Home Organic
  • Home
  • Articles
  • My Story
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Beta Articles

Environmental Benefits of Recycling Electronics and Computer Products

11/1/2011

4 Comments

 
By: Susan Nusink

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates the average American household has 24 electronic products. As these electronics become outdated, they are replaced with the newest models. This results in almost 2 million tons of used electronics being abandoned each year. Dumping electronics in the landfill is illegal in many states. Over half the states have laws regarding the disposal and recycling of electronics.

Many people don’t realize that computers and computer related electronics contain hazardous waste. Among the chemicals that are found in these products are barium, phosphorus, cadmium, mercury, chromium, beryllium, and lead. If these products are tossed into landfills, there is a chance of these chemicals being leached into the groundwater. Televisions and computer monitors house on average four to eight pounds of lead. Electronics are responsible for 40% of the lead found in landfills. Lead is known to be harmful to the peripheral and central nervous systems and kidneys in humans. It can also have detrimental effects on the developing brain.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned about proper disposal of electronics and is focused on providing certified places to recycle these items. When electronics are disposed of at a certified recycling center, many materials from these products are able to be reused. This decreases the need to mine for new materials.

The EPA calculates that up to 90% of electronic products can be recycled. Here are some examples of what can be recovered:

·         Glass cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are sent to smelters and the glass is recycled and the lead retrieved.

·         Plastic housing is ground down and made into items like pothole mix and retaining blocks.

·         Circuit boards and chips are often used to upgrade outdated electronics. They can also be recycled for scrap.

In addition to environmental benefits of recycling, you can also receive a tax deduction when you recycle with a nonprofit organization. You are allowed to deduct the current market value of a computer you recycle. If the product is newer than five years, you can generally donate it to a school for a tax deduction.

When you are looking for a place to recycle your electronics, be sure to use a recycler that is certified with the EPA to ensure they recycle in an environmentally responsible way. Benefits of environmentally sound recycling include:

·         Decrease environmental and human health impacts.

·         Provide access to refurbished and reusable equipment to those in need.

·         Conserve natural resources and reduce mining efforts.

·         Reduce energy and pollution that would come from making new products.

4 Comments
rachel frampston link
9/11/2019 12:26:07 pm

I have a laptop that I've been using for nine years, now that it's broken I was just planning to throw it away. Thank you for sharing this article, it has opened my mind to the hazardous effects of electronic waste when tossed into the landfills. Now, that I am more knowledgeable, it's time for me to take action and look for a company that could help me recycle my laptop.

Reply
Rosie Beckett link
7/20/2020 10:30:03 am

I had no idea that 90 percent of electronics can actually be recycled, including things like circuit boards and plastic housing. This makes me think that I should try to recycle the old laptop that I used in college ten years ago. It's been sitting in my basement for a long time just gathering dust, so it would be great to get rid of it and help the environment at the same time.

Reply
Charlotte Fleet link
1/6/2021 03:26:22 pm

I thought it very interesting that approximately 90% of all electronics are able to be recycled. I think that it would be very beneficial for the environment for people to find a reputable recycling service that can recycle old electronics. Thank you for your very interesting article on recycling electronics, Susan.

Reply
kate hansen link
1/19/2021 12:40:48 pm

I loved how you mentioned that you can get a tax deduction when recycling computers! My brother was at my house for lunch a couple of weeks ago, and he was telling me about how he has some computers at his work that doesn't work, and he was wondering how he should get rid of them. I'll make sure to pass this informant along to him so that he can look into hiring a professional that can get rid of them for him.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture
    Beverages
    Chemicals
    Cleaning Supplies
    Clothing
    Composting
    Education
    Energy Efficiency
    Entertainment
    Environment
    Farming
    Food
    Health & Beauty
    Home & Office
    Household Products
    Ingredients
    Lifestyle
    Manufacturing
    Novelty
    Parenting
    Personal Care
    Recycling
    Solar Panels
    Sports Nutrition
    Technology
    Transportation

    Archives

    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.