing writer for Earth 911. Become an Earth 911 contributor.

In the 1970s, Gordon E. Moore theorized that computer processing power doubles about every 18 months especially relative to cost or size. His theory, known as Moore’s Law, has proved largely true. Thinner, sleeker, and faster computers have replaced the big boxes and monitors people once owned ten years ago.

This phenomenon is not limited to computers. Each day, various types of consumer electronics are constantly being upgraded or completely scrapped in favor of technological advancements. In the process, scores of old VCRs, walkman cassette decks and bulky video cameras become what is known as “e-waste” or electronic waste.

Americans have amassed an enormous amount of electronic devices—an estimated three billion in total. Given the large amount of potential products involved, e-waste includes a broad range of electronic devices. Unfortunately, improper disposal of e-waste creates a significant burden on landfills because toxic substances can leach into the soil and groundwater. Absent recycling, the problem could escalate.

The total annual global volume of e-waste is expected to reach about 40 million metric tons. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that we generated 1.5 billion pounds of all kinds of e-waste in 2006. This includes an estimated 44 million computers and televisions.

This amount is likely to increase because e-waste is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste. Although e-waste accounts for only one to four percent of municipal waste, it may be responsible for as much as 70 percent of the heavy metals in landfills, including 40 percent of all lead.

Certain items are particularly harmful. For instance, “CRT-based computer and television monitors contain on average 4lbs. to 8lbs. of lead, a highly toxic heavy metal.”

E-waste should not be considered waste. It is a resource. Useful materials such as glass, copper, aluminum, plastic and other components can often be extracted and reused. Some manufacturers have even referred to e-waste as a valuable source of materials.

With an increasing array of environmentally-friendly options now available, people should consider recycling or donating their old electronic devices. With either choice, we can reduce the amount of e-waste and actually put our old items to good use.

Sources:

• Environmental Protection Agency, Management of Electronic Waste in the United States, available at http://www.epa.gov/e-Cycling/docs/fact4-30-07.pdf

• Morgan O’Rourke, “Killer computers: the growing problem of e-waste,” Risk Management 12(5) (Oct 2004).

• Tom Young, “UN steps up to e-waste issue,” Computing 4 (March 15, 2007).

• Jan H. Schut, “Recycling e-plastics,” Plastics Technology 48 (August 2007).

• Jon Farber, “E-waste disposal a growing problem; Risk managers should help develop corporate policy.” Business Insurance 39 (May 16, 2005); See also, Stone, Brad, “Recycling: Tech Trash, E-Waste: By Any Name, It’s an Issue,” Newsweek 11 (Dec 12, 2005)(stating that “U.S. homes and businesses alone dispose of 133,000 PCs each day”).

• Environmental Protection Agency, Electronics: A New Opportunity for. Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling, available at http://www.epa.gov/osw/elec_fs.pdf

• Moises Velasquez-Manoff, “How do you make electronics easier to recycle?” The Christian Science Monitor 13 (March 8, 2007).

• “Staying Green with Consumer Electronics,” Sound & Video Contractor (Online Exclusive) (April 16, 2007).