Facts About Plastic Casing
Computer monitors, alarm clocks, televisions and stereos are all composed of plastic. Plastic casing allows for all the components of an item to be contained in one element. Due to our advances in technology, high numbers of electronics are disposed of as e-waste. In fact, approximately two million tons of electronic products were discarded of in 2005, with only 15 to 20 percent being recycled.
These items included:
- TVs
- Printers
- Faxers
- Scanners
- Keyboards
- PCs
- Cell phones
- Mice
Some recycled electronics are sent off to developing countries with the intention of being reused. Since many of the products break along the way, they are often burned down into raw materials instead. With plastic casing containing chemicals such as PBDE (Polybrominated diphenylethers), burning them is not the healthiest option.
Approximately 90 percent of computer contents can be reused or recycled. Do your part by recycling your plastic casing whenever possible.
- "Computer Hardware: Information about Computer Cases" Computer Hope, 2008 http://www.computerhope.com/help/cases.htm.
- "Computer Scraps Recycling" GM Engineering http://www.ledarecycling.it/systems/computer_scraps.htm. LEDA Recycling.
- (12/31/1969). "eCycling: Frequent Questions" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/faq.htm#benefits.
